The fid was not stainless (in fact it was something I used for leather) and it was only used to "push" the strands along to a place of being set. I do not want to do a lot of "unlaying" so that the rope is not needlessly disturbed Actually two bent just trying to put them in between the strands... I have taken pictures of all my splices as I will want to have a complete packet for my survey as well as my insurance. I think we are doing very nice work. I have taken them to San Diego to be checked and I am told that they are tight. The surveyor comes by weekly to check the progress.
Yes, I am using your instructions. I have had your book for years. I have been given so many pieces of advice from those who did the splices in the old days... I was even told that many folks used to break off inner strands as it made it easier to lay in but I have not. I am copying every bit of the original rigging. Each soft eye was measured, pictured, and traced. I removed parcel and checked to see how each splice was made. My splices look just like the ones I have uncovered. My daughter is helping me and she has experience splicing on a tall ship. She has won splicing contests as a Sea Scout. She sometimes teaches it... I have to catch her when she has time but she is very particular. I trust her judgement.
This is how we have noted that there were different folks who were on the rigging team back in 1987. Some people have different ways of starting the marriage on the same type of splice. It appears to be a "'style" if you may. The rig was done by the "head rigger of the Star of India" (as per the old owners information) in 1987 and the boat was left to slowly "age"...
It is funny because each time I attempt to improve on something I end up going back to the original plan., I have full time shipwrights on this boat and this has been going on since July 3rd-- sometimes 7 days a week. I can't do all the work myself .. I have "friends" who are naval architects and they too come by to watch. Truly this boat is not being rushed through. Nothing about it has been quick although it seems to be- as a huge restoration has taken place in 6 months.
The boat is in a yard where wooden boats are built. Many wooden boats are in the joining marina. I get to talk to some very interesting people. I assure you that if I was doing something wrong I would be the first to hear about it and from many sources! So I do a ton of research! I do a ton of "practice"... as I both care for the boat and for those who are working so hard to make this a marvelous project. And to be sure this is not something that I will want to pay for again (a complete restoration ) As in many things worth doing right it is not cheap. I have been given great help but in the end someone has to pay for it.
I am not that strong either, while carrying a drill press it leaned over as I put it in my van and I tore 4 ligaments. I had to have surgery last September, my strength is not back and I don't want to force it as it takes a long time to totally heal repaired ligaments.
No rig has been applied as yet. The bow sprit is on the boat but it is very tight and it is in the samson posts. Nothing was done to the spars but removal of all bronze screws and lead paint. Then they were varnished 12 coats. Tests were done to make sure the wood was sound. It is hard. A drill hole at the top and some at the bottom then plugs to fill. The wood is great. I suspect that the thick coating of white lead and then lead paint had something to do with that.
The plans for the bobstay show a strop with a thimble to a turnbuckle. under the bowsprit. I will do it that way. I don't want to put the turnbuckle where it was. I am not sure why it was decided to change that part of the rigging plan. Everything else follows the plans.
I will be going to the boat this week and I had hoped to have strops ready. I won't. I will get some 7 x 19 and do it the way it has been done before. I am eager to produce something, I use this board to bounce off ideas, research and learn but much more goes on behind the computer screen. I may make a ton of strops only to find out they won't work. It is tuition. The only way I will know is to try.
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