I have done a lot of double-braid eye splices from 5/16" Dacron to 1" nylon mooring pennants. I highly recommend Brion Toss' Splicing Wands, (http://www.briontoss.com/catalog/splicinggear.html) over fids, and the combination of Brion's instructions and the New England Ropes instructions that come with their fids. The Complete Rigger's Apprentice is also a good resource. Although I have done many of them, I find the process totally counter-intuitive. Don't think (or drink); just follow the directions. Brion has some videos which make the splices look way too easy.