A Splicer I Am Not

**JaxHiker** · 07-10-2011, 16:10

It's official. I suck at making whoopies. I've tried all sorts of methods for doing buries and stuff and can't get it to work. I've tried the loop turner, guitar string, flower wire, etc. No matter what I do the amsteel pulls from the fid and I just end up ruining the rope.

I expected some learning pain but this is just insane. I'm about to thrown in the towel on making my own whoopies.

Any last-minute suggestions before I throw in the towel?

**Dutch** · 07-10-2011, 16:15

I use a large sewing needle. Also before you make a penetration, open it up with the pointy end of a pen.

**^shane^** · 07-10-2011, 16:23

Blue plastic darning/quilting needle and a 4" long steel quilting needle from Hobby Lobby. Over in the sewing section.

The blue plastic needles are my main go-to for all splices except long buries (the 10"-12" buries for whoopies). For long buries, I use the 4" long steel needle. I used a small flat-head screwdriver to GENTLY open up the eye a bit on the steel needle. My first attempt ended up in me buying another needle, so be careful with the modification.

**turnerminator** · 07-10-2011, 16:29

I use thin copper welding rod. The wire holds the braid better if there is a tiny gap between the 2, ie not clamping it hard in the vice/with pliers.

Flatten the end of the braid and make sure a little pokes through the gap between the wire-it should hold well. I've tried flower wire with no joy, its not got enough grip on the braid for me.

Don't give up, once you've done one, the rest is much easier.

**JaxHiker** · 07-10-2011, 17:01

Hmm, I've tried the largest darning needles JoAnn's had but they're only about 2 3/4". I broke the plastic one and can't get a grip on the steel one. I'll try to get by Hobby Lobby this week since they're closed today.

My hands are hurting (probably another sign I'm doing something wrong) but I'll try again. I ended up with a blister last time from pulling on the rope trying to get it working.

**Bubba** · 07-10-2011, 17:10

The amsteel will pass easier if you taper the end first which is recommended anyways.

**DoorofTime** · 07-10-2011, 17:27

I spliced my own whoopies and a UCR to try a while ago. The first one I made was a cakewalk... I was using a double pointed metal sewing needle. I pushed the needle into the end of amsteel, then took a little piece of masking tape and wrapped it on to hold the amsteel to the needle. I found if I bunched the bury onto the needle, then GENTLY pulled it through by the tip of the needle (twisting slightly as needed) I could get it to slide through.

I think if you're blistering your hands, you're trying too hard. I think it's more of a finesse thing, and if it doesn't work out right when you first start pulling, the less likely it's going to be later.
I hit a block about halfway through my second whoopie... ruined a piece of amsteel, couldn't for the life of me to get it work, was ready to throw in the towel. I came back to it later with a new piece of line, and viola... it slid right through. I was torn between joy for it having worked, and seething because it took me a good 4 or 5 hours to make it work then it looked easy.

Keep at it, take a break from it if you have to. My motto for DIY... something has to go right eventually

**JaxHiker** · 07-10-2011, 17:36

I have been tapering and taping the edge. I also tried tricking the amsteel by taping it to the needle (alongside it) and feeding it through. It was smarter than me.

I think you may be right about the finesse thing, Door. I'm holding it on the left and pulling with the right and that left a blister at the first joint. I'm trying to be more gentle.

I have no idea how this happened but I may have had a breakthrough.

**gmcttr** · 07-10-2011, 17:57

Originally Posted by JaxHiker

...I've tried the loop turner, guitar string, flower wire, etc. No matter what I do the amsteel pulls from the fid and I just end up ruining the rope...

It's hard to figure out what you're doing wrong without watching.

I still find the tube turner works best.

Taper the endIMG_1954 (Medium).JPG

Insert tube turner and hook endIMG_1960 (Medium).JPG

Start to pull the bury through, keep the constrictor portion bunched up as you pull and use your other hand to wiggle and work the entrance to get it startedIMG_1961 (Medium).JPG

Gently pull the bury throughIMG_1962.jpg

Remove tube turner and milk the constrictor down to finishIMG_1963 (Medium).JPG

I hope this helps a little.