Page 22 - Barbara Merry - The Splicing Handbook

braided core surrounded by a braided cover. When the core is removed from the

cover during splicing, the cover becomes a hollow tube. The tubular fid, also
called a Samson fid, guides the rope through these passageways as the splice is
worked.

APPROXIMATE LENGTHS OF FID SECTIONS, IN. (MM)

The fid has a pointed end to ease movement through the rope and an indented
end where the working end of the rope is inserted. It is important that this be a
snug fit, so the fids are made in sizes corresponding to standard rope diameters.
If you have on hand a fid that is only slightly too large, the rope can be held in
place with tape.

Measurements taken on the rope during splicing commonly use portions of the
appropriate fid’s length as units. A full fid length is the entire length of the fid;
short and long fid lengths are marked on the fid. (See Approximate Lengths of
Fid Sections table.) Tubular fids range in price from about $6.50 for the ¼-inch-
diameter (6 mm) to $14 for 5/8-inch (16 mm).
A special splicing tool sold by Marlow Ropes, Ltd., manufacturer of braid
with three-strand core, is necessary to splice that rope. The tool is usually
available where the rope is sold and consists of a small-diameter wire with a
hook at one end and an eye at the other. The hook is used as a handle; the eye,
threaded with one or more of the core strands, is pulled behind.