How's the splice today?

[pantheraba]

Y'all are doing some beautiful work...thanks for posting it.

 

[NHlocal]

 

[bonner1040]

Here is an 8mm TVP eye and eye on a small Pinto... Consistent diameter with overlapping buries.

 

[Burnham]

Better and better. Really pretty, Nick and Adrian both.

I ought to take that up as a retirement hobby, like quilting or somesuch. Might do so, come winter .

 

[rangerdanger]

Thanks man, good too read you on here again.

 

[Burnham]

Thanks, young master. And I write that with no nudge nudge wink wink, A. You have passed many of your early mentors, and are now one yourself.

 

[bonner1040]

THe force is strong with that one. I think you should take up some splicing Burnham. Its incredibly satisfying, and being able to make my own custom length stuff, splicing things that noone else would splice just for the heck of it, its really cool.

Watching this video convinced me to try it...

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UjYvaoLOGOg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And this video gave me the best instructions...

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UghIS9xdiDw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I havent spliced anything other than CLass 1 Double Braid, but its very easy to do if you take you time and use the proper tools. I have the OP and the rigging lines down pat.

 

[NHlocal]

Nick,
I gotta say, never having done any splicing, I kinda followed the first video.
The second video I could follow, very clear on instruction.
Now all I gotta do is find time to watch it about 5 more times to really understand what's being done
so I can learn to do it myself.....I think I got "the itch to splice".....

Thanks a lot..... :roll:

 

[rskybiz]

Nick the first vid was splice porn! Thanks for those I think my next rain day will find me attempting a few.

 

[bonner1040]

I met Jake at the Ohio tcc. He is a great climber, a nice guy, and an accomplished splicer. He did a great job with that video.

 

[NHlocal]

Nick,
what would I need for "basic" tools for splicing? What would a "poor man's" splicing tool kit contain?
I've got some 10mm Ocean cord laying around "waiting to be used".

 

[rskybiz]

Quite sure you can get by with a ruler, some mechanics wire, and a piece of coat hanger.

 

[bonner1040]

Randy,

I use a wire fid, which can be bought for around $12. However I bought 170' of .045" Piano wire for $10 so I have an quasi-unlimited supply. In addition to a wire fid you will need, a tape measure/yard stick, a sharpie, a sewing awl or marlin spike, a good needle (I use doll needles), whipping, pliers, masking tape, and something strong to pull against. Some scraps of rope and a carabiner or two can be helpful as well

If you are interested, when I send out your stuff I can include enough piano wire to make your own small and large wire fids, 20' of whipping (I have a 500' spool), and a needle. So the only things you would have to buy would be an awl/marlin spike, assuming you have pliers, masking tape, ruler/yardstick and a sharpie.

Awl - $3 http://www.amazon.com/Tailoring-Sup...en&ie=UTF8&qid=1369344515&sr=1-3&keywords=awl
or
Marlin Spike - $21 https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=298&item=1869

I have an awl and its fine, but a Marlinspike seems like it would be better.

You could likely do some basic double braids with a coat hanger, a needle and a sharpie but thats barebones. One other thing I would highly recommend is a Sail Palm, it will save you pain, suffering and time. A sail palm is a strap of leather that holds a sewing thimble inside the fat of your thumb so you can easily and safely push a needle through the throat of the splice which can be really difficult. I seem to need pliers to pull it through the other side usually but maybe I am doing something wrong.

Sail Palm $22 -
http://www.amazon.com/Sail-Palms-26...UTF8&qid=1369344923&sr=8-1&keywords=sail+palm

While you are at it get a Speedy Stitching Awl (not the same as the awl I listed above, totally different function) for $14. It isnt really used in splicing but its super handy for making homemade stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/Speedy-Stitch...UTF8&qid=1369344923&sr=8-2&keywords=sail+palm

 

[NHlocal]

Nick the first vid was splice porn! Thanks for those I think my next rain day will find me attempting a few.

I met Jake at the Ohio tcc. He is a great climber, a nice guy, and an accomplished splicer. He did a great job with that video.

+1

Quite sure you can get by with a ruler, some mechanics wire, and a piece of coat hanger.

That's even better than the "poor man's kit", it's the "broke man's kit", I can do that! Thanks!

 

[NHlocal]

Randy,

I use a wire fid, which can be bought for around $12. However I bought 170' of .045" Piano wire for $10 so I have an quasi-unlimited supply. In addition to a wire fid you will need, a tape measure/yard stick, a sharpie, a sewing awl or marlin spike, a good needle (I use doll needles), whipping, pliers, masking tape, and something strong to pull against. Some scraps of rope and a carabiner or two can be helpful as well

If you are interested, when I send out your stuff I can include enough piano wire to make your own small and large wire fids, 20' of whipping (I have a 500' spool), and a needle. So the only things you would have to buy would be an awl/marlin spike, assuming you have pliers, masking tape, ruler/yardstick and a sharpie.

