Tech Tips BY DELBERT L. HALL FOR RICH WOLPERT Tools of the trade, Part 13: Tools for splicing rope I’ve invited Delbert Hall to write a two-part series on fids and the tools used for splicing rope In the Summer issue Tech Tips column, I put a call out to riggers for their input on topics to cover in this column. Did they ever respond! Thank you all for your feedback. This issue is guest written by Delbert Hall and provides great information on fi ds. Enjoy. Rich Wolpert THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT IT: a splice is much stronger than a knot. Sure, eye splices do take more time to complete than most loop knots, but a bulky knot cannot compare to the sleekness of an eye splice, and the splice is far more secure. One reason that most stagehands do not make eye splices may be that they do not own the proper tools for making splices or know how to use them. In this article, I will describe the different types of fi ds used to help make splices. In a future article I will explain how to make inexpensive versions of some of these tools. seven times the diameter of the rope; a “long fi d” is 14 times the diameter of the rope; and a “full fi d” is 21 times the diameter of the rope. If just “fi d” is used to indicate a measurement length, it typically means “full fi d.” These lengths will be very important in making many splices, so remember seven, 14, and 21. Defi nition 2. Fids are tools used to open the lay of the rope in order to pass part of the rope through the opening. Depending on the construction and size of the rope, different types of fi ds can be used. Below are descriptions of some common rope fi ds. Closed fids A closed fi d is a spike that can be inserted between the strands or lay of a rope. These fi ds are usually made of hardwood or metal. Lots of tools can substitute for a closed fi d. A marlinspike or a scratch awl can work on smaller diameter rope, while the spike of a spud wrench (my personal favorite) works well on larger diameter rope. Open fids I prefer an open ¿ d to a closed ¿ d for splicing three-strand twisted rope that is less than 1-1/4 ″ in diameter. This type of ¿ d not only opens the lay, but also provides a tunnel through which to easily pass or tuck one strand of a rope under another strand when making a splice. Once you get the hang of using this type of ¿ d, you can quickly put a splice in rope. Figure 1 – Simple wooden “closed” fid Fids—An overview The term “fi d” can be used to describe: 1) a length, or 2) a tool for working with rope. Defi nition 1. A fi d length is relative to the diameter of the rope. A “short fi d” is FALL 2011 “ “ I often attach the end of the rope to the wand with a piece of tape so that the end does not snag on yarns as it is being pulled through. Figures 2 and 3 – Commercial open fids made by Brion Toss and SeaDog Line Figures 4 and 5 – Examples of two shop-built open fids made by Jim Dougherty; the left is made of copper tubing and right is from steel pipe. 50 FALL 2011