Swaging wire rope

[oceanjake]

Any pointers? I’m going to make a lifting harness for a 13’ whaler tomorrow with a swage tool from west marine that uses two bolts to crimp. Is it pretty straightforward or is it easy to damage the rope/cable?

[PeterK]

Make sure you have the right sized ferrules for the swagging tool. I've been making my own for several years with no issues. I need to remake four I use every year as I use them to restrain batteries for my inverter banks. They are wet cells so fumes tend to destroy the cables over time...

[tonytrakovich]

They are pretty easy to make. I have used rope to make a test lifting bridle. I use this test bridle to get my CG / leg lengths correct. Then I make an actual lifting bridle out of spectra. It has the same strength as the wire but is super flexible, lightweight and easy to stow. The eye splices are easy with you tube videos. Or you can use the cable and do the crimps right in the store. It is super fast and you make flawless crimps.

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

I ground the blades on an old set of bolt cutters to make a very effective crimping tool.

[SEVEN]

I just go to West Marine and use their tool. Comes out perfect every time.

[Pascal]

I just go to West Marine and use their tool. Comes out perfect every time.

That's why i do when a need a new lifting harness.

I have used the cripping bar with the bolts for some stays on my sailboat it works fine. Takes a little longer but the crimps are secure

By the way for lifting harnesses i no longer use the welded rings to attach the cables together as i had one fail. Luckily the tender was just 4' off the water and there was no damage. Instead I use an oversized shackle