Fid

Last updated
Fid in use on a rope aboard a ship US Navy 060614-N-2659P-025 Seaman Jamie Lewis uses a fid to repair a snag on a mooring line aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).jpg
Fid in use on a rope aboard a ship

A fid is a conical tool traditionally made of wood or bone. It is used to work with rope and canvas in marlinespike seamanship. A fid differs from a marlinspike in material and purposes. A marlinspike is used in working with wire rope, natural and synthetic lines, may be used to open shackles, and is made of metal. A fid is used to hold open knots and holes in canvas, and to separate the "lays" (or strands) of synthetic or natural rope for splicing. A variation of the fid, the gripfid, is used for ply-split braiding. The gripfid has a jamming cleat to pull a cord back through the cord split by the fid's point.

Contents

Modern fids are typically made of aluminum, steel, or plastic. In addition to holding rope open to assist the creation of a rope splice, modern push fids have markings for precise measurements in a variety of sizes of rope. The length of these fids is typically 21 or 22 times the diameter of rope to be spliced. A one-half-inch (12.7 mm) diameter rope would have any accompanying fid 10.5–11 in (266.7–279.4 mm) in length with hash-marks denoting the long and short fid measurements. A short fid is 1⁄3 a fid length and a long fid is 2⁄3 the overall fid length.

Modern major rope manufacturers such as Yale Cordage, [1] New England Ropes, [2] and Samson Rope Technologies [3] each have full sets of published splicing directions available on their websites. Typically, all splice directions measurements use fid-length as the unit of measurement.

Below is a chart that shows exact measurements of full fid lengths, short fid lengths, and long fid lengths, using 21 times the diameter of the rope.

Rope
Diameter (in or mm)		Rope
Circ. (in or mm)		Short Fid
(in or mm)		Long Fid
(in or mm)		Full Fid
(in or mm)
3⁄32 in or 2.3813 mm9⁄32 in or 7.1438 mm2⁄3 in or 16.933 mm1+1⁄3 in or 33.867 mm2 in or 50.8 mm
1⁄8 in or 3.175 mm3⁄8 in or 9.525 mm7⁄8 in or 22.225 mm2+3⁄8 in or 60.325 mm1+3⁄4 in or 44.45 mm
5⁄32 in or 3.9688 mm1+15⁄32 in or 37.3063 mm1 in or 25.4 mm2+1⁄5 in or 55.88 mm3+2⁄7 in or 83.4571 mm
3⁄16 in or 4.7625 mm9⁄16 in or 14.2875 mm1+1⁄3 in or 33.867 mm2+5⁄8 in or 66.675 mm4 in or 101.6 mm
7⁄32 in or 5.5563 mm21⁄32 in or 16.6688 mm1+1⁄8 in or 28.575 mm3 in or 76.2 mm4+3⁄5 in or 116.84 mm
1⁄4 in or 6.35 mm3⁄4 in or 19.05 mm1+1⁄4 in or 31.75 mm3+1⁄2 in or 88.9 mm5+1⁄5 in or 132.08 mm
9⁄32 in or 7.1438 mm27⁄32 in or 21.4313 mm2 in or 50.8 mm4 in or 101.6 mm6 in or 152.4 mm
5⁄16 in or 7.9375 mm1 in or 25.4 mm2+1⁄5 in or 55.88 mm4+3⁄8 in or 111.125 mm6+4⁄7 in or 166.9143 mm
3⁄8 in or 9.525 mm1+1⁄8 in or 28.575 mm2+5⁄8 in or 66.675 mm5+1⁄8 in or 130.175 mm7+7⁄8 in or 200.025 mm
7⁄16 in or 11.1125 mm1+1⁄4 in or 31.75 mm3 in or 76.2 mm6+1⁄8 in or 155.575 mm9+1⁄5 in or 233.68 mm
1⁄2 in or 12.7 mm1+1⁄2 in or 38.1 mm3+1⁄2 in or 88.9 mm7 in or 177.8 mm10+1⁄2 in or 266.7 mm
9⁄16 in or 14.2875 mm1+1⁄4 in or 31.75 mm4 in or 101.6 mm7+7⁄8 in or 200.025 mm11+4⁄5 in or 299.72 mm
5⁄8 in or 15.875 mm2 in or 50.8 mm4+3⁄8 in or 111.125 mm8+3⁄4 in or 222.25 mm13+1⁄8 in or 333.375 mm
11⁄16 in or 17.4625 mm2+1⁄4 in or 57.15 mm4+4⁄5 in or 121.92 mm9+3⁄8 in or 238.125 mm14+4⁄9 in or 366.8889 mm
3⁄4 in or 19.05 mm2+1⁄4 in or 57.15 mm5+1⁄4 in or 133.35 mm10+1⁄2 in or 266.7 mm15+3⁄4 in or 400.05 mm
7⁄8 in or 22.225 mm2+3⁄4 in or 69.85 mm6+1⁄8 in or 155.575 mm12+1⁄4 in or 311.15 mm18+3⁄8 in or 466.725 mm
1 in or 25.4 mm3 in or 76.2 mm7 in or 177.8 mm14 in or 355.6 mm21 in or 533.4 mm
1+1⁄8 in or 28.575 mm3+1⁄2 in or 88.9 mm7+7⁄8 in or 200.025 mm15+3⁄4 in or 400.05 mm23+3⁄8 in or 593.725 mm
1+1⁄4 in or 31.75 mm3+3⁄4 in or 95.25 mm8+3⁄4 in or 222.25 mm17+1⁄2 in or 444.5 mm23+1⁄4 in or 590.55 mm
1+5⁄16 in or 33.3375 mm4 in or 101.6 mm9+1⁄5 in or 233.68 mm18+3⁄8 in or 466.725 mm27+4⁄7 in or 700.3143 mm
1+1⁄2 in or 38.1 mm4+1⁄2 in or 114.3 mm10+1⁄2 in or 266.7 mm21 in or 533.4 mm31+1⁄2 in or 800.1 mm
1+5⁄8 in or 41.275 mm5 in or 127 mm11+3⁄8 in or 288.925 mm22+3⁄4 in or 577.85 mm34+1⁄8 in or 866.775 mm
1+3⁄4 in or 44.45 mm5+1⁄2 in or 139.7 mm12+1⁄4 in or 311.15 mm24+1⁄2 in or 622.3 mm36+3⁄4 in or 933.45 mm
2 in or 50.8 mm6 in or 152.4 mm14 in or 355.6 mm28 in or 711.2 mm42 in or 1,066.8 mm
2+1⁄8 in or 53.975 mm6+1⁄4 in or 158.75 mm14+7⁄8 in or 377.825 mm29+3⁄4 in or 755.65 mm44+5⁄8 in or 1,133.475 mm
2+1⁄4 in or 57.15 mm7 in or 177.8 mm15+3⁄4 in or 400.05 mm31+1⁄2 in or 800.1 mm47+1⁄4 in or 1,200.15 mm
2+1⁄2 in or 63.5 mm7+1⁄2 in or 190.5 mm17+1⁄2 in or 444.5 mm35 in or 889 mm52+1⁄2 in or 1,333.5 mm
2+5⁄8 in or 66.675 mm8 in or 203.2 mm18+5⁄8 in or 473.075 mm36+3⁄4 in or 933.45 mm55+1⁄8 in or 1,400.175 mm
2+3⁄4 in or 69.85 mm8+1⁄2 in or 215.9 mm19+1⁄4 in or 488.95 mm38+1⁄2 in or 977.9 mm57+3⁄4 in or 1,466.85 mm
3 in or 76.2 mm9 in or 228.6 mm21 in or 533.4 mm42 in or 1,066.8 mm63 in or 1,600.2 mm
3+1⁄4 in or 82.55 mm10 in or 254 mm22+1⁄4 in or 565.15 mm45+1⁄2 in or 1,155.7 mm68+1⁄8 in or 1,730.375 mm

