So I thought I'd do some pics of my method for an easy soft shackle.
Only tools needed are a standard fid (or anything to push on tail through the other rope), a knife and maybe whipping twine and a needle.

I also like the two 'arms' method as you get less of chance of picking out threads where you open the loop up to open the shackle.
I also find it chafes better and is easier to close the loop.

Firstly, cut a piece of dyneema the diameter of tge shackle you want x2, plus 2 x 300mm tails.
Find the middle and mark. Then mark the two points for the size of the shackle.

The using the fid, pass one tail through a point just off centre to the centre mark. The tail you pass through should be from the long side, yellow in this case







Pull through so loop I'd around 4 times the diameter of the rope


Put the two tails between the fingers on your non dominant hand, with the length marks at you fingers


make a loop in yellow and roll over green




Put the yellow tail between you ring and little finger.
Then take the green and take it around the back of yellow and in front of the loop, pulling the green through a little and passing through that as it goes over the loop



Remove the yellow tail and tighten all slightly. You should have a figure 8 or diamond shape



Take green around the back of yellow and up through the middle hole



Now this is the tricky bit, to do and explain!!
Take yellow around the back and behind green (where it comes out of your hand) before bringing up through the hole




Now tighten and you will have to work shackle 'arms' through a bit to get the length right.
Once length right, tighten a lot!!


now with the tails, you can use a hot knife like I have or if you don't have one, whip the tails together. This stops the getting frayed and messy

Oh I meant to add, these are good for about 1.5 times the rope strength.
The dyneema I use has the following break strengths
3mm 1000kg
4mm 2200kg
5mm 3500kg
6mm 4800kg

And for a comparison of how strong something needs to be on a yacht, a strong guy can pull 1500kg on a 40st winch in perfect position with all his strength!!

Thanks for the different method. A lot simpler than the ones on You Tube. I made my first (youtube) version on the weekend. Nothing else to do with the wet weather. Very satisfying and therapeutic. I'll give yours a go next. Still haven't got to the boat to check out the furler tack ring.

Can I marry into your family Rumblefish?
Thanks very much mate!!

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shaggybaxter said..
Can I marry into your family Rumblefish?
Thanks very much mate!!

Well my mums gay and my sister is happily married so I don't like your chances!!

Just next time you have one of those lovely QLD overnighters coming up, give me a yell and I'll pay my way in splicing :))

I like your explanation of a diamond knot. Getting the last ( yellow) tail through the correct hole is always tricky. Your way seems straightforward. Any tips on how to get them nice and tight and symmetrical in position that you want?

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frant said..
I like your explanation of a diamond knot. Getting the last ( yellow) tail through the correct hole is always tricky. Your way seems straightforward. Any tips on how to get them nice and tight and symmetrical in position that you want?

Not really, apart from just working them through one at a time!

Oh actually, put the shackle together before final tightening. Means you know the legs are going to sit right

Thanks rumble,

Benno

You'll probably annoy the crap out of everyone by saying how quick you can do these. But I've samples of your rope work and can testify as to the quality. Helps when you do it daily.

Thanks for that RF. Very very helpful.

Is there any way in Seabreeze of making this a sticky?

I have been doing my own rope work for some time now and find it quite enjoyable. My last project was to make new sheets fo my Code '0' which I spliced in soft shackles instead of using clips. Has a number of advantages, no heavy clips flapping round, lighter and the biggest one was the $500.00 saved on clips. The main disadvantage is it is a little slower to connect and release and can not be released under load, so no good if you want to fire a tack.
All you need is a few basic tools and a hot knife. I have also found the book "Splicing modern ropes" to be very good as it covers most splicing you would need to do. With a bit of practice you get quicker and neater.


This is the book I use.




The tools I use plus a hot knife and sail makers needles.
The scissors are especially designed to cut exotic materials eg. Dyneema / Spectra. They are expensive but worth the money (about $80.00)

Nice kit Jode.
Mine is occasionally that sorted but in the middle of a splicing session, looks like this!!
Oh, these bags are the bomb too. Contact PhilY @ Deck Hardware if you want one!!

There are pockets in that bag for a reason ahahahaha

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animusmh12 said..
There are pockets in that bag for a reason ahahahaha

Yes I know but it's so much easier to find stuff quickly and throw it all back in when you're flat out splicing!!

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rumblefish said..
Nice kit Jode.
Mine is occasionally that sorted but in the middle of a splicing session, looks like this!!
Oh, these bags are the bomb too. Contact PhilY @ Deck Hardware if you want one!!

I can't lie, under the chart table where I plucked these tools from looks like your bag.

Aren't all chart tables the same!! Close to the companionway, where will I put this? Oh just chuck it in the chart table. Before you know it you can't close the lid. Then you do a race and the nava guesser wan't it all cleared out.

Rf.
I would like to thank you for showing us your TRADE SECRETS.
Mich appreciated.

Gary