Page 93 - Barbara Merry - The Splicing Handbook

a layer of tape on the standing side of this spot.

Sink the hook of the Uni-Fid into the wrapped core 1½ inches (38 mm) from
the tapered end. To prevent snagging, apply a smooth layer of tape to hold the fid
in place on the core.

Insert the free end of the fid into the coat at the R and work it past the X, then
out through the coat at the Y. Use two hands, massaging the rope ahead of the
fid. If you snag the core, back up to free it, and then proceed.

Remove the fid.
Unwind the gauze wrapping from around the parallel fibers of the tail between
the tape placed for the eye and the working end. Cut it off, taking care not to cut
any of the core fibers. Measure one short fid length from the working end and
mark. Fan the tail and make an angled cut from the mark to the end to give a full
taper to the core.

To taper the coat tail, begin at the R and count down five picks, or ridges, and
mark. Continuing toward the working end, count off 15 picks and mark again.
Cut the tail off square there. Unlay the coat back to the mark at the fifth pick,
and make an angled cut from the fifth to the fifteenth pick.

Align the R and the two hash marks, causing the core strands to begin
creeping into the coat. (Bunching usually prevents the strands from disappearing,
but if they totally slip into the coat at this step, that’s okay.)