Page 231 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

Figure 6-41O. Breaking the lay of a strand to aid
fairing. when you send it home, wrapped around those two
yarns as if it wanted to be there. If it doesn’t lie
smoothly, work at untwisting and prebending sub-
A more time-consuming but more easily faired sequent strands; the knack will come to you.
technique involves tucking each yarn separately. Now the #2 strand is closest to the vise, emerg-
Separate the three yarns in each bundle, then ing—as all strands now will be—from under a pair
prebend and tuck the yarn in each bundle that is of yarns. Enter the spike under those yarns, roll
nearest the vise. Roll it home, then tuck the middle back, and tuck.
strand, and finally the strand farthest from the vise. Proceed with the rest of the strands, moving
In the first row of tucks, you might want to experi- counterclockwise. It is very easy to mis-tuck, partic-
ment with changing this order, at least with strands ularly if the wire is distorted by careless spike-work
#4, #5, and #6, as the changing angles there can call or excessive unlaying. If a strand doesn’t look right,
for different sequences. trace it back visually. Working from the end toward
The standing-part yarns may tighten up as you the vise, it should go under two yarns away from
work, so pause after each set of six tucks, if neces- you, back over the same two yarns toward you, then
sary, to take out an extra half-turn or so, using the back under them away from you, for as many tucks
unlaying stick. as you’ve made.
As you splice, keep the strands clear of one If you have mis-tucked, put everything in
another and the vise. It will be less confusing visu- reverse: roll the spike back toward you with the
ally, and will prevent strands from springing or strand alongside it, but push rather than pull on the
whipping at you. strand. After a half-turn or so, the strand should
To begin the second row of tucks, find the #1 spring loose so that you can push and pull it out
strand. (It will be closest to the vise and coming to untuck. Hunt for the proper location and then
out from under four yarns.) Enter the spike where re-tuck.
the strand emerges, but only under two yarns. Roll After the second row of tucks is done, taper by
back and tuck the #1 strand under these yarns. If laying the third yarn out of each strand, leaving the
you prebend well, the strand will lie down smoothly two surface yarns. Get the third yarn completely

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