The demonstrations in this video are by James D. McGrew. The first few frames introduce some old and new splicing tools. The map shown is on his office wall, and if you live close to a town marked with a "yellow flag," you may have already seen one of his demonstrations. This video is your chance to see what he learned about splicing after an old Navy sailmaker explained, "if you know the meaning of the word 'splice' you'll know why 'rolling a splice to make it look better,' is not considered a 'splicing skill' in this sail locker." Equal time is given to fancy 'working knots' that can be used on both land and sea. If you want to learn how to place the fingers so strands of a 'wall and crown' fall into place, this video does it. If you are left-handed, there is a good chance you already know that most twisted rope sold in the USA lays right-handed. Not only do the strands lead up and to the right, the right thumb can also put pressure on it when splicing. What you may not know is a Fid-O lets you splice without using the thumb, and this video shows you how to position the rope to make a difficult job easier. Have you ever wondered why wire rope can be spliced close to a thimble, but twisted fiber rope laid in the best-known 'simple procedure' has several problems? This video will show you several ways to do the job. If the 'wire to rope double braid halyard splice' is a mystery to you, it is covered in the video as well. When the Fid-O Awl was invented and introduced at the Long Beach Sailboat Show, an instruction sheet showing this intimidating splice was handed out. As you view this splice being laid, try to remember by long tradition, even though a rigger uses this splice, because of the "strand wrapping tuck of the sailmaker is used, it is considered a sailmaker's splice." This video also shows a very easy way to divide the braided yarns as they are needed, and this time saving method was introduced at the 1982 St. Petersburg "In the Water Boat Show". You are advised that there is some time spent showing the patented braided rope-splicing machine and an economy handle has been devised. This tool is not being offered at this time. The S size Fid-O being used to lay the double loop eye in 3/8" water ski rope is shown last. |
