Page 56 - Barbara Merry - The Splicing Handbook

Measure one full fid length from each end and label these reference points with
an R. (Short and long fid lengths are marked on tubular fids; for the
measurements in inches, see page 12.)

Mark an X one short fid length up the standing part of each rope from the R.
At the X, gently push aside the strands of the coat to expose its inner core.
Pull out a small loop of core through the coat as carefully as possible, and draw a
single hash mark across the top of the core.

Pull out the working-end core completely at the X and tape its end. Smooth the
coat and core to confirm that the X and hash mark are aligned at equal distances
from the end. Now pull out more core—this time from the standing part of the
rope—and measure one short fid length from the single hash mark. Draw two
hash marks there (see page 50).

Continue along the core, pulling out more from the standing part if necessary,
and mark three hash marks at a distance totaling one full fid length plus one
short fid length from the two-hash-mark point.