Splicing

DOUBLE BRAID SPLICING INSTRUCTIONS

IMPORTANT - The correct size and type of fid related to the size of rope must be used.

Excluding the marks on strand pairs of the sheath where cutting for tapering takes place there are 4 principal marks to be made on the sheath and 3 on the core.

These marks should be very clearly defined and readily identifiable.

Chinagraph pencils or similar are recommended for marking.

1. Marking Off

• Tape end of rope to be spliced with one layer of adhesive tape.
• From this end measure one fid length along the rope and mark (Point R reference).
• Form a loop equal to the size of the eye required and mark the rope opposite to Point R.
• This second mark is Point X at which the core is extracted from inside the sheath.
• From Point X measure towards centre of rope 1/2 fid length and mark rope. This mark is Point Y.
• Tie a slip knot approximately five fid lengths from Point X or in the case of ropes over 24mm dia. pass a spike through the rope to lock core and sheath.
• If the eye has to be formed around a thimble use the method detailed in the "Notes for Guidance" section.

2. Extracting the Core

• Bend the rope sharply at Point X and with a spike or similar sharp tool open up the sheath by spreading the sheath yarns until the core is exposed for a suitable distance.
• Pry the core through the sheath and then pull the core completely out of the sheath from the Point of Extraction X to the end of the rope.
• Tape the end of the core with one layer of adhesive tape.
• Holding the exposed core slide the sheath towards the slip knot (or spike) as far as it will go, then firmly smooth the sheath away from the slip knot (or spike) towards the taped end until all sheath slackness is removed.
• On completion of this step, mark the core where it comes out of the sheath. This can be termed Mark 1.

3. Marking the Core

• Once again slide the sheath towards the slip knot (or spike) to expose more of the core.
• From Mark 1 already made, measure along the core towards Point X a distance equal to the short section of the fid and make two heavy parallel marks.
• These marks can be termed Mark 2. From Mark 2 measure in the same direction one f id length plus another short section of the fid and make three heavy parallel marks. These can be termed Mark 3.

4. Marking the Sheath for Tapering

• The sheath strands are in pairs and an equal number of pairs go around the rope in the right and left hand directions.
• Starting at Point R and working towards the taped end of the sheath, count 11 consecutive strand pairs which go around the rope to the right (or left).
• Mark the sheath at the 11th pair and this mark, which can be termed Point T, should be made completely around the sheath.
• Starting at T and working towards the taped end of the sheath, count and mark every second pair of right strands for a total of six.
• Again starting at T count and mark every second pair of left strands for a total of six.

5. Tapering

• Remove tape from end of sheath and starting with the last marked pair of strands nearest the end of the sheath, cut and pull them out I right and left hand).
• Cut and pull out next marked strands and continue until Point T is #reached. Do not cut strands beyond Point T.
• After removal of the cut yarns re-tape the tapered ends of the sheath.

6. Inserting the Sheath Inside the Core

• Insert the fid into core at Mark 2 and slide it through and out at Mark 3.
• Add additional adhesive tape to the tapered sheath end until it can be jammed into the hollow end of the fid.
• Hold core lightly at Mark 3, place pusher point into the taped end of the sheath where it is jammed in the hollow end of the fid and push fid and sheath through from Mark 2 and out at Mark 3.
• When using metal fids for the larger sized ropes, screw the hollow end onto the taped sheath. Do not attempt to screw the sheath into the fid as this action produces undesirable twist in the sheath.
• When the fid is firm on the sheath work or 'milk' the braided core over the fid during the operation of pushing the fid through from Mark 2 to Mark 3.
• Remove fid from sheath and continue to pull sheath through core until Point T on the sheath meets Mark 2.
• Remove tape from end of sheath.

7. Returning the Core into Sheath

• Insert the fid at T and jam the taped core end tightly into the hollow end of the fid.
• Using the pusher, push the f id and core into sheath until they come through sheath at Point X.
• Having inserted core through hollow sheath to Point X pass f id between core and sheath of standing part and bring out through sheath at Point Y.
• If fid penetrates sheath before Point X is reached re-insert at the penetrating point after pulling the core through to this point. For larger sized ropes using metal fids proceed in this operation by firstly screwing the f id onto the core (and not vice versa) and milk' the sheath over the fid whilst pulling from T to X.
• Depending upon the size of the eye, the fid may not be of sufficient length to reach from T to X in one pass, in which case penetrate the sheath and re-insert, as described above.

8. Burying of Core Tail

• Bring crossover up tight by pulling on core tail at Y then on tapered sheath at Mark 3.
• Holding crossover tightly smooth out firmly all excess braid away from crossover towards Point X and then towards Mark 3. Tapered sheath will disappear at Mark 3.
• Mark core tail through sheath at Point X - this new mark to be Mark Z. Pull core tail out till Mark Z is exposed beyond Mark Y.
• Measure and mark 1/3 rd fid length from Mark Z towards end of core and cut at this last mark.
• Reduce core size by cutting out one strand from each strand pair progressively around the circumference of the rope at Mark Z. The tails of the remaining strands should be cut to random lengths to stagger the lump effect when they are buried back into the rope.
• Smooth out the sheath section of the eye from the crossover towards Mark X and the core tail should disappear inside the sheath at Mark Y and check that Mark Z is now visible through the sheath at Mark X.

9. Burying the Exposed Core

• Hold rope at slip knot (or spike) and with other hand 'milk' sheath towards the splice, gently at first and then more firmly. Sheath will slide over Mark 3, Mark 2, the crossover and Point R.Continue burying until all sheath slackness between slip knot (or spike) and loop has been removed.
• With used rope see 'Notes for Guidance' section.

10. Finishing the Splice

• Whip the eye splice as near X as possible, using a fine cord of similar material to the rope.
• This is important if rope is 24mm dia. or larger. Untie the slip knot (or remove spike). If the eye is correct for size cut off core tail at X.
• If size adjustment has to be made to the eye, re-check steps 1-8 before cutting off the core tail.
• If a hollow flat section is apparent at the throat, it indicates that the core tail has been cut off too short, but the presence of such a hollow flat section does not affect the strength or performance of the splice as the load is carried on the two legs of the eye in equal division.