Page 469 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

2809. The BACKHANDED WIREEYE SPLICE (I). In America todav

"'
most WIRE EYE SPLICES are made backhanded. And if an occasional

OVER-AND-UND~R SPLICE does appear, the initial sticking is generally

5 the same as for a BACKHANDED SPLICE. In wire the splice is almost

alwa s made directly around a thimble.

4 A ter sticking the strands as shown alongside, pound them lightly

3 to make them lie fair and then back them four times. Sometimes each

z. strand is backed twice in succession instead of once only at a time;

this saves time but the strands are not run down as in a SAILMAKER'S

I 160, SPLICE. Start with the most backward strand and progress regularly

from one to the next. In a BACKHANDED SPLICE it is not necessary to

make the strands lie all in one tier. Work them well back toward the

throat but, without bending the wires, let them choose their own

beds. After having tucked the strands four times full, some riggers

will taper by cutting out one third at each subsequent tuck. But it

6 seems sufficient merely to back each alternate strand once more, but

under two strands, and then to trim them all as they lie.

S' 2810. BACKHANDED EYE SPLICE (2). This way of tucking is seen

4 about as frequently as the former and is the one preferred by Cap-

3 tain Daniel F. Mullins. After the initial tucking the splice is put in

2 exactly in the same manner as the last.

I 2811. An OVER-AND-UNDER SPLICE, for single-strand ropes, or for

ropes of more than six strands. Seize the rope at the point where it

is to be opened and cut out not only the heart but all other wires

2810

or strands except those on the surface. For the purpose of this

description we will assume that there are twelve surface wires.

Divide the surface wires into four groups of three wires each, taping

each group of three together at the ends and spreading the four

fanwise. Tuck the right group of three to the right under six wires.

Stick the next group in the same place but under only three wires,

then the third group to the right under the next three wires, and

finally tuck the last set of three under the remaining three wires.

Then stick all groups of three to the left as in any OVER-AND-UNDER

SPLICE. Tuck each time in regular rotation under one of the original

groups of three strands. A single-strand rope is generally left-laid,

2.61l

so it will be spliced in the opposite direction from this description.

A six-wire strand (left-laid) should be spliced exactly as jI).( 2810 (but

reversely). If there are eighteen surface wires (or strands) divide

into six groups and stick as in jI).( 2810 (or reversel ) and thereafter

tuck over and under as described for jI).( 2 805 and 2806.

2812. In making eyes for wire guy ropes on telegraph poles and

derricks ashore, U-bolt shackles sre ordinarily used. The nuts should

always be beside the standing part of the rope and never beside the

~ end.
~
•

•
•
•

%Bl'2..