splicing running line

[Charles Sullivan]

Ladies and gentlemen,
a well used portion of the running line on me 14 ft 9/10 has worn out. I cut out the worn section. What is the best way to reconnect? This portion will have to glide through the guides during the cast (at least river left:) .
I know you all have to make this repair. The nail not won't stick without tearing the outer shell of the line.
Pitchers and catchers report on Friday,
cds

[john wells]

try replacing the whole section of running line using a epoxy splice check out trey combs's first steelhead book if you can't find it pm me
john

[speyforsteel]

You can blind splice a mono running line in that is pretty smooth through the guides
You can do what I do and splice a loop with the core at the back of the rear taper and use a alternate running line with a factory or homemade loop or just splice a new running line in with no loop
PM me if you want some intructions,it's not hard and only takes a few cheap items but it takes some time to get good at it.

[Salmo_g]

I echo John's suggestion to use an epoxy splice.

[bigtj]

Practice the epoxy splice first on scap line. Once you figure out the technique, check it frequently. If the splice is weak, some day a fish will take the line in front of the running line for a ride. Don't ask me how I know this.

[Charles Sullivan]

I have the book., the materials, and now the confidence that it is the right procedure.

Go Red Sox,
cds

[Charles Sullivan]

Allright gentlemen, I am struggling with getting the needle a whole inch in. (there's a ready made joke for you)
What sort of needle do I need? WTF is a beading needle? What do I need to do to get the needle a whole inch in (stop snickering and help).:) Thanks guys, I gotta get this done friday night.

P&C tommorow!
cds

[Happy Gilmore]

U want Dritz size 24/26 tapestry needles. A pin vise can certainly help (typical cutting torch pin vise for tip cleaners is alright and cheap). I've gathered the bits but not had a chance to get to splicing, since I busted up some other needles and now have the better ones, so others can help with the rest.

[Preston]

I posted a description and pictures of the epoxy splice on the regular forum in a thread titled "Make a Custom Versi-tip", look it up. When I used to use .029 floating running line on my custom setups, I found the the wear (cracking and peeling) usually occurred in the front few feet of running line; that portion subjected to the most stretching and friction. At the end of a season I'd reverse the running line (since the core was intact and undamaged) and when both ends were worn, I'd cut off the first ten feet or so, re-splice and carry on.

[Salmo_g]

Charles,

I always found it hard to keep the large floating line straight to stick the needle into it. So I made a simple jig to hold it. Two pieces of wood 3/4"X3/4"X 1 1/2". Cut a small groove across the center of one piece. Lay the floating line in it. Cover with the 2nd piece. Wrap each end with a couple rubber bands. Real hi-tech, huh? I leave the floating line sticking out about 1/16" from one end. This keeps the line nice and straight while working the needle up the middle of its braid. I also found it easier to start with a smaller diameter needle and then work up with a second or third to enlarge the hole before trying to pull the core of the running line through.

And I seldom got it a full inch in either. I found that 3/4" worked just fine, and never had a finished line pull apart. I think the epoxy is mainly for psychological security. It's the finger-lock trick of line core squeezing the running line core that holds it in there.

But it wouldn't have been right to tell you this stuff until you'd jabbed your finger tying to get the needle in there first.

Sg

[Charles Sullivan]

Thank You. I will make the jig and try with my existing needles first.

SG,
If it makes you feel better, and I know it does, I have bled a little bit in this process. I would not have asked again if I hadn't though. Good luck this weekend to all who have helped.

Go Sox,
cds

[speyforsteel]

one thing that helps is to dull the needle a little,it really makes a difference in how far you can stab it in the core as it tends to follow the path of least resistance,the middle of the core,also I use Aquaseal instead of epoxy,I've spliced lines for me and a lot of my bud's and I've never had one fail.

[fisshman26]

Try a gel super glue like loctite gell. Your splice is ready in minutes vs hours or days and I have NEVER had one fail.

[Charles Sullivan]

I have been trying to splice 2 pieces of running line together. Is this possible. I haven't been ables to succedd in 2 hours of trying. I don't think that it is possible to splice 2 pieces of running line.

Go Sox,
cds

[speyforsteel]

Should be no problem.practice practice practice:beathead:

[Bert Kinghorn]

I have been trying to splice 2 pieces of running line together. Is this possible. I haven't been ables to succedd in 2 hours of trying. I don't think that it is possible to splice 2 pieces of running line.

Go Sox,
cds

Actually, it can be easier than splicing lines with thicker coatings. With running lines, there just does not seem to be as much plastic sqeezing the the core gap together. Speyforsteel is right as always--practice helps.