Fid devices (Phid)

**NCPatrick** · 12-30-2009, 09:53

Originally Posted by NCPatrick

Any tutorials around on how to do the locking brummel? Thanks.

Never mind. I googled it and found the video explaining it again. Thanks anyway!

**cavscout** · 01-01-2010, 14:13

Here's the wire fid I've been using and the fruits of it's service.... *Edit: 7/64 amsteel and 14 gauge copper wire.

The fid itself is actually 2 or 3 times as long as this so 10"+ buries are not an issue.

And the Dead eye with locking Brummel, the adjustable bury, and the "dead end" or handle.

**jeffjenn** · 01-01-2010, 15:56

Cavscout, what size wire & what size Amsteel are you using?

**cavscout** · 01-01-2010, 18:57

That's 7/64 amsteel and 14 gauge? copper wire. The label says "14 Red". It was insulated but I stripped that off. I picked up a spool of it at home depot several years ago and it's just been sitting in my garage.

**MacEntyre** · 01-02-2010, 16:06

I use a blunt needle with a large eye, and a tiny hooked needle, both of which I found in an old sewing box. I have no idea how they are supposed to be used.

The hooked needle is perfect for pulling out strands for tapering. I cut the strands with Fiskars scissors, near the pivot screw, which area of the blades I rarely use for anything else.

The blunt, large eye needle is the perfect fid for 7/64 Amsteel. If you use a wire, you won't like this method, but it works just like the larger fids I used for splicing braided tow ropes long ago!

**TiredFeet** · 01-02-2010, 16:59

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

I use a blunt needle with a large eye, and a tiny hooked needle, both of which I found in an old sewing box. I have no idea how they are supposed to be used.

The hooked needle is perfect for pulling out strands for tapering. I cut the strands with Fiskars scissors, near the pivot screw, which area of the blades I rarely use for anything else.

The blunt, large eye needle is the perfect fid for 7/64 Amsteel. If you use a wire, you won't like this method, but it works just like the larger fids I used for splicing braided tow ropes long ago!

the big one with the "hook" is called a crochet needle and used for .... crocheting. No I do not know how to crochet, but my gf does or did and TeeDee's wife also. They knew right off.

**MacEntyre** · 01-02-2010, 17:23

Perhaps the large one is for "needle point"? (I'm guessing... have no idea what "needle pointing" is... probably nothing to do with navigating using a compass.)

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**I Splice** · 01-02-2010, 23:52

Originally Posted by MacEntyre

Perhaps the large one is for "needle point"? (I'm guessing... have no idea what "needle pointing" is... probably nothing to do with navigating using a compass.)

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I'd guess that he's talking about a yarn needle
http://www.amazon.com/Colonial-Needl...2494042&sr=8-1

I've used the plastic kind, like in the picture above, for 7/64 line. They are just a little too big for it to be easy. I find them much better for 1/8 line.

There are also metal yarn needles and upholstery needles. Upholstery needles are long, over 6 inches and have a smaller eye than a yarn needle.

The Dritz loop turner that someone recommended on this site (Dritz 647) works great for me; better than yarn needles, upholstery needles, and bent wire.

**PuckerFactor** · 01-03-2010, 04:40

Another tool you can use is a Permalok Needle. You can buy them, or make one.

For 7/64 I use one of the 2 needles on the left. they're a Size 5 double-ended knitting needle that I threaded the end of. You can kinda see the threads in the second one from the left.
And here's a locked brummel eye with some paracord sheath for abrasion resistance.

Happy splicing,
Acer