Best splicing set

[Boo2]

Hi,

I want to have a play at splicing (braid covered ropes initially) and I want to know what kit is required and what the best versions of everything are. If anyone knows a full set that doesn't include useless stuff, or exclude vital bits, and is reasonably priced (but not totally throwaway either...) then I'd be interested to see a link.

Thanks for your advice,

Boo2

 

[greylag]

splicing

google Selma.

Kits available from various sources but I got mine from www.onestoprigshop.co.uk

 

[Boo2]

google Selma.

Well, thanks, but how is that relevant ?

Boo2

 

[greylag]

Oops!

Selma splicing kits [Selma Blairs ugly cousin]

 

[Poignard]

If I wanted anything like that I would contact Des Pawson, Footrope Knots, Ipswich

http://www.despawson.com/Tools.html

 

[morgandlm]

Splicing

If all you are going to do is braid on braid splices then the only bit of "special" kit you need is a fid. You also need some sticky tape, scissors, a sharp knife and some sailing twine. I bought my stuff from Jimmy Green who also have splicing guides available. Other guides available from Samson Ropes, Marlow etc. Google for braid on braid splices and there are some good youtube videos available.

Splicing your own ropes is good fun, very satisfying and saves you money so give it a go.
Morgan

 

[LadyInBed]

I want to have a play at splicing (braid covered ropes initially)

If you are totally new to splicing I would suggest you start with splicing laid rope as you have more useful options (back, short and eye) and you can practice on old rope. For that you will only need a Marlin Spike, most are solid but I have made one from an old bit of 10mm copper pipe (the hole acts as a jam for pulling the strand of rope through).

An eye splice is the only useful thing you can do on Braid and it really needs to be done on new rope as it is very difficult to do on rope that has been stretched. For that you will need a set of fids as you need different size fids for different sizes of ropes.

 

[prv]

If you are totally new to splicing I would suggest you start with splicing laid rope

I kind of agree, in that laid rope is easier. But then again, if you only have braid on board, what is the point of learning laid even if easier?

(I have a mixture on board, and can splice laid rope but haven't yet tried braid. I will learn it when I need it - I wouldn't pay someone else for that kind of thing!)

For that you will only need a Marlin Spike

You may not even need that. I have a spike (part of the knife and spike set I use on square-rig) but in splicing a set of fixed-length mooring lines for my home berth last week I found it mostly wasn't needed. This was a mixture of soft new nylon, which opened up at a touch, and harder old used rope (not sure of material) which put up more of a fight but was still easier to eye-splice with fingers alone (plus tape over the strands to keep them together) rather than picking up the spike each time.

Pete

 

[Malabar]

Go for a set of Selma splicing fids (e bay). Don't waste time with the plastic kits from chandlers. Add to your list of kit needed - felt tip marker. If you try and splice braided rope that has been used it will break your heart! Finally, keep an eye out for soldering guns from Lidl. Great for cutting rope and a fraction of the price of the yottie version.

 

[boatropes]

Selma splicing fids

Hi,

I want to have a play at splicing (braid covered ropes initially) and I want to know what kit is required and what the best versions of everything are. If anyone knows a full set that doesn't include useless stuff, or exclude vital bits, and is reasonably priced (but not totally throwaway either...) then I'd be interested to see a link.
Thanks for your advice,
Boo2

Probably too late to help you but others may need similar advice. I sell Selma splicing fids for doublebraids, as well as my rope stock of course. Unlike most sellers I use them almost daily and advise on which one is needed for each job. Rather unusually I also split sets regularly to provide singles, keeping the cost down. Over 300 sets and many singles sold this year so my prices must be good too.
Barry Edwards
Boatropes
boatropes@barryedwards.co.uk
01606 888154

 

[ean_p]

do you sell the needles Barry, and if so how much please?

 

[oldvarnish]

Can I recommend Tom Cunliffe's step by step guide to splicing eyes into braid on braid? Very detailed, very jolly and well illustrated and it works. He uses Selma fids.
It was published in YM a few months back.

 

[dt4134]

Can I recommend Tom Cunliffe's step by step guide to splicing eyes into braid on braid? Very detailed, very jolly and well illustrated and it works. He uses Selma fids.
It was published in YM a few months back.

There's also a fair few videos on YouTube.

 

[boatropes]

Selma Fids

do you sell the needles Barry, and if so how much please?

ean,
Crikey, I haven't visited this YBW thread on splicing for months and my sub to it didn't take for some reason, so I've only just seen your question.
If by chance you aren't fixed up yet let me know and I'll send prices for different sets. easier still let me know which sizes you are splicing and I'll recommend.
Barry

 

[nigelmercier]

I sell Selma splicing fids for doublebraids, as well as my rope stock of course. Unlike most sellers I use them almost daily...

I've been looking for a decent video on how to use Selma Fids, so many of them give conflicting information. Have you thought about shooting one?

 

[boatropes]

Selma Splicing Fids

do you sell the fids/needles Barry, and if so how much please?

Yes they are regular stock, the ones as used by Tom C, and recent price reductions:
Selma Fids 4-fids set (for doublebraids 6mm to 15mm) £25.50, post free.
Selma Fids 5-fids set (for doublebraids 6mm to 20mm) £33.90, post free.
And other combinations if you let me know what you are splicing.
Barry

 

[hrchivers]

There is a very good pictorial guide to eye splicing braid-on-braid on the South Wales Marine website, see:

http://sw-marine.co.uk/acatalog/Braid_on_Braid_Splice.html

By the way, a previous post said that eye is the only useful splice in braid. It is the most useful, but I've also used an end-to-end splice to make a continuous loop for a furling gear. However, the standard end-to-end braid splice increased the diameter of the rope too much for my furler, so I used the 'reduced volume splice from 'The Splicing Handbook' by Barbara Merry (Adlard Coles).

 

[rotrax]

Probably too late to help you but others may need similar advice. I sell Selma splicing fids for doublebraids, as well as my rope stock of course. Unlike most sellers I use them almost daily and advise on which one is needed for each job. Rather unusually I also split sets regularly to provide singles, keeping the cost down. Over 300 sets and many singles sold this year so my prices must be good too.
Barry Edwards
Boatropes
boatropes@barryedwards.co.uk
01606 888154

I got mine from you Barry- good price, quick delivery. I use them a fair bit-very usefull and well made kit.

 

[CharlesSwallow]

Probably too late to help you but others may need similar advice. I sell Selma splicing fids for doublebraids, as well as my rope stock of course. Unlike most sellers I use them almost daily and advise on which one is needed for each job. Rather unusually I also split sets regularly to provide singles, keeping the cost down. Over 300 sets and many singles sold this year so my prices must be good too.
Barry Edwards
Boatropes
boatropes@barryedwards.co.uk
01606 888154

Think I'd better take a note of your details before the moderator comes along and deletes your post for "advertising"!

I am looking for a long fid to allow a neat job to be made out of an endless line for in-mast and tensioned foresail reefing. The only ones I can get out in Corfu ar either too small or the taper is too steep. Incidentally, I have been trying for several years now to get the right combinatioin of grip, diameter and "splice-ability" from a rope for this purpose. I have now found, sourced at a local fishing supplies shop a rope with good grip but it is an absolute bas...d to splice since the tighly filled core appears to be made from some sort of re-cycled multi-coloured waste yarn which just bursts apart when pulled out of the cover braid. That specified by the reefing drum manufacturers, Selden, just slips both on the drum and in the clutches.

Chas

 

[Malabar]

+1 for Selma fids. Also be aware that trying to splice old braided rope is heartbraking to say the least. If you want to stay sane bite the bullet and buy some new rope even to practice on.