Sta-Set X eye splice problem

[whimsy]

I'm re-using what was an old halyard (sail raised likely under a dozen times, but on the mast 3~4 for years) where I need a fixed segment with an eye on each end.

This is 1/2" Sta-Set X. I've done my third of a total of eight splices so far, using Brion's splicing wand instead of the fid but otherwise New England Rope's instructions.

My first two went pretty well, although I'm not sure quite what "a lot of force to set it" really is...I finished them up with a 18-power secondary winch.

My third one doesn't seem right--Most of the tapered part of the core didn't go back inside the cover. But the crossover did go up into the core, and I can see enough of both marks to tell it didn't slip.

Since I'm re-using what I have rather than buying what I need, I've got rope that is twice as strong as I need for this purpose...so I am wondering what chance my splice is so bad as to have under 50% of the strength of the line.

Any thoughts (besides the reminder that old ropes are harder to splice)?

Thanks.