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(1)Before
preceding, get hold of the core and pull it out the end of the
cover for about 2 to 3 inches. (50 to 75mm) Wrap some PVC tape
tightly around the joint and cut. This leaves you some extra
cover material that will make life easier when doing the last
step. Also note the knot, this one is a little too close to the
work but I wanted to get it in the photo. Recomend about 5 feet
(1.5 metre) from the end. |
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(2)
Set up where your 'eye' is going to be and how much core is to
be woven inside. |
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(3)Use
a small fid to poke through the cover. The idea is to part the
fabric gently and get the tool under and behind the core until... |
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(4) you
can get behind the core enough to pull the core out the side
of the cover. Be careful not to get a strand of the cover by
mistake when extracting the core. |
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(5)This
is about what it should look like.
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(6)Now
that you have the core pulled out, cut off the cover end. |
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(7)This
tool allows you to do the new way of securing the cover shown
below. It is the "STITCH
IT AWL" made in the Whitsunday's by a cruiser of best
materials. Handmade of 316 stainless. Unbelievably handy and
cheap. No boat should leave harbour without one. Note that this
photo does not portray a part of the splicing method, it's just
to show the device and it's size. |
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(8)What
I have done here is to sew right through the cover and core with
the heavy thread that comes with the Stitch It Awl, working my
way all around. This prevents the cover from coming loose in
the event your eye splice gets flogged about or not buried in
deep enough to hold it with tension. Once sewn, cover it all
with tape as in photo below so it goes smoothly through the core
later. |
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(9)Secure
the cover with a snug piece of tape to the core and also do the
end of the core, be tidy and taper the end if you can. I used
common PVC tape. My tool in this photo is indicating where the
joint is going. |
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(10)At
the joint selected, get behind the core again. |
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(11)Pull
a length of core out of the length of the rope. It comes out
easily. Note the ‘fat’ look of the cover on the long
part of the rope as compared to the loop. Keep the loop snug.
Don’t pull core from the loop. |
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(12)Using
your fid to part the fabric in the core, then pull the tail piece
through as shown. |
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(13)Repeat
the process of weaving back and forth through the core all the
way to the end of the tail. |
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(14)Pull
the tail taunt within the main core and remove the tape on the
tail and put a fresh piece over the end and creating a smooth
join with the main core. |
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(15)Make
the other end fast to something sturdy and start to pull the
cover toward you.. milking. |
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(16)And
it starts sucking the whole lot back inside the cover. |
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(17)Like
milking a very stiff tit! Especially that last bit as is shown
below |
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(18) Fighting
for the last bit. Getting the core to dive deep into the joint.
If it gets too hard... cheat! see below. |
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(19)This
last step was always bitchy. The core can bunch up right at the
end and rather than fight it, a little screw driver can be used
to poke under the cover in the loop and pry it up using the bunched
up core as a fulcrum. Do this gently, all around and then milk
again. |
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(20) Then check the fit and do a little more with the
tool if required but if it is a little lumpy and still resisting
you... |
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(21) A hammer (gently) on a concrete floor
does a great job of getting rid of the lumps and high spots. It compacts the core. Then one last milk.. |
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(22)Very
satisfying! Give the loop a hard strain (the harder the better!)
to test and set. Now go have a beer.. you earned it! |
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