I've been able to splice the 3 strand silver since I was knee high... Braided rope is very much a different story.
I understand the process (I think) but need help on the last bit. For those that know how to, or have followed any tutorials on youtube, the bit I am having trouble with is what is normally marked as 'B' where you first pull the core out of the cover. When it comes time to putting the core back into the cover and you go an inch or so beyond point 'B' where you are essentially trying to double up the core in the cover (and where the eye is basically formed), all the tutorials show the rigger effortlessly sliding the fid and core as far up as they deem necessary. I on the other hand push, pull, bang, swear, have gone 2 fid sizes down, swear some more, tapered the core and the best I can do is come out at 'B'.
I want to learn this more out of determination now than an actual need to do it. Anybody got a handy tip
(Does any of that actually make sense?)
If it makes you feel better, I have the same thing. Maybe riggers develop huge muscles! Still, the splices come out really well.
Select to expand quoteQLDCruiser said...
Are you using new rope? It's pretty much impossible otherwise.
Yeah it's new rope.. cheaper Bunnings stuff bought purely to learn and practice.
Bristol, I think you're right re the muscles.. They must be bloody Pop Eye though. I have completed a splice that 'looks' right, but without taking the core back past where it is originally taken out of the cover I end up with a section of flat cover -the core rides too far back in the cover 
I've never tried the Bunnings rope, but it wouldn't surprise me if that cheap imported stuff wasn't designed for splicing. I always buy Donaghys from ropegalore. Although my first one or two attempts were a bit like you describe, after that I've found it relatively easy to splice. Sometimes you need to work the cover around a bit to expand it and make room inside.
At one stage I tried a lot of splicing for halyards etc. I found it nearly impossible to find a modern synthetic rope that could be spliced and wouldn't slip.
My big test was to try to winch the splice apart with the jib winches and usually I could. If there are bullet proof splices for synthetic ropes I would love to know about them!
Select to expand quoteTrek said..
At one stage I tried a lot of splicing for halyards etc. I found it nearly impossible to find a modern synthetic rope that could be spliced and wouldn't slip.
My big test was to try to winch the splice apart with the jib winches and usually I could. If there are bullet proof splices for synthetic ropes I would love to know about them!
All our halyards are tapered and with the cores eye spliced , with the outers stripped back to short of the jammers and they have never slipped .
Our bobstay for the prodder (over 2metres long) is spliced synthetic as is the prodder braces and the back stay and a wide range of other bits and pieces, no slip.
Guess it may depend on quality of the rope people are using. My youngest son does it much faster than me now to the point he does it all and I sit back and watch.
