Page 221 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

splice, where the strands are most likely to slip out.
Shielded Mallet
With 7 x 7 wire, a very neat finish can be made
After a few thousand feet, your serving mallet will by completely unlaying each strand and breaking
have worn itself into a deeply grooved, organically the individual yarns with your bare hands. There’s
distorted artifact. Wear is particularly pronounced no karate involved—it’s more like Aikido, actually.
at the leading edge. So to prolong head life, tack
on a tin “shield.” Bend each yarn sharply left and then right, creating
a weak point at its base. Then twist the yarn clock-
wise two or three turns, and the end will break off
completely out of the way.
When you trim the heart—fiber or wire—taper
it, too, by pulling some of its strands closer to the
vise before trimming.
Trimming completed, give the splice a few light
taps with the mallet for a final fairing. Your job is
done and ready to be cut off and thrown away.

Figure 6-37. Fairing. Seize all ends down to the
standing part. Strike glancing blows away from
the thimble, working any slack toward the ends. Be
firm but gentle. Trim all strand and heart ends as
described in the text.

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