Splicing Dyneema

[dralex]

Does anyone have experience of splicing this stuff. I routinely do double braid and braid on stranded, but am a bit reluctant to start on dyneema as mistakes could be costly. Any advice, or should I just stick a knot in it? It's for the main halyard.

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[Roberto]

there are some interesting diagrams for splicing high modulus rope <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.samsonrope.com/home/recmarine/splicing/index.cfm>here</A>

never done it though, I keep the instructions just in case..-.<)



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[dralex]

Thanks- will give it a go. Unsure whether to try with or without a beer.

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[simonfraser]

a knot will halve the strength, how much tension, how strong is the rope .....

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[cliff]

Do it without the beer unless you like wasting rope.

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[dralex]

I think I'll read instructions a few times then have one go. Definately right without the beer- a mistake could cost lots of beers. My main concern is the tightness of the sheath. Could really do with some offcuts to practice on, but I suspect there aren't many going begging. The problem I've had before on tighter braided ropes is pulling the needles or fids through the sheath, any helpful suggestions?

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now.

 

[dralex]

I've just checked out the website you suggested- good instructions.

Thankyou.

Alex

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now.

 

[Rick]

I've found the instructions at www.neropes.com very helpful. With hi-tech rope, New Englands tests show that the best knots cause on average an 85% loss in strength - I understand the reason is that the fibres are so resistant to stretch, they act like wire rope - image you tied a knot in a wire halyard, and then hauled on it - same effect.

For splicing, I use either a Brio Toss splicing wand (www.briontoss.com in the tools section), or for small diameters, I use a piece of SS wire. To make the tool, take ametre length of a single strand from an old 1x19 1/4" shroud. Work to straighten as much as possible, then fold very tightly at the mid point, and hammer / squeeze in vice to make the bend tight. Pass the two ends thru a hole in a piece of broom handle size dowel, wrap around a couple of times, and then twist onto itself to secure.

To use - insert the wire into the rope about 150% above where the tail enters (that's 150% of the tail length), and bring out at the entry point. Open the wire about an inch above the bend with an awl or small screwdriver, insert tail, smooth AND USING A LEATHER GLOVE pull on the handle. Wroks well, but note the glove - I had the wire pull free one day and cut my hand badly.

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[cliff]

The needles / fids I use have a small hole near the pointy end so once that is exposed I drop the hole over a hardened steel pin fixed to a vise and then pull the rope "off" the needle rather than trying to pull the needle through the rope/sheath.

Could be you are trying to take the inner too far up the tail.

Other problem is not leaving enough slack in the working end.

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