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shuttlecock</span> Sport equipment

A shuttlecock is a high-drag projectile used in the sport of badminton. It has an open conical shape formed by feathers or plastic embedded into a rounded cork base. The shuttlecock's shape makes it extremely aerodynamically stable. Regardless of initial orientation, it will turn to fly cork first, and remain in the cork-first orientation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yarn</span> Long continuous length of interlocked fibres

Yarn is a long continuous length of interlocked fibres, used in sewing, crocheting, knitting, weaving, embroidery, ropemaking, and the production of textiles. Thread is a type of yarn intended for sewing by hand or machine. Modern manufactured sewing threads may be finished with wax or other lubricants to withstand the stresses involved in sewing. Embroidery threads are yarns specifically designed for needlework. Yarn can be made of a number of natural or synthetic materials, and comes in a variety of colors and thicknesses. Although yarn may be dyed different colours, most yarns are solid coloured with a uniform hue.

A whipping knot or whipping is a binding of marline twine or whipcord around the end of a rope to prevent its natural tendency to fray.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rope</span> Length of braided strands

A rope is a group of yarns, plies, fibres, or strands that are twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have tensile strength and so can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger than similarly constructed cord, string, and twine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ropework</span>

Ropework or marlinespike seamanship are umbrella terms for a skillset spanning the use, maintenance, and repair of rope. Ropework is used by seafarers, climbers and military personnel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Running rigging</span> Lines that control sails

Running rigging is the rigging of a sailing vessel that is used for raising, lowering, shaping and controlling the sails on a sailing vessel—as opposed to the standing rigging, which supports the mast and bowsprit. Running rigging varies between vessels that are rigged fore and aft and those that are square-rigged.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rope splicing</span> Semi-permanent joint between two ropes

Rope splicing in ropework is the forming of a semi-permanent joint between two ropes or two parts of the same rope by partly untwisting and then interweaving their strands. Splices can be used to form a stopper at the end of a line, to form a loop or an eye in a rope, or for joining two ropes together. Splices are preferred to knotted rope, since while a knot typically reduces the strength by 20–40%, a splice is capable of attaining a rope's full strength. However, splicing usually results in a thickening of the line and, if subsequently removed, leaves a distortion of the rope. Most types of splices are used on three-strand rope, but some can be done on 12-strand or greater single-braided rope, as well as most double braids.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buntline hitch</span> Type of knot

The buntline hitch is a knot used for attaching a rope to an object. It is formed by passing the working end around an object, then making a clove hitch around the rope's standing part and taking care that the turns of the clove hitch progress towards the object rather than away from it. Secure and easily tied, the buntline hitch will jam when subjected to extreme loads. Given the knot's propensity to jam, it is often made in slipped form.

