how it works
The tool is just made from a coat hanger bent in half and a little hook on each leg made with a pair of needle nose pliers. Like I said, cost is free (if you have a coat hanger you can spare) and it works better than any of these tools they charge you 20 bucks for. I used this for 5/8 line but if you are using smaller diameter line you can do the same thing, and I have done it, with stiff wire, seizing wire will probably work if you twist it to make it stiff.
How to use the magic_splice_tool
I can't draw pictures since I don't have a CAD system anymore so follow if you have experience otherwise refer to a web site that has splicing instructions illustrated. Just use this tool instead of the ones described: 1. Multiply 24 times the diameter of the line. Measure that length and mark the letter A with a pen. 2. measure two times the line diameter farther down the line and mark B with a pen. 3. Make aloop of desired eye size from B to C and mark C on the line with a pen. Move down the line eight diameters and mark point CC with a pen. 4. 6 feet from C along the line make a overhand knot with a bight of line. 5. Use a pick to open up the braid and extract the core at point C. Mark the core at point C as point D as soon as you start to extract it. 6. Insert the coat hanger tool into the core a little way and hook the hooks through the braid. Using a piece of whipping twine wrap the tool and core tightly and then wrap a few wraps of masking tape over it. The hooks will provide positive grip on the core and the twine and tape prevent it from coming apart. 7. Insert the coat hanger tool at point A and work it through the outer sheath past point C to come out at point CC. 8. Remove the tool from the core. Reattach the tool to the end of the sheath in the same manner as described. 9. Pull more core out of sheath from end of line towards the overhand knot. From point D move down the core 8 diameters of line and mark point DD. 10. Insert the coat hanger tool attached to the sheath at point DD of the core and work it through the core to bury the sheath inside the core. 11. Work the loose end of the core and the sheath to tighten the crossover. 12. Cut the coat hanger tool loose from the sheath on a very long angle (this creates the taper in the sheath). Let the sheath disappear inside the core 13. Place the loop from the bight of the overhand knot over a cleat, or a post or tie the line around a pole, Starting at the overhand knot (6 feet down the line) start milking the sheath down over the core and crossover until marks B and C are matched up. I try to bury mark B. Cut off the loose end of the core still protruding at point CC and bury it. 14. With a needle and whipping twine whip the throat of the eye splice to give it additional strength. This can be very confusing without illustrations but I hope experienced splicers will understand. Once you do it a few times it is pretty easy. My tool design works really great, it is strong, stiff for working it thru the line, and does not have sharp edges to snag fibers in the line and cause it to jam up. I made a few dozen splices in 5/8 braid building a series drogue and I found the tool far superior to tools I bought and hated.
Dave
