Brion Toss' "Making Your Own Eye Splices" DVD

[tommays]

That is well done

I just have to watch it a few more times while i have the Tools in my hands

[Quickstep192]

Originally Posted by zz4gta

I don't think the wands are that great. I've used mechanics wire, and wire hangers along with fids to do splices. I've also switched to doing a core-to-core splice because its easier.

I'd like to watch someone splice 1/4" line. The big stuff is a cake walk, you can use fids all day long.

The splice I was doing was in 5/16" line and I just couldn't get the core through the cover using conventional fids or wire. Using the Toss method, the core goes through the cover first which made it a lot easier for me. I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can't do that method without the wand.

[zz4gta]

Originally Posted by knothead

No difference really, just need to use a smaller fid. I use 1/4" for all my lazy jack kits.

Are your lazy jacks 1/4"? I have a 1/4" fid, but when trying to use it with 1/4" line, the fid won't go through the empty cover. Maybe it was the line I was using. I buy cheap stuff.

[sailingdog]

Never worth saving money on cheap line... you usually end up paying for it somewhere along the way. Please note, there's a difference between cheap and inexpensive—cheap has more to do with quality than it does with price.

Originally Posted by zz4gta

Are your lazy jacks 1/4"? I have a 1/4" fid, but when trying to use it with 1/4" line, the fid won't go through the empty cover. Maybe it was the line I was using. I buy cheap stuff.

[garymcg]

I have the Brion Toss splicing DVDs (and a couple of wands) and they are certainly easier to follow than written instructions. He also has a few shortcuts, doesn't use "fid lengths" as a unit of measure like the written instructions from some of the rope manufacturers, and generally is just a smart, congenial DVD host. The wands sure make it easy, I don't know how anyone does it with just a fid.

Whether it's worth it or not I guess depends on your budget. They're not that cheap (neither are the splicing wands). I think I paid $90.00 for a 4 DVD set.

The rig tuning DVD is also good.

[zz4gta]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

Never worth saving money on cheap line... you usually end up paying for it somewhere along the way. Please note, there's a difference between cheap and inexpensive—cheap has more to do with quality than it does with price.

The cover is very stiff. This is the line I have
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|118|311417|314170&id=749707
Samson ultra-lite.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by zz4gta

Are your lazy jacks 1/4"? I have a 1/4" fid, but when trying to use it with 1/4" line, the fid won't go through the empty cover. Maybe it was the line I was using. I buy cheap stuff.

I don't have my fids in front of me at the moment but I would say that the one I use for 1/4" line is about 3/16" diameter.
It's true that some line is more difficult to splice than others and I have actually noticed over the years that it also changes with different spools of the same line.
Perhaps it depends on whether it was made on Monday or Friday.

[Quickstep192]

Originally Posted by zz4gta

The cover is very stiff. This is the line I have
http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|118|311417|314170&id=749707
Samson ultra-lite.

The finish on that cover may add some stiffness. Do the process where you pull the cover all the way back and then even it back out again. Also, to me it seems that the smaller the eye, the harder the splice.

[camaraderie]

Hey Knotty...that is the first time I have seen that. Thank you!
It should be a gear and maintenance sticky.

OHHHHH CD.....Pretty please!!!

[TxLnghrn]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Hey Knotty...that is the first time I have seen that. Thank you!
It should be a gear and maintenance sticky.

OHHHHH CD.....Pretty please!!!

Oh the loss of power....Hurts just a little bit now doesn't it Cam.

I still think you made the right call though.

Back to the thread at hand. I agree knotty, those vids are great, cannot wait to get my fids and give it a go.

Michael