Fiddling with Fids

Apex · May 10, 2018

once the fids arrive, put the eye splice on the other end of your current mainsheet. Once subjected to use, splicing becomes more difficult. The current tail end will not have been worked.

If you really want a challenge, try splicing parallel innercore line like sta-set-X . If you figure that one out, let me know.

jssailem · May 10, 2018

Brian.. Splicing is being patient and following the steps. I like the Samson method.
You can find a list of splice instructions here.
http://www.samsonrope.com/Pages/Splice_Instructions.aspx#PDF
The class 1 eye splice for used rope is the one I often use. The correct tools are important.
The Brian Tosh tool can be helpful when you can not get the fid to work. You can also use a smaller fid to push the lines through, but use the correct size fid for the measurements. I find that electrical tape is a great tool to secure that stuffed line in the end of the fid.
The working of the rope to finish and smooth the splice is always the an issue with older rope. It just takes time and persistence. If your lines is longer than needed, you can always cut the end off and then try again on the same end of the line.
Good luck and send us pictures.

Joe · May 10, 2018

Brian.......Trying to thread a long section in one pass can sometimes be difficult... as you experienced with the fid being strangled. So, try breaking the pass into two or three sub sections by exiting the fid through the cover, pulling the rope with it... then re enter in the same spot and work on the next sub section.

thinwater · May 10, 2018

A sewn eye is also a practical alternative. There are several alternatives, most as strong as the rope if done properly (most industrial rope slings are sewn rather than spliced. One of the simplest is a seizing, followed by two 3 inch passes of stitching (basting stitch), followed by another seizing at the tail. Use #4-8 whipping twine doubled. For a low-chafe application like this, no cover is required. This is done on sails all the time.

Also very handy on used double braid rope, which can be a bastard to splice--that is mostly where I use this trick.

BobbyFunn · May 10, 2018

Brian D said:
This is geared more toward the sailor who is thinking about replacing lines that have eye-splices. You old kosher salts already know about this issue.

Well I learned a lesson this morning. It was a lesson I have known my whole life: use the right tool for the right job. How could I possibly forget?

The task at hand was to replace my mainsheet. OK, seem simple enough. I look and see the mainsheet has an eye splice in the line. OK, time to study how to do an eye splice. (I had a similar task with my dock lines several months ago and passed that with flying colors. But the dock lines were 3-strand, not double braid).

Also, some time ago I order fids for just such an occasion. Got my tools out, prepared the 3/8 double braid for surgery, and had my morning Joe, so all was good.

Except, the diameter of the PLASTIC fids was too wide for the rope. I made three attempts to pass the core of the rope through the cover. Totaly failure. The cover of the rope was compressing on the fid because the fid was too wide. And this was the smallest fid I had.

OK, I should have spent the extra $$ and purchased REAL fids. So today I order Selma Fids from the SBO store. Could have gotten them cheaper but I like to support SBO. As soon as I get the new fids I will finish this project. I did replace the mainsheet already but used a bowline instead of an eye-splice. But I still want to do that.

Lesson learned.

Hon....why are you taping rope to my crochet needle.

BobbyFunn · May 10, 2018

Sta-set 3/8" yacht braid. Has lasted 3 years with dog that chews the line. Leash is for a moodle.

All U Get · May 10, 2018

I use a little Dawn to get the core to slide easier, then soak the line with water. Some of my splices on old line worked out nicely with this method.

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi · May 14, 2018

Have been trying to eye splice myself for a new 7/16 Stan set outhaul. I got aluminum fids but am having a hard time with reinserting the core where two cores wind up in one cover. Have used smaller fid, electrical tape but it acts like one of those Chinese finger things I used to get at the county fair when I was a Kid! Got to be a trick to it. Looks easy on YouTube, not so in my experience. What is the trick?

All U Get · May 14, 2018

I have cut several strands back to insert the core and use masking tape keeping the edges smooth so as not to pick up any threads from the cover. That’s where I use the Dawn soap.

jssailem · May 15, 2018

Yes @Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi that is an issue. I’ve not tried the soap a lubricant. It is worth a try. I have made it work by using s Fids one size down. I also work the vid through it steps rather than all the way to the take out point. With old line, once the cover has been worked through using the fid, then comes the working of the cover to blend the lines smooth. This can be work. I other wear leather gloves to work the line so the cover is smoothed all the way. Takes time and persistance. Trick with old or dirty line is to get it as cleans as possible before beginning to splice it. Work the line in your hands to loosen the cover grip on the line and as much of the dirt out first. Real old line sometimes can not buried spliced. That is when you either trtiremthr Ling or use a side by side whip splice. Almost as strong as the buried splice.

Meriachee · May 15, 2018

First try today. Makes me wonder what’s about to go wrong.

Solitude · May 15, 2018

This is the best youtube video I have seen for a eye splice in double braid line. New England Ropes. Step by step with a couple of insider methods. New line is much easier that line that has been used.

Meriachee · May 15, 2018

Brian D said:
The video makes it look SO EASY.

One of the things that you can deviate with is the use of a much smaller fid to pass the core and the cover with.
Using the "proper" sized one to do the markings gives you the exit marks in the right place. This is a particularly good trick when you are inserting the core back in at the last step. The smallest fid can easily be milked along between the cover and the existing core.
Make sure that you don't twist the core or the cover during any of the processes, and when the cover or the core go back into the assembly, make sure they are straight, and there's no sign of wrapping. That's easy to miss, and makes milking it out at the end a bear.

If there's any burrs or sharp edges at all on the fid, and you probably can't feel any, they will catch on strands. You can use cut polish, the gelcoat restorer with the grit to polish up a fid.

Dan_Y · May 15, 2018

Took me 3 hours each to make two double braided halyards with loops. Decided the extra $15 to have west marine do it was worth it when I needed a loop. Then I discovered the halyard knot. I will use it first when ever possible.
Dan

Terry Cox · May 15, 2018

jssailem said:
Splicing is being patient and following the steps. I like the Samson method.

Hi John, good insight. Have you done a double braid constant diameter butt splice before? Need to do one on our boat for the double line furling.

Dan_Y · May 15, 2018

Try this...looks complicated though. :-/

Fiddling with Fids

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