Splicing single braid

[silversailor]

Should be easy to do an eye splice in single braid. I'm working with 1/4" (Samson Tenex) 6 strand. However, when it's time to "bury the tail" I can't pull the tail through the line. Any suggestions?

[UNCIVILIZED]

One of Brion Toss's splicing wands, or improvise something to the same effect.

[silversailor]

Originally Posted by UNCIVILIZED

One of Brion Toss's splicing wands, or improvise something to the same effect.

Tried that. Too large. One correction, the line is single braid, 12 strand.

[Benz]

Try a piece of stainless steel leader wire folded in half. Push it through as though it were a splicing wand, pass a couple of strands through the fold, and pull. Sometimes I have to taper the end of the bury slightly so it will pull into the line--I think this is because for some reason the ropemakers are making their helices tighter. No doubt there's a good reason to, but it makes the line harder to open up and push a bury through.
If everything wants to just fray all over the place and cause a disaster, you can wrap the tapered end tightly with masking tape (I use the green stuff, and find that paper is more slippery than vinyl electrical tape). Run the tape off the end of the line so it makes a very skinny twisted tail, then pass that tail through the fold in the leader wire. It might help if you take a fid and torture open the strands a little where the wire/wand comes out.
Good luck
Ben
zartmancruising dot com

[transmitterdan]

Try bunching up the standing part to open the passage for the buried tail. 12 strand is like a Chinese finger puzzle. It helps a little if you open up the middle then hold it open with one hand while pulling the tail through. Then smooth it back out to the normal length and the tail should disappear back inside the braid.

[estarzinger]

Tenex is polyester (not dyneema) so it is in fact more difficult to pull the tail thru (it is way less slippery than dyneema).

But it can be done, and you have gotten the three most useful tips already . . . . bunch up the braid quite a bit before you start to help open up the hollow middle, taper the tail a bit, and use a folded piece of stiff wire to pull the tail.

You will be able to do it, have faith.

I made soft shackles from Tenex and the extra friction is useful once you get the bury made

[StuM]

Originally Posted by silversailor

Should be easy to do an eye splice in single braid. I'm working with 1/4" (Samson Tenex) 6 strand. However, when it's time to "bury the tail" I can't pull the tail through the line. Any suggestions?

Are you sure about that "6 strand"? AFAIK, Samson Tenex is 12 strand.