Fid Lengths

aitchem

aitchem

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Hi,

Is Fid length universal, or does it vary between rope manufacturers.?
so,
When buying rope, do you go for a particular manufacturer.?

Any recommendations for supplier of good rope splicing tools would be great.

thanks
Howard
 
nigelmercier said:
I've got a Selma Fid Set, it is awesome!
Click to expand...

Really? I've got some of those and consider them a bit poor. The joint where the two metal edges come together tends to catch strands, and the shape of it is not as "streamlined" as it could be and is difficult to get through all but the loosest new rope.

I keep meaning to get some solid cylindrical ones like the guy uses in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UghIS9xdiDw

To the OP - no, fid length is apparently not universal as the fid in the video is much longer than mine.

Pete
 
Personally I use fids that look like knitting needle sized needles which pull the rope ends through... Two sizes have done all the ropes between 8mm and 16mm that I have ever needed to do.
Search the Web for the 'neropes' (New England Ropes) splicing guide for a clue as to fid lengths.
 
Thanks Guys,
I ordered the Selma ones to get me going, from barrysropes on fleabay

aint this fun, lots to do , lots to learn/absorb.

thx
Howard
 
Prv... Look out for Samson Tubular Fids online... As you say, a lot smoother on the outside than certain stainless ones...
They seem easier to get in the US...I might see if I can get some brought over if you're interested...
 
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Swedish fids I thought were more cone shaped....great for splitting knots... I was going to say great for helping to tease the core from a braided rope...but I'll sick to my needle fids for that.
 
cryan said:
I would know them as Marlin Spikes. I have only ever known the c-section type known as Fids or Swedish Fids to be more accurate.
Click to expand...

I think almost any approximately stick-shaped tool for working on cordage (or wire) has been called a fid by some people at some time, but the fids we're talking about here are for splicing braided rope. This involves passing parts of the rope for some distance up inside the braid, rather than just through between the strands as for laid rope or wire, so you need more than a simple spike or even an open-sided conical Swedish fid (both of which I already have). A fid for braid acts as a kind of smooth "nose cone" for the rope, which needs to fit into some kind of hollow or groove in the back of it and then be dragged along.

Pete
 
Martin_J said:
Prv... Look out for Samson Tubular Fids online... As you say, a lot smoother on the outside than certain stainless ones...
They seem easier to get in the US...I might see if I can get some brought over if you're interested...
Click to expand...

Thanks - they look like what I'm after. As you say, they don't seem to be easily available in the UK. I could order a set from the US, but if you're planning to import a batch then I'm definitely interested.

Cheers,

Pete
 
There are at least two ways to give measurements for splices in braiede rope
- Fid lengths, difficult to use as there are lots of different splicing tools around
- Multiple of diameter, independent of tools used.


There have been developed several tools for splicing rope, I have tried all of these..

As stated by a previous poster, when splicing braided rope you are inserting one part of the rope inside another.
-Core into core (Dyneema and other exotic materials
-Core into cover
-Cover into core

The different tools are all based on one of two principles, pull or push.

I have found that the pull method works best in most ropes.

Tools for pulling

My favorit splicing wands from http://www.briontoss.com/

MP81115215.jpg


spl102-500.gif


spl102-2-500.gif


The selfmade one, my rigger uses this type.

12_s.jpg


Tools for pushing
The Selma fids works fine.
4selmafids.jpg


The classic ones, I feel that these are little bit clumsy to use.
Often end up using tape to get the rope hanging on to the fid

SPL230-500.gif


If you google for "splicing wands" or "splicing fids" you get lot of hits (look at the pictures)

Swedish fid, normally used for laid rope - but also be used for other rope work

swedish_fid.jpg
 
I have Selma fids and have had problems with snagging, and with getting either core or cover to go into a fid that is small enough to pass through the splice. I am going to make myself a couple of pushers from stainless rod and file handles. I reckon they will make the job a lot easier.
 
I find that pulling works better
Insert your pulling tool in where you want the core/cover to exit and push it through.
Attach the piece you want to pull in and pull through.
 
One little hint here for 3 strand rope when splicing. Circlip pliers have a pointy nose but open when you squeeze the handles. Thus you shove the pointy nose in then squeeze the handles to open up a big hole though which you pass the strand of rope.
Worth a try if you have some circlip pliers olewill
 
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