splicing tools for large lines

[Seapig]

Relatively recently there was a thread about splicing tools but it seemed to center on smaller lines. So rather than hijack that thread...


I am interesting in trying to splice 3/4 double braid dock lines. A bowline would probably work just fine but I enjoy splicing smaller lines and I like the idea of a proper eye on the end of my dock lines.


I have the samson set of smaller fids which I am not enamored of and they are too small anyway. I went to Brion Toss's website but I can't find much information about his wands. If this is the instrument of choice if someone could elaborate on their use it would be appreciated.



So what do you recommend? What suggestions do you have for dealing with large diameter lines.


Thank you in advance

[keepondancin]

Samson fid for 3/4” line. I just did 5/8” after ordering the 5/8” fid

[Bill O]

Samson does make fids for 3/4" and 5/8". Found them here.


Brion Toss created these splicing wands for the final tucks.

[tkeithlu]

I prefer this open kind for three-strand, and am thinking about it because I'm about to replace our 3/4 inch mooring lines. Really though, with nylon rope the fiber is slippery enough that the real task is keeping the strands from unwinding. I recently spliced some old fashioned sisal hemp rope for a museum bell pull. Wow! I had forgotten how sticky and tight the rope I learned on was.

https://www.amazon.com/Marinebaby-St...g%2C220&sr=1-4

[StuM]

Originally Posted by tkeithlu

I prefer this open kind for three-strand, and am thinking about it because I'm about to replace our 3/4 inch mooring lines.

OP asked about 3/4 double braid

I like wands, There are lots of videos and "instructionals" on the web showing how to use them.

But I'm a cheapskate. I make my own "wands"by cutting and bending anything from 0.7mm (#22) tie wire up to wire coathangers depending on rope size.

Here's one such. The "marlin spike" is an old screwdriver ground to a point

[40 South]

I use hollow fids for any single & double braid to about 16mm, open fids for any laid or 8 plait rope up to about 100mm and solid spikes and open fids for wire.

[boatman61]

3/4 line..!!! Damn, every finger is a fid..

[HankOnthewater]

For double braid I use the Brion Toss' wands. I really like them, easy to use, but even their biggest size is sometimes not long enough, when making large loops, like in making dock lines with an eye in one end. Thank you StuM, will try as per your photo in post #5 as that will work.
For 3 strand, the open fid as per one of the other photos above will work easily to at least 38 mm (1.5").

Hmmm, on checking the website of Brion Toss, no mention of their wands there, but they used to sell 3 sizes. The website mentions Brion as in the present tense, but he rests in peace as far as I know.

[waterman46]

Make your own fid, any length you want, with copper tubing and on the pointy end a home-made wooden plug epoxied in place.
Did you buy the line already? Braided line looks great but three strand has more stretch which is important for dock lines.

[StuM]

Originally Posted by waterman46

Make your own fid, any length you want, with copper tubing and on the pointy end a home-made wooden plug epoxied in place.
Did you buy the line already? Braided line looks great but three strand has more stretch which is important for dock lines.

Another option is to cut the ends off hollow knittting needles in various sizes from a craft store.

11 pairs, hollow stainless steel, 2-8mm (outside diameter) for $16 from Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Knitting-...erId=101040469

or you can also get hollow plastic ones (caution: acrylic ones are generally solid!)

[Benz]

Yale has a nice professional splicing kit with fids from 1/4" to 1" At around $200, it's spendy, but if you splice a lot, it's a really good value, since you can splice just about any rope with it.
I wouldn't try to splice 3/4" D-braid with a wand--a fid is so much better.
Last day of work last week I spliced six 7/8" docklines with a yale fid; took under 4 hours all told.