Creating soft shackle. Cannot pull cord through. Help from the experts

[paustin]

Morning all,

I'm trying to create a soft shackle but am getting totally stuck. I'm using 1/8 inch Amsteel.
1. I run a skewer through 6 inches of Amsteel, squishing up the cord.
2. I replace the skewer with a doubled-up piece of wire.
3. I hook the end of the Amsteel through the wire and attempt to pull it through the cord.

No joy. If I work it for 20 or 30 minutes I might get it halfway through. I've broken the wire twice, and my hands are sore. Help! Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

(I have not posted pics before - hope it looks ok)

IMG_20140916_095900.jpg

[Redoleary]

You need a bigger taper. Over the last inch or so cut the amsteel on a long shallow angle so it comes to a point and there are only two or three strands at the tip.

[JoeR]

HI Paustin
I am no expert but have made quite a few of these. I think you need to taper back the end of the cord from the end you are trying to pull through. From 3/4 of an inch or so from the end of the cord pull out half the strands and cut them off, this will leave the end of the cord approximately half the thickness. I never bother with the skewer but go straight with the doubled over wire, you should be careful to open up the weave of the cord but not split the individual strands on your entry with the wire and the exit. Catch the end of the cord with the wire at the half way point where you have tapered it, so once you fold it back it will be the thickness of the original cord and not double the thickness. It should pull through relatively easily just kind of roll the entry point with your thumb and finger to get it going. You do not need to pull hard, in fact that will not help. If you still struggle maybe someone can explain it better there are loads of good tutorials on youtube. Once you have done it a couple of time you will find it easy and fun

[Bubba]

As others have said, tapering will make your life much easier.

[paustin]

ahhhhh, much much better. Thanks, it worked perfectly the first time. Never done this before and it didn't occur to me. Y'all rock.

Pete

[printgeek]

paustin,

I scoffed at the idea of tapering when I started making whoopie slings and just used a pair of work gloves and dealt with the soreness and blisters that resulted as a DIY'er badge of honor. It wasn't until after I started working with Zing-It that I finally had to cut a few strands back and it was like "omg, why the heck have I been giving myself blisters this whole time?"

Also, I think you need to find another wire to use that isn't as big or as brittle, i've never had one break on me.

[DanglingModifier]

The taper contributes to the strength of the bury in addition to making the bury easier to accomplish. It's a win-win.

[Phantom Grappler]

All great advice above
I'm weak at splicing but you might also try pushing the outer rope over the inner rope kind of like a snake eating lunch

[G-Diddy]

What DanglingModifier said - the taper is more for the integrity of the bury. No taper, no strength.

[hutzelbein]

Fraying the end also helps a lot. Fraying and tapering = perfect