Brian, Did you ever try my coat hanger tool for making eye splices. I found it in the bottom of my sewing supplies yesterday. Basically just take a metal coat hanger and undo the ends and straighten it out. Now bend it exactly in half. Now twist it a few times to keep the two wires joined. Now on the very ends take a pair of pliers and bend a small hook on each wire. Doesn't need to be long but keep it as close to the wires as possible. When you go to pass the sheath thru the core put the two hooks inside the sheath and then use the hooks to "hook" the braid on either side. Now take some whipping twin and wrap the shaeth and hooks a few times to hold it all together. Finish it by a few wraps of masking tape, be careful not to let the diameter get too big. Now when you pass the sheath thru the core it can't fall apart on you since the hooks are grabbing the braid. I tried splicing tools from samson, then I tried a special tool I bought from sailrite (it broke after a few splices) then I stopped and thought about it and said how would I design a tool like the sailrite one to do the same thing but never worry about it breaking. The answer was the coathanger. It is much easier to use than any of the expensive tools you buy, it is basically free, and you can get one almost anywhere and anytime. if anyone wants more info just ask. dave