So I purchased a new dinghy this week and needed stainless braided wire crimped with a loop on each end to go onto my transom u-bolts, and the other loop to go to a stainless O ring which is connected to my davit hoist. Dingy + motor = 131 lbs (I leave the 4hp motor attached while in the davits). I have no experience working with braided wire.
I dropped by Home Depot to find they had 1/4" uncoated stainless wire for a reasonable price (380 lb working weight for the wire and the dinghy will be slung from 4 points, so the working weight at each point will be some fraction of the 131 lbs), as well as the aluminum crimps, and a wire cutter and crimper to use. Sweet! So I asked a Home Depot associate for assistance in putting together the two pieces that I needed, and he made them for me on the spot. Total cost for ~3' of 1/4" stainless wire and 2 packages of aluminum crimps were $6.50, labor was free. They, somewhat roughly, came out like I needed.
However...
I'm concerned about the technique the Associate used and whether the resulting strength of the crimps can be relied upon. While he made the first loop he picked up a hammer and got onto the floor and smashed the aluminum crimp flat, leaving the slightly frayed end of the wire without a cap ("I don't use those, just put some electrical tape around it."). I asked him whether he should be using the crimper and his response was "My method is better." Blocking the entire isle with this project and his expansive claw hammer stokes he proceeded to finish the project for me. And for that I'm grateful. And his enthusiasm was noted by many of us.
But I'm wondering if the "hammer smash" method of crimping provides the necessary and expected strength for the crimps, or if I can look forward to having one or more unexpectedly fail, dropping the stern of the dinghy unceremoniously into my wake without warning while underway, causing unwanted excitement, and possibly great expense. I can certainly clean up the frayed ends with some rigger's tape, if that's the only issue.
Thoughts? Should I be worried?
I dropped by Home Depot to find they had 1/4" uncoated stainless wire for a reasonable price (380 lb working weight for the wire and the dinghy will be slung from 4 points, so the working weight at each point will be some fraction of the 131 lbs), as well as the aluminum crimps, and a wire cutter and crimper to use. Sweet! So I asked a Home Depot associate for assistance in putting together the two pieces that I needed, and he made them for me on the spot. Total cost for ~3' