1. Tape the end to be spliced with one thin layer of
tape. Then, measure one tubular fid length (two wire fid
lengths, because the wire fid is l/2 size) from the end
of the line and mark. (This is point R (reference), step 1
of fig. 2-24.) From R, form a loop the size of the eye
desired and mark. (This is point X, where you extract
the core from inside the cover.)
2. Tie a tight slipknot approximately five fid
lengths from X. This must be done to keep the core and
cover from becoming uneven. Bend the line sharply at
X. With the pusher or any sharp tool, such as a ice pick,
awl, or marlinespike, spread the cover strands to expose
the core (step 2 of fig. 2-24). First pry, then pull the core
completely out of the cover from X to the taped end of
the core. DO NOT pull cover strands away from the line
when you are spreading the cover, as this will distort the
line unnecessarily. To assure correct positioning of
mark 1, do the following: holding the exposed core,
slide the cover as far back toward the tightly tied
slipknot as you can. Then, firmly smooth the cover back
from the slipknot toward the taped end. Smooth again
until all cover slack is removed. Then, mark the core
where it comes out of the cover. (This is mark 1.)
3. Again slide the cover toward the slipknot to
expose more core. From mark 1, measure along the core
toward X a distance equal to the short section of tubular
fid (two short sections with wire fid) and make two
heavy marks. (This is mark 2.) From mark 2, measure
in the same direction one fid length plus another short
section of the fid (with wire fid, double measurements)
and make three heavy marks. (This is mark 3, step 3 of
fig. 2-24.)
4. Note the nature of the cover braid—it is made
up of strands, either one or two (pair). Notice that half
the pairs revolve to the right around the rope and half
revolve to the left. Beginning at R and working toward
the taped end of the cover, count eight consecutive
strands (single or pairs) that revolve to the right (or left).
Mark the eighth strand. (This is mark T, step 4 of fig.
2-24.) Make mark T go completely around the cover.
Starting at T and working around the taped cover end,
count and mark every fifth right and left strand (single
or paired) until you have progressed down to the end of
the taped cover.
5. Insert the fid into the core at mark 2. Slide it
through and out at mark 3. (Step 5 of fig. 2-24.) Add
extra tape to the tapered covered end, then jam it tightly
into the hollow end of the fid (see insert). Hold the core
lightly at mark 3; place the pusher point into the taped
end; push the fid and cover through from mark 2 and
out at mark 3. With the wire fid, first press prongs into
the cover, then tape over. Then after the fid is on, milk
the braid over the fid while pulling the fid through from
mark 2 to mark 3. Take the fid off the cover. Continue
pulling the cover tail through the core until mark R on
the cover emerges from mark 3 (see step 6 of fig. 2-24).
Then remove the tape from the end of the taped cover.
6. Make sure the tape is removed from the cover
end. Start with the last marked pair of cover strands
toward the end; cut and pull them out completely (see
step 7 of fig. 2-24). Cut and remove the next marked
strands and continue with each right and left mark
strand until you reach point T; do NOT cut beyond this
point. The result should be a gradual taper ending in a
point. Very carefully pull the cover back through the
core until point T emerges from mark 2 of the core (see
step 8 of fig. 2-24). From point X on the cover, measure
approximately one-half fid length toward the slipknot
on the line and mark this point Z (see step 9 of fig. 2-24).
7. You are now ready to put the core back into the
cover from T to Z. Insert your fid at T (step 9 of fig.
2-24). jam the taped core end tightly into the end of the
fid. With the pusher, push the fid and core through the
cover "tunnel," past point X, to, and through the cover
at point Z. When using the wire fid, attach the fid to the
tapered core. After the fid is on, milk the braid over the
fid while pulling through from T to Z. When pushing
the fid past X to Z, make sure the fid does not catch any
internal core strands.
NOTE
Depending on eye size, the fid may not be
long enough to reach from T to Z in one pass.
If not, bring the fid out through the cover, pull
the core through, and reinsert the fid into the
same hole it came out of. Do this as many
times as needed to reach point Z.
8. Alternately pull on the core tail at Z, then pull
the tapered cover at mark 3. The crossover should be
tightened until the crossover is equal to the diameter of
the line. Remove all the slack from the eye area by
smoothing the cover from point T toward X. Mark where
the core tail emerges through the cover at point X (see
step 10 of fig. 2-24). Pull the core tail out until the mark
just made on the core is exposed at Z. The diameter of
the core must now be reduced by cutting and removing
one strand of each group around the complete
circumference. Measure one-third fid length from the
first reduction cut toward the end and make a mark. Cut
2-23
