"Dave Martin" wrote in message
...
At 22:42 18 March 2004, Gary Emerson wrote:
In reading Derek's book, he makes mention that a cable
can be
effectively repaired with out using aluminum or copper
ferrules, but
apparently by carefully opening up the 7x7 stranded
construction and
then interweaving the strands back together for a seamless
repair.
Obviously this has advantages of a smooth running cable,
but it may be
tricky and time consuming to do right.

So, with that said, does anyone have a document that
they could refer me
to that describes this operation in enough detail to
be able to give it
a try?

Thanks,


Gary

Proper interwoven splices in 7 strand cable are difficult
and time consuming.

The following is a simple simple procedure, books not
required.
I was taught this many years ago by an experience winch
driver.

Takes about three minutes after a bit or practice.

Steps are as follows, the basic principle is like tying
a reef knot.

1. Make neat cuts to the ends to be joined.
2. Open one cable around the centre core for about
10inches in two halves. Leaving the centre core on
its own (Longer until you get used to it, less as you
get more experience)
3. Cut out the centre core and re wind the cable for
about half an inch.
4. The taking the two ends on one cable tie a single
'knot' in them. If done correctly the cable will lie
together following the natural twist in the cable.

Now keep wrapping each end round the other end. If
you got it right, you should finish with the cut ends
twisting naturally round each other until they reach
the main cable.

You should now have a cable with a neat loop at the
end.

If this is right you have cracked the job.

Next go to step 2 with the other cable.

Before going any further, feed this cable through the
loop you created in the first cable and then

6 Wrap the two ends round the other cable and Tie a
knot as above .

You should finish with two cables each with a loop
in the end
each loop being around the other cable.

7. Pull tight.

If you look at the finished knot it is similar to a
reef knot.

Some clubs wrap the knot in 'gaffer' tape which then
forms a protective coat as it beds in the tape and
glue form part of the knot and reduce frayed ends.

I have done many splices like this and they eventually
pull so tight they are difficult to detect. They are
also smoother on the pay on gear than new ferrules.


It is very good on older worn rope when ferrules do
not compress enough to grip and the club have forgot
to order new cables.

Hope this makes sense. It is a very simple procecure
try it with some spare cable.

Dave


Of course, you could just dump the old steel cable and use 3 - 4 mm Spectra
hollow 12 strand braid. To make a splice you just to tuck each end into the
other piece for about 18 inches using a fid. It takes less than a minute to
make an invisible splice. The rope diameter barely increases at the splice.

No bloody fingers either.

Bill Daniels