Page 60 - Eric C. Fry - Knots and Ropework

33 The purpose of the long splice is to join two ropes in such a
manner that there is little or no increase in the size of the rope, at
the junction, whilst the finished work, having the appearance and
Long lay of the original rope, is suitable for working over a sheave.
The splice relies solely on friction for its stability and so is of
Splice considerable length, but for the purpose of photography, it has
had to be made much shorter than it would be in practise.
Whilst the lengths referred to later are important, there are
varying opinions regarding the recommended length of a long
splice, suffice to say that the longer the splice, the more secure it
will be. Twenty times the circumference of the rope has been
adopted in this case.
The unlaid tails are interwoven as if to commence a Short Splice
(Knot 32). except that their length is twenty~five times that of the
circumference of the rope. Fig 1.
One strand of the right~ hand rope is unlaid away to the right for a
distance of twenty times the circumference. Fig 2. and its
immediate counterpart, from the left~h and rope is laid back in its
place, Figs 3 and 4.
At the point where the replacement and unlaid strands meet. the
ta il of the replacement strand should be approximately five times
the circumference in length and the previously unlaid strand is cut
to this same length.
The process is repeated on the left~hand side, one strand of the
right-hand rope replacing its counterpart in the left~ hand rope, Fig
6, and the end of the unlaid strand being cut to length as before.
This leaves two untouched strands at the centre, Fig 6, which are
cut to the same length as the other two pairs of tails. When laying
up the replacement strands it is essential to twist the strand with
every turn of the lay.
The splice is now put under load and well stretched, prior to
tucking away the three pairs of tails. This has not been illustrated
as there are several methods which can be used:
Each strand is separated into thirds, an overhand knot made with
each counterpart third and the whole beaten down into the lay.
before tucking each set of three ends under one strand only of
the standing part.
0'
The th irds may be tucked with the lay around the three
corresponding standing part strands, tapering as the work
proceeds.
0'
The overhand knot is made with the full strands, which are
tapered and tucked with the lay around their counterpart strands.
0'
The overhand knot is made with the fu ll strands, wh ich are then
halved and tucked with the lay around the two adjacent strands
of the standing part, tapering as before.
0'
The overhand knot may be dispensed with in the last two
variations.