Page 267 - Brion Toss - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

These are dangerous and unattractive. They give
seizings a bad name.

Throat Seizing Details
A spliced-and-seized-in deadeye eliminates lateral
strain on the legs of the splice, holds the deadeye
most firmly in place, and allows for deadeye removal
in the event of damage to it or to the service around
the eye.
A series of seizings in place of a splice is a good
terminal alternative, especially on large vessels,
whose standing rigging is also large and thus diffi-
cult to splice. Three seizings are applied for wire up
5
3
to ⁄8-inch diameter, four seizings on wire ⁄4-inch
diameter and up.
When turning up seized ends, leave the bitter
end 2 feet or more longer than it will be when fin-
ished, in order to be able to take a strain on both
parts while seizing. When you’re done, trim this end
1
by (1) backing off the service to within ⁄2 inch of
the top seizing, (2) driving a thin hardwood wedge
between end and standing part, (3) using the edge
of an abrasive disc on an electric grinder to cut the
1
end 1 to 1 ⁄2 inches above the top seizing (the wedge
protects the standing part), (4) re-serving to the
end of the nub, and (5) capping off with a copper
plumbing cap of appropriate diameter. Be sure that
it is the end you are cutting—it is frighteningly easy
to mistake the standing part for it—and cut in two
or three stages, resting a few seconds between each
so that the grinder doesn’t heat the tar in the wire to
the flash point. It is best to start with the seizing that
is farthest from the eye. That way, once that one is Figure 6-67B. An eye turned up with seizings only is
done you can make sure that the deadeye or thim- a good alternative to splicing and seizing, particu-
ble is properly oriented, apply a bit more tension to larly in larger wire sizes, which are difficult to splice.
make sure that both legs are under equal tension, Note that the lowermost, heaviest-strained seizing is
and then apply the next seizing. If there is even a longer than the other two, that the legs of the wire are
little slack in one of the legs, the seizings will not taking an even strain, and that the end is capped to
share the load evenly. prevent water from getting in. A bit of adhesive caulk
When seizing around deadeyes, always lead the under the cap is a good idea. When turning up with
bitter end of the wire rope so that it is above the seizings around a deadeye, always position the bitter
lanyard-knot side of the deadeye (Figure 6-67B). end over the lanyard-knot hole, as shown; the least
This side invariably receives less strain than the strain comes on the knot side of the lanyard so the
other, since when deadeyes are set up one tightens wire end will not be liable to shift downward, racking
away from the lanyard knot. With the configuration the seizings.

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