The buntline hitch, when bent to a yard, makes a more secure knot than two half hitches, but is more liable to jam. It differs from two half hitches in that the second half hitch is inside instead of outside the first one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cricket nets</span>

Cricket nets are used by batters and bowlers to practice their cricketing techniques. They consist of a cricket pitch enclosed by netting on either side, behind, and optionally above. The bowling end is left open.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prusik knot</span> Type of knot

A Prusik is a friction hitch or knot used to attach a loop of cord around a rope, applied in climbing, canyoneering, mountaineering, caving, rope rescue, ziplining, and by arborists. The term Prusik is a name for both the loops of cord used to tie the hitch and the hitch itself, and the verb is "to prusik" or "prusiking". More casually, the term is used for any friction hitch or device that can grab a rope. Due to the pronunciation, the word is often misspelled Prussik, Prussick, or Prussic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wood shingle</span> Tapered pieces to cover building roofs and walls

Wood shingles are thin, tapered pieces of wood primarily used to cover roofs and walls of buildings to protect them from the weather. Historically shingles, also known as shakes, were split from straight grained, knot free bolts of wood. Today shingles are mostly made by being cut which distinguishes them from shakes, which are made by being split out of a bolt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marlinspike</span> Tool used in marine ropework

A marlinspike is a tool used in marine ropework. Shaped in the form of a narrow metal cone tapered to a rounded or flattened point, it is used in tasks such as unlaying rope for splicing, untying knots, drawing tight using a marlinspike hitch, and as a toggle joining ropes under tension in a belaying pin splice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parachute cord</span> Multi-core rope originally used for parachutes

Parachute cord is a lightweight nylon kernmantle rope originally used in the suspension lines of parachutes. This cord is now used as a general purpose utility cord. This versatile cord was used by astronauts during the 82nd Space Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wire rope</span> Metal rope

Wire rope is composed of as few as two solid, metal wires twisted into a helix that forms a composite rope, in a pattern known as laid rope. Larger diameter wire rope consists of multiple strands of such laid rope in a pattern known as cable laid. Manufactured using an industrial machine known as a strander, the wires are fed through a series of barrels and spun into their final composite orientation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ropewalk</span> Long narrow lane or building for making rope

A ropewalk is a long straight narrow lane, or a covered pathway, where long strands of material are laid before being twisted into rope. Due to the length of some ropewalks, workers may use bicycles to get from one end to the other.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eye splice</span> Method of creating a loop in the end of a rope

The eye splice is a method of creating a permanent loop in the end of a rope by means of rope splicing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarring (rope)</span> Coating fibers with pine tar or coal tar

Tarring is protecting some types of natural fibre and wire rope by coating it with tar. Hemp rope, which was typically used for standing rigging, requires tarring. Manila and cotton ropes were used for running rigging and were not tarred as this would make the rope too stiff to run easily through blocks. Regular tarring at sea was required when sailing ships used hemp rope - once every 6 months for a ship on a long voyage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top (tool)</span> Tool used in the manufacture of laid rope

A top is a hand tool with an iron loop and hook used in the creation and splicing of rope. A Top is used to simultaneously hold a piece of rope while providing a hole to separate the "lays" of synthetic or natural rope for splicing. A variation of a Top, the gripfid, is used for ply-split braiding. The gripfid has a jamming cleat to pull a cord back through the cord split by the fid's point. A variation of a Top can also be used as a rope wrench, rope separator or rope tool can be used in the manufacture of laid rope. The top is used to prevent the strands of a rope twisting together prematurely, which would lead to the rope being loose, allowing it to untwist. The amount of pressure applied to the top determines the stiffness of the final product; more pressure forces the strands together more tightly, making a rope that is harder to bend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paintbrush</span> Brush for painting

A paintbrush is a brush used to apply paint or ink. A paintbrush is usually made by clamping bristles to a handle with a ferrule. They are available in various sizes, shapes, and materials. Thicker ones are used for filling in, and thinner ones are used for details. They may be subdivided into decorators' brushes used for painting and decorating and artists' brushes use for visual art.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downs & Son</span> Australian rope and twine manufacturing firm

Downs & Son was a rope and twine manufacturing firm located in Brunswick, Victoria, Australia, which operated the Samson Cordage Works factory in Brunswick. The factory was the oldest and last surviving rope works in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, and the best surviving in Melbourne.

References

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.