Splicing 5/8 Amsteel

[Samstree805]

I recently purchased a bunch of slightly used and new Amsteel 5/8” for a crazy deal. . I will be using for many different things but I will starting with winch line for my big winch. What’s the best way to learn how to splice some eyes/ loops in the ends of it? Any good videos or literature? I did some splicing about 10 years ago but have forgotten most of it.

 

[flushcut]

Samson has a good book that covers splicing of several different rope constructions and materials. YouTube is a good source for learning. Basically amsteel is the same splice as tennex with a longer final bury.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Samstree805, that looks like a heck of a haul of incredible rope. When I click on your screen name I see you joined the Buzz in 2022. I remember great, elongated, conversations about risks of using Amsteel and similar ropes for certain things but none as recently as 22 that I recall.

I don't know enough about it to speak intelligently on the subject. Perhaps others could weigh in. And search old threads on the topic. Heat being one issue and shock loads being another - there may be more.

At first glance it seemed a great idea to have such a light line able to be made into slings with a very high load rating. Then you watch a manufacturer video of a relatively small load being dropped into it (200 lbs? A hand full of feet?) and the sling snapping. Just something to be aware of.

 

[evo]

Without looking it up amsteel is something like 3.5 fids bury. Locking brumels negatively affect the strength more than other poly lines but greatly secure the splice as it’s so slippery.
Personally I just do a straight bury, and a ‘super’ taper. Essentially just add about 1/2 fid, and do a much longer gradual taper than not.

5/8ths is no joke!

 

[Matias]

For winch lines, I'm with Evo. Four fid bury and a really smooth gradual taper. With individual strands that fat, I even cut each strand at as much of an angle as I can get with the stubby shears I use to cut high modulus fiber.

 

[Samstree805]

How does it do with a bowline or fisherman’s?

 

[Matias]

It works for a while, but the bowline will slip until the tail pulls through. A triple fishermans will hold, but it binds so hard that you can't get the hook to not sit cockeyed after a while. The splice is painfully easy, and you can get it done with a wire coat hanger if you're just doing the one ever.

 

[evo]

How does it do with a bowline or fisherman’s?

Both significantly reduces the strength, more so bowlines. But with 5/8ths I can’t see that being too much of an issue unless you’re doing something seriously wild. I can’t think of any practical use for 5/8ths amsteel in general tree work, logging yeah sure all day long there is use for static loads in that range…
I’d favor x3 fisherman’s if knotting.

 

[Matias]

That's the bigger point really, is that it cuts the strength down so much, it makes it not much better than running a good poly rope