Awl - $3 http://www.amazon.com/Tailoring-Sup...en&ie=UTF8&qid=1369344515&sr=1-3&keywords=awl
or
Marlin Spike - $21 https://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=298&item=1869

I have an awl and its fine, but a Marlinspike seems like it would be better.

You could likely do some basic double braids with a coat hanger, a needle and a sharpie but thats barebones. One other thing I would highly recommend is a Sail Palm, it will save you pain, suffering and time. A sail palm is a strap of leather that holds a sewing thimble inside the fat of your thumb so you can easily and safely push a needle through the throat of the splice which can be really difficult. I seem to need pliers to pull it through the other side usually but maybe I am doing something wrong.

Sail Palm $22 -
http://www.amazon.com/Sail-Palms-26...UTF8&qid=1369344923&sr=8-1&keywords=sail+palm

While you are at it get a Speedy Stitching Awl (not the same as the awl I listed above, totally different function) for $14. It isnt really used in splicing but its super handy for making homemade stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/Speedy-Stitch...UTF8&qid=1369344923&sr=8-2&keywords=sail+palm

Oops, didn't see your post until I posted mine.
Nick, that would be great!!! I am definitely going to at the very least try a few splices, so if you are able to send those things out I would REALLY appreciate it!!!

Here it comes,
Thanks again!!!!!

Time to go, back in a couple hours.....

 

[bonner1040]

It is much easier and more enjoyable with proper tools. I will send you piano wire, needle and whipping. Buy an Awl for <$5 at Joann fabrics or any craft store.

 

[bonner1040]

And scissors, it cant be done without scissors.

FWIW, 10mm OP will be hard with a coat hanger.

 

[NHlocal]

It is much easier and more enjoyable with proper tools. I will send you piano wire, needle and whipping. Buy an Awl for <$5 at Joann fabrics or any craft store.

And scissors, it cant be done without scissors.

FWIW, 10mm OP will be hard with a coat hanger.

Nick,
total newbie question, any specific type of awl or is there just a general purpose awl..... ?
Scissors are no problem, I've got a few good pair of those.

If the OP is hard with a coat hanger should I invest in some quality tools???
.....suggestions,recommendations.....??? Or just go with what you listed off in the earlier post?
Lookin' forward to "finding time" to do my first splice.....

 

[CurSedVoyce]

HA... one of the kids broke a guitar string.. I am snagging it for my splicing bag

 

[NHlocal]

HA... one of the kids broke a guitar string.. I am snagging it for my splicing bag

HEY!!! I still have a set of my old guitar strings, I just went and got 'em out!!!
They're on my stand beside me right now!

 

[bonner1040]

I wouldnt buy anything except a cheapo awl... There are sewing awls which have channels and threading holes etc, that is not what you want (that is a speedy stitcher, which is cool but not for splicing), you want a plain awl, looks like a leather punch or something. It is basically a conical tapered piece of steel with a handle. You use it to spread the cover strands, extract the core, remove the taper strands in the cover, and all sorts of general purpose stuff.

A marlin spike is just a splicing specialized awl, it has a more extreme taper so it spreads the fibers more with less effort.

Like I said, I will put some whipping twine and a 6' of .045" wire in the box that I send you in the next few days. If you pick up an awl (or marlin spike) you should have everything else you need or be able to get it at a Walmart. I will throw a short piece of 1/2" double braid in to practice on if you want.

Here are the directions I use and the fid length table.

Directions
http://www.neropes.com/Splicing Guide Individual Splices/DOUBLE_BRAID_EYE_SPLICE.pdf

Fid length table
http://www.neropes.com/SplGuide_CategoryLandingDoubleBraid.aspx

What I never understood looking at the pictures was that after separating the core and jacket, the core exits the rope at the lowest Y and then goes into the empty jacket backwards (or at least opposite what I always assumed it would). Anyway, it makes a ton more sense when you do it. Keep in mind that these instructions are for using a 'push' tube fid, a 'pull' wire fid is easier but instead of inserting at C and pushing through to D you insert the fid at D pop it out at C then PULL the core through from C>>D as opposed to pushing it.. I am sure thats clear as mud !!

 

[CurSedVoyce]

I am noticing a trend... Most guys that do really nice splices and love doing it A LOT, do not have kids

 

[bonner1040]

I would have kids doing my scissor work. Here, cut this strand, then this one, then this one, one more, last one... Good job!

 

[NHlocal]

Nick,
I don't know about mud but what you said seems pretty clear, more like really weak coffee(yuk!)than mud.
Remembering what was explained in the second splicing video you posted, the way you worded it makes sense to me.

Wait a minute!!! It just hit me, you said you're going to send a box out in a few days?!?!?!
Now you did it, I'll never get to sleep tonight, I'm WAY too excited..... No, seriously, does that mean you're finishing up that second piece of gear? That'll be great! Really, REALLY appreciate all your help.

 

[bonner1040]

All thats left is some lock stitching and some whipping. I will take some photos but I wont post them until you get the package.. Remember what I told you, I am a sadist!