DIY splicing tools!!! CHEAP

**Albert Skye** · 02-08-2010, 16:11

Originally Posted by tlbj6142

Are those long enough? Small enough for 1.75mm?

Originally Posted by stickboy

brass is not gona kink like an antenna will.

They're made in many different lengths. Each antenna naturally has a range of diameters (because it's telescoping). They're plenty strong enough for my purposes.

I've been salvaging such antennas from discarded radios for years; free, high quality, thin-walled, chrome-plated, brass tubing.

**opie** · 02-08-2010, 16:24

I tried making one like this with a piece of spectra fishing line as the snare. Mine didnt work but looks like stickboy got it done.

Good job.

**UCMWINGS** · 02-13-2010, 15:30

I've been looking at something similar except using old guitar strings for the snare. I've been using folded guitar strings by themselves, haven't found any brass tubing yet.

**TiredFeet** · 02-13-2010, 16:34

We just took some 1/8" diameter AL rod about 6" long, ground one end to a dull point and on the other end ground flats on opposing sides and drilled a hole through the flats. Polished the dull point and body of the rod so that it doesn't snag inside braided rope.

Then used a short length of spectra fishing line and threaded it through the hole and tied a loop. We used 200# test - only spectra fishing line we have - probably over kill.

The flats facilitate drilling the hole and also allow the loop to slide through the center of the braided rope easier.

Works fine for field splicing 1/8" braided rope. Easy to carry also.

Cost? Zero - since we used what we had on hand.

**SlowBro** · 02-13-2010, 17:12

Me thinks we have come quite a way from my wife's Yarn Darning needle.

**KerMegan** · 02-14-2010, 17:24

Originally Posted by SlowBro

Me thinks we have come quite a way from my wife's Yarn Darning needle.

and yet, it works, is cheap and can be found in many stores...
KM (who is all for simplicity..)

**CCS86** · 09-11-2011, 13:23

Here's my simple DIY solution:

Take a length of stainless steel safety wire, double it back on itself. Starting about 1" from the folded point, add a tight twist for as long as you want it. Snip it and sand that end smooth. I also crimped the folded end tight to grab the line well. Finally, I dabbed a bit of superglue in near the tip to ensure it stays as one.

**hangNyak** · 09-11-2011, 14:29

2 ft length of copper welding wire bent in half. Twist together, leaving a small loop in the end. Thin enough to splice braided mason line.

**Sparrow** · 09-11-2011, 14:58

+1 to guitar strings.

I don't play so I have a few friends who supply me with broken ones.

Only $1.19 new anyways.

**bluethundra** · 09-11-2011, 18:22

Originally Posted by CCS86

Here's my simple DIY solution:

Take a length of stainless steel safety wire, double it back on itself. Starting about 1" from the folded point, add a tight twist for as long as you want it. Snip it and sand that end smooth. I also crimped the folded end tight to grab the line well. Finally, I dabbed a bit of superglue in near the tip to ensure it stays as one.

Good idea I will have to try this.