Splicing 1X19
 

I have been splicing 1X19 wire using Rigger's Apprentice as a guide. When I do the first tuck on the #1 bundle of strands I roll it in as tight to the crotch of the splice as I can. Same with the #2 bundle, though of course that can't get in as tight, because the #1 is in the way, and so on. By the time I get to the first tuck of the #6 bundle, there is quite a span of wire from the seizing holding the strands together to where the #6 first tucks into the standing part. Is that the nature of the beast, or am I doing something wrong?

Some lengths vary
 

Hello,
The length from seizing to splice will increase as the go, with #6 being the longest. Exactly how long each section is will be determined by your choice of the #1 strands, both ends and standing part. When in doubt, choose the outer most in both cases. Experiment on a few splices (you need the tucking practice anyway), to find the start the gives you the shortest, easiest-to-fair runs. And for the fairest splices, tuck each yarn separately, instead of all at once.
When you start to have a feel for the splice, send me a sample or two for comment, okay?
Fair leads,
Brion Toss