Learning to Splice

How difficult is it to learn to eye splice the end of an arborist rope? Is this something that I could learn from a book?

Thanks,
Rick

As of now, there technically aren't written splicing directions for that rope you show, Poison Ivy, by Yale Cordage.

I can guide you along. You can check "Working Rope #5, Splicing" by Brion Toss. The best source of info is straight from the manufacturer.

Best of luck. It's a lot of fun!

love
nick

Hi Nick,
The rope that I am using is 1/2" safety blue. I found instructions on the New England ropes site, but they are confusing. http://www.neropes.com/splice/sp34_braided_safetyblue.htm

The instructions talk about fids (measurements and needles?). What is a fid and do I need one to perform the splice? Are there alternatives? I can understand steps 1 thru 4. The pictures are not very good for step 5c. I am not sure where to cut. The picture under step 6 is also unclear, what happened to the loop? Do you have any pictures showing steps 5, 6, 7 and 8?

Thanks,
Rick

Here, use this...

http://www.samsonrope.com/site_files/Eye_Splice_for_Class_1,_16-Strand_Arborist_Climbing_Lines.pdf

You can make your own wire fid (aka "pull fid") out of a coat hanger. Cut off the twisty part, straighten what you have left, then fold it in half....

Let us know how it goes, and share some pics!

love
nick

Rick,

I've made a number of eye splices Samson's Velocity rope using the instructions posted on their website.

I also bought Samson's splice kit from Wespur and those fid lengths make sense because the right fid size is in the kit.

Here are some pics of my first two. I've gotten better at it since these. Takes me about an hour per splice now.

I must admit though that it is a bit troubling that I can't test a splice to the point of failure. It is claimed that a splice retains something like 90% of the rope's strength. But, when you do a splice and see some of the points where the splice can be less than perfect, it does make you wonder.

I have tested one of my splices at three times my body weight and it didn't budge.

Pics: My splices in Velocity rope

You guys missed a great class at the 2006 Rendezvous. It was one of the most interesting and creative presentations that I have seen at these get togethers. It was also "addictive". We did some simple splicing on hollow cord (tenex)and them moved on to a fancier splice on a split tail on Yale Blaze. ( I think). It took lots of work but the results were well worth it. Nick did a great job handling so many people at one time in one class. I have used my Split tail and I am looking forward to try the Eye Sling and my "loopie/Whoopie sling" on my next dead tree removal. Thanks Nick and to the company that donated the rope samples!!