Page 239 - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

other working end. Lay in the working end, being wire-rope grommet. Here, lay loss is not a problem,
certain that you leave no foul lead at the junction; since nearly all wire rope these days is “preformed.”
the rope should maintain a regular spiral all the way That is, each strand is permanently set into its spiral
around. shape before the rope is laid up. But here we are
Back at the starting point, lay out the last form dealing not with three but with six strands; if the
strand, replacing it with the other end of the work- working strand shifts at all as you are laying up the
ing strand (Figure 6-43D). You’ll wind up inordi- grommet, it becomes very difficult to make the fifth
nately pleased with yourself, with all three form and sixth passes fit. So again, use a form.
strands gone and the two ends of the working strand A “perfect grommet” in wire begins with a form
meeting in the same score. the length of the finished grommet’s circumference
Grommets finish with a type of splice that pro- and a working strand a bit over seven times that
vides security without bulk—no sense needlessly length. Lay the strand into the form as with rope,
distorting that perfect circularity. Start by splitting but this time start with the middle of the strand at
the two strands in half down to where they emerge the end of the form. Bring the ends together and
from the grommet. Make an Overhand Knot, left jump across with both ends for a firm start. The lay
over right, with the two halves that are closest to of the wire might not come out exactly at the length
each other (Figure 6-43E). When you draw this you want, in which case you should enlarge the cir-
knot down it should look just like a whole strand. If cle a bit until the lays match (Figure 6-44A). If the
it bulges or flattens, the halves you chose were either grommet is small and the wire springy, the remain-
too close together or too far apart. Untie the knot ing form strands might jump apart. Holding them
and experiment with different ends until you find temporarily in place with a bit of electrical tape
the two that are just right. With a little practice, it’s should cure this, although heavy wire might need
easy to choose the proper pair. the clamping apparatus shown as #2866 in The
The other two halves are not employed further; Ashley Book of Knots. In any event, be very careful
tie them together for now so that you don’t confuse as you pass the end that it doesn’t whip around and
them with the others. Then take one of the work- smack you. Wear safety glasses.
ing halves and tuck it against the lay, over one and Every time you cross the gap, be sure you lay in
under one (Figure 6-43F). As with any splice, flatten alongside the previous turn—it’s easy to get out of
each strand by untwisting it a little as you tuck, and sequence. Keep going until all six form strands are
be sure to pull any slack out of individual yarns; a on the floor and the working strand is completely
fair splice is a strong splice. Tuck both strands whole laid up around the heart, ends meeting in the same
twice, lay out one-third of each and tuck again, then score (Figure 6-44B, C, D).
lay out another third and tuck once more, with the Now for the hard part. Instead of tucking the
lay, to finish (Figure 6-43G, H). ends as with rope, we’re going to make them dive
Roll the splice underfoot for a final fairing and into the middle of the wire and run them along until
trim the ends about ⁄4 inch from the rope; they will they completely replace the heart. Set things up by
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draw back flush or wear off in use. In very slick syn- clamping the grommet securely in a vise, then pry
thetics it may be necessary to whip or fuse the ends both ends of the heart a short distance out of the
to keep them from pulling out. (For a useful tip on wire. Wrap one end of the working strand around
using a rope grommet, see “Grommet and Painter” the grommet a few times to keep it from shifting
in Chapter 12, page 373.) while you deal with the other end (Figure 6-44D).
Enter a spike under the three strands immedi-
The Wire Grommet ately to the right of the end you are going to roll in.
The working-strand-and-form technique can also Pry the three strands a little to the right and you’ll
be used to produce the heavier-duty, longer-lived be able to pull the standing part of the end down

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