Issues Splicing Amsteel

[Matt G.]

Hey guys......

Just got 100' of 1/4" Amsteel to screw around with,and decided the first order of business was to splice a fixed bridge for my Kestrel.

I watched G2's video, and it seemed easy enough. I of course ran into issues. I bought an 8 mm knitting needle from Wal Mart. It's the same color as G2 uses in his video, and I presume it to be the exact same one. I cut the end to a 45, and smoothed it out with the dremel. Once attempting to make my splice, I was unable to feed the Amsteel into the open end of the needle, or fid. If I taped the end to the needle, I was able to splice my ends through the rope, but was unable to get the bury all the way through. Ended up getting my bury halfway in, and having it disconnect from the fid. So.....had to abort mission on that one.....but gained confidence that the bury isn't coming out!!

I can't see going to a bigger fid, as the size I have seemed about as big as the 1/4" Amsteel could accommodate. What am I missing here?

Thanks guys. I've been sitting on this issue all afternoon......glad things are back online! Hell of a resource.

 

[donnieballgame]

Did you use the pusher to push the fid through the amstel? Thats what I did and it seemed to hold the amstel in the fid as it bury'd.

 

[Matt G.]

Did you use the pusher to push the fid through the amstel? Thats what I did and it seemed to hold the amstel in the fid as it bury'd.

I tried that, but couldn't get it to go. I was actually able to get the cut end that came taped to bury, but I had to tape it to the fid. Any end that I've cut and begins to fray a bit just won't fit.

I'm wondering if I need to melt the ends and taper them a bit.

 

[donnieballgame]

I tried that, but couldn't get it to go. I was actually able to get the cut end that came taped to bury, but I had to tape it to the fid. Any end that I've cut and begins to fray a bit just won't fit.

I'm wondering if I need to melt the ends and taper them a bit.

Oh man, I'm not sure about that, I haven't seen anyone try and melt amstel.

 

[Matt G.]

Oh man, I'm not sure about that, I haven't seen anyone try and melt amstel.

What does everyone do to cut ends to keep them from fraying?

 

[Erniepower]

I wrap tightly in electrical tape then cut through the tape. Then you can bury the end inside itself.

You can also use a torch to melt the ends while the tape is on and remove the tape after it's melted

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[Allegheny Tom]

For a fid, I used a piece of xx75 arrow shaft in 1916 (if I'm correctly remembering that size).I just cut the shaft on a 45 and kept the field point as the tip. It was my 1st and only attempt at splicing 1/4" Amsteel so I'm not practiced at doing it...my method worked perfectly the 1st try.

 

[Sincyrman]

If I recall correctly, you use a pusher/puller to pull the bury through. Only use the fid when bringing the line through itself for the brummel.

 

[d_rek]

For a fid, I used a piece of xx75 arrow shaft in 1916 (if I'm correctly remembering that size).I just cut the shaft on a 45 and kept the field point as the tip. It was my 1st and only attempt at splicing 1/4" Amsteel so I'm not practiced at doing it...my method worked perfectly the 1st try.

That's a great idea. I got a couple junk carbon arrows I could hacksaw down that would probably work perfectly!

 

[Matt G.]

I ended up buying next next biggest sized knitting needle, and it worked out fine. It was still a pretty tight fit when burying the tag end, but it got the job done

 

[redsquirrel]

I have just used a wire hanger for all the amsteel splicing I've ever done.

 

[Matt G.]

So I now have a fixed Amsteel bridge. Still waiting for the Zing It to arrive to lock stitch, but I'm basically there.

I did notice one issue that makes me a bit uneasy. The edges of the red webbing on the inside of my Kestrel are melted and sharp. I noticed that the Amsteel is snagging, and fraying a bit. Anyone else notice this? I'm thinking I'll wrap some hockey tape, but I don't think that'll last very long.

 

[Swampfox]

I have just used a wire hanger for all the amsteel splicing I've ever done.

This^

I use small tie wire and never had an issue


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[Ken Ruppel]

I have just used a wire hanger for all the amsteel splicing I've ever done.

Very handy tool, I made one from an orange flag marker doubled over. Didn't work so well on 7/64 amsteel, went and got a loop turner for that.

 

[tider]

I have just used a wire hanger for all the amsteel splicing I've ever done.

As in wire clothes hanger?
Good to know.


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[redsquirrel]

As in wire clothes hanger?
Good to know.


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Yes just a wire clothes hanger

 

[g2outdoors]

So I now have a fixed Amsteel bridge. Still waiting for the Zing It to arrive to lock stitch, but I'm basically there.

I did notice one issue that makes me a bit uneasy. The edges of the red webbing on the inside of my Kestrel are melted and sharp. I noticed that the Amsteel is snagging, and fraying a bit. Anyone else notice this? I'm thinking I'll wrap some hockey tape, but I don't think that'll last very long.

Hockey tape should do well. You could also melt the sharp edges again and smash it down nice and smooth. You won't lose any strength that way.