Fid Kits

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Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
There are many fid splicing kits on the market today. I have the old style Samson Kit and it is slow and cumbersome. I will be doing a lot of splicing of double braided nylon and double braided polyester in the near future. I have never used anything other than the Samson kit. The Uni-Fid seems to be one step above the Samson Kit, but I have never used it. Then there is also the Selma Fid Kit and the Brion Toss Fid. On paper , they both seem like worlds above the others. Does anyone here have any experience with anything other than the Samson and how would you rate them? Tony B
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
I have Brian Toss' fid and have nothing but praise for it.

It is made with a snare inside a stainless steel tube. You enter the cover in the usual manner and snare the tail and pull it into the cover. No taping and no slipping .
 
Mar 21, 2004
2,175
Hunter 356 Cobb Island, MD
Also have Brian's fid

Won't leave home without it. If you get this one, make sure you also get the video. It explains in very easy terms on how to splice many different lines.
 
Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
Question ????

The fact that 2 people are actually bragging about the Brion Toss fid is amazing. I have been using the Samson fid for many years and most people either A) say they work but its a PITA which i subscribe to or B) They give up and never use it. I looked at the Brion Toss website and there is not much info on it. My questions are: 1) Do you pull the cores and covers as opposed to pushing them through? This makes more sense. 2) Do you still use the same technique that is recommended by Samson and New England Rope other than the fact that you pull instead of push? 3) Do you guys have a photo of this fid? I am not cheap and dont mind spending the 100 bucks as long as its a good product. The main attraction to me is not having to *fool with tape. Thanks Tony B
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
My Instructions are on Bietzpadlin so I will have to go from memory

Answers to Number 1&2 is yes. Answer to Number 3 is I was going to scam the book for you but I can't today. Brief discription is as follows. Black handle about 6 inches long with a 1/4 inch SS tube wand ground to a long taper like a hypodermic needle with the point blunted by melting to form a small bead. There is a binding thumb screw to hold the wand in place. Loosening the screw allows retracting the wand and exposes the snare. The tail is threaded into the snare and the wand is extended to capture the tail in the snare. In use the snare is first retracted into the wand and the wand is entered into the cover or core and then you snare the tail that you want to pull in. This is done to bury the core and the cover and then you proceed as you would by having used any other method of getting to this stage. The tails are tapered in the normal manner. No tape is used. Toss recommends leaving a couple of cover strands hanging loose to use to sew the throat of the eye.
 
Jun 12, 2004
1,181
Allied Mistress 39 Ketch Kemah,Tx.
Thanks Ross

No need to scan. You have answered my questions. I get'the picture'. A Brion Toss Fid Kit it is. Thanks again Tony B
 

Phil Herring

Alien
Mar 25, 1997
4,922
- - Bainbridge Island
Doesn't look like anything we can get

But you can find it here (see link below).
 
Dec 8, 2007
478
Irwin 41 CC Ketch LaConner WA
His own design

This was Designed by Brian and is as far as i know only marketed thru his website...It realy is a slick labor saving tool...One you say " Now why didnt I think of that".. He is a great guy and as Coincidence has it ..I placed a call to him today to see how much he would charge me to come figure out a few things on my boat..
 
Jun 13, 2005
559
Irwin Barefoot 37 CC Sloop Port Orchard WA
Went to the link and guess what

I have the Clamptite tool that was pictured above and use it almost exclusively for hose clamps. I got it at a product demo at the Seattle boatshow last year and I think its great. I was wondering where they were sold. I think I got it for a bit less though.
 

Dave Groshong

SBO Staff
Staff member
Jan 25, 2007
1,867
Catalina 22 Seattle
Not to hijack the thread......

but this is a very cool product: http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=1200&
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Dave , A needle full of twine costs a nickel.

But then I keep a palm ,needle and a spool of twine on hand. ;D
 
Feb 5, 2007
73
Catalina 27 Standard Rig Point Cadet Marina, Biloxi, MS
Both

I do all my own splicing, three strand dock warps and double braided ropes. I used the Uni-fid but found the little hooks caught unless I wrapped the connection in tape. That always made a larger area that jammed when pulled through cores and covers. I now use Samsons and don't have problems. I guess it is what you find you like. But it sure is a good feeling to do those old sailing skills, comes in handy too.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Dave I can sew an eye into the end of a braided line.

It is simple. Wrap the line onto the thimble with a 12 diameter long tail. Seize the tail to the standing part with a 2 diameter long siezing. Stitch the tail to the standing part with stitches through both one diameter apart and seize the end of the tail of the tail to the standing part with tight turns 2 diameters long , stitch back to the throat filling the gaps left by the first stitches. Secure the end of the twine.
 
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