ProMark Offroad Blog

Splicing is a great way to prepare new rope or repair used or broken synthetic ropes. Eye splicing is a fairly simple process. Follow these instructions and diagrams to eye splice a 12 strand synthetic winch rope. These instructions are available courtesy of www.ropeinc.com.

To learn more about our synthetic ropes, see our ProMark Offroad synthetic winch ropes for ATV and recovery winches.

Step 1 – Form Eye

Find the circumference of the rope and multiply this number by 7 (OR find the diameter of the rope and multiply by 21). Measure this distance from the end of the rope. Mark the distance with tape as ‘Mark A.’ Make sure the tape is wound around the rope tight enough to prevent the rope from unbraiding.

Make a loop at the end of the rope to form an eye. Wrap the rope around the metal thimble loop to find the correct eye size. Mark the point across from ‘Mark A’ as ‘Mark B’ with tape. Again, make sure the tape is tight around the rope.

Step 2 – Separate Strands

Tape the end of each separate strand. Unbraid the strands up to ‘Mark A.’ Be careful not to remove the twist from each individual strand.

Step 3 – Pair Strands

ProMark Synthetic Rope is compromised of 12 strands. Six of these strands are twisted to the left, and six strands are twisted to the right.

Tape together one left twist strand and one right twist strand. Repeat until all 12 strands are paired together. Pair strands that are close together as they emerge from the tape wrap at ‘Mark A.’

Step 4 – Mark Pairs

With the rope laid out and the eye formed, choose three pairs closest to the standing part of the rope and mark as #1, #2, and #3 respectively. Mark the remaining three pairs as #4, #5, and #6.

Step 5 – Insert Strands

Using a fid (tool used to splice rope), open the rope at ‘Mark B’ and insert strand pairs #1, #2, and #3 completely through the rope at right angles to the rope axis. Once strands #1, #2, and #3 are through the rope, pull each strand so that the taped end (Mark A) is snug against the body of the rope. It may be easier to pass the strand pairs through the rope one set at a time.

Step 6 – Initial Strand Tuck

Note that the rope braid pattern forms a line of strand crowns running parallel to the axis of rope.

1. Starting with strand pair #1, select a row of crowns down the axis of the rope and tuck pair #1 over one strand and under two strands. Once tucked, pull out the slack in strand pair #1. Make only one tuck.
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2. Now tuck pair strands #2 and #3 in the same way. With each pair, select a crown row and tuck the individual pair over one strand and under two strands. Pull out the slack in each strand.



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3. With remaining pair strands #4, #5, and #6, select a crown row for each pair and make one tuck. Pull out the slack in each pair.
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4. Remove the tape wrap at ‘Mark A’ and gently but firmly pull on each of the strand pairs until ‘Mark A’ is snug to the base of the eye (Mark B).
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5. Now complete two more sets of tucks with each taped strand pair. Be sure to tuck each strand pair down the same crown strand line. Try to keep the twist in each pair, and continually remove slack from each strand pair after tucking.

Step 7 – Taper

1. Cut off strand pairs #1, #3, and #5.
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2. Tuck strand pairs #2, #4, and #6 for an additional three tucks (over one and under two). Keep the twist in the strands and remove excess slack.

Step 8 – Final Tucks

1. Split each strand pair (#2, #4, and #6) into two individual strands and tape each strand.
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2. Cut off one strand in each pair, leaving a short tail projecting from the last tuck.



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3. Tuck the remaining three single taped strands for three tucks (over one and under two), removing slack and keeping the twist.
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4. Now cut off the taped strands, leaving a short tail projecting, as shown.