DIY wire fid

[Mouseskowitz]

I'm in the process of making a new set of gear, hammock, tarp, and rigging. So, with the rigging I decided to try my hand at splicing. I read quite a few threads about different things people are using for fids. I decided to try using some wire as I have some experience with it, but I put a twist on it, quite literally. When I used to work on helicopters we would have to lock wire everything tight so it wouldn't go flying off. Twisting the wire seems to add rigidity without adding bulk. So, here is the results with a couple items I made from 7/64 amsteel and 1.75mm lash-it.



The amsteel loops were a bit easier than I expected from hearing people talk about the berry. Next I need to make some more soft shackles and try doing a whoopie.

Here's a close up of the eye ends of the fids.



I used 19 gauge for the 7/64 and 24 gauge for the 1.75mm. It was less than $3 for the wire from Menards but you should be able to find it at any hardware store.

[MAD777]

Great idea, but twisted!

[SnrMoment]

I really like the guitar string wire. Just bent in half and I can open/close the loop to pinch tapered ends of Zing-It.

[Gredemeer]

I have used piano wire very stiff for its size. It works well. Thanks for the idea.

[tight-wad]

And I use steel fishing leaders from Academy

[Mouseskowitz]

I end up having to thread a needle but it's not too bad, I haven't even bothered doing my taper first.

[SmokeBait]

Looks good Mousekowitz Like tight-wad, I like stainless steel fishing leader wire. Folded in half with the folded end crimped down it grips the line pretty well.

[cbell3186]

Nice job, i found some thin Guage "floral wire" and used that, i found that you don't need to twist the wire at all, and also add something on the end like a 4" metal rod or marker for more pulling leverage