In the use of ropes, occasion arises, many times, where it is necessary to join two ends together in such a way that the union is as strong as the rest of the rope and still not too large or irregular to pass through a hole or pulley block. Knots are unsuitable in that they will not pass through a block; they are unsightly, and usually are not as strong as the rest of the rope. The method of joining ropes to meet the above requirements is called splicing. There are two general types of rope splices known as the short splice and the long splice. Other applications of the former are made in the eye splice and the cut splice. The long splice is almost always used in splicing wire rope which runs through a block or over a sheave.

Fig. 44. The Short-splice is made as follows: the two ends to be joined are untwisted for a few inches and the rope is whipped temporarily to prevent further unwinding. The end of each strand is also whipped temporarily to prevent unraveling. The strands may then be waxed if desired. The two rope ends are then locked together or “married” so that the strands from one end pass alternately between those from the other end. The strands from opposite sides are now in pairs. Take two strands from opposite sides as strands A and 1, tie a simple over-hand knot in its right hand form. Similarly with a right hand knot tie together the strands forming each of the pairs B and 2 and C and 3. Draw the knots tight, then pass each strand of the rope over the strand adjacent to it and under the next, coming out between two strands as at first. Repeat until the ends of the strands have been reached—leaving from half an inch to an inch and a half of ends hanging free so that when the rope is put under repeated strain for the first few days, the stretching of the splice will not pull the ends from under the last strand under which they were tucked. After a few days service the free ends may be safely trimmed even with the face of the rope. After the splice has been completed by tucking the ends as above, remove whipping on strands and lay the splice on the floor and roll it under the foot, or in the case of a large rope, pound it with a mallet to make it round and smooth. The appearance of the splice is improved if the strands are divided in half just before the last tuck is made, and one-half is cut off while the other half is used to complete the splice. This splice may also be made by simply laying the ropes together and then tucking them as above without first tying the simple Over-hand knots. A skilled workman frequently dispenses with the whipping in making a splice.

Fig. 45. An Eye-splice is so much smaller and neater than a knotted eye in the end of a rope that it is much to be preferred to the latter. The Eye-splice is made similar to the short-splice except that the strands on the end of the rope are unlaid for the full length of the splice. The ends are tucked under, over and under, etc., the strands of the standing part of the rope. Stretch well and cut off the loose ends of the strands.

Fig. 46. Long splice. If it is desired to unite two rope ends so that the splices will pass through a pulley as readily and smoothly as the rope itself, what is known as a Long splice is used. This is best suited as it does not cause an enlargement in the rope at the point where the splice is made. To make it, unlay the ends of two ropes to the length of at least five and a half times the circumference of the rope. Interlace the strands as for the Short splice. Unlay one strand and fill up the vacant space which it leaves with the strand next to it from the other rope end. Then turn the rope over and lay hold of the two next strands that will come opposite their respective lays. Unlay one, filling up the vacant space as before, with the other. Take one third out of each strand, knot the opposite one-thirds together and heave them well in place. Tuck all six ends once under adjacent strands and having stretched the splice well, cut off the ends. The ending of successive pairs should occur at intervals in the splice as shown, and not at the two ends as in the Short splice.

Fig. 47. A Chain splice is used for splicing a rope into a chain end which is required to travel through a block or small opening. It is also sometimes used for making an ordinary eye in the end of a rope. Four or six strand rope lends itself more readily to this type of splice than does a three strand rope. To make a chain splice, unlay the strands more than for an eye splice, then unlay a little further one strand in a three strand rope, and two strands in a four strand rope. Bend the two parts together and tie an Over-hand knot so that the divided strands will lay together again. Continue to lay the ends in by passing them through the eye. When the eye has been completely laid up, the remaining ends should be tucked in the standing part of the rope as in a very short splice. This makes an eye which will not pull out even if the ends of the strands are only whipped without first tucking. It is especially valuable in forming smooth eyes in steel cable, without the use of clamps. In this case, however, the eye must be made considerably longer than in the case of hemp rope.

Fig. 48. The Cut splice is formed similar to the Eye splice, except that the two rope ends are extended past each other and joined into the standing part of the ropes. This type of splice is frequently used to hold the rings in rope ladders. It can also be used where it is desired to attach a spar or rod to the middle of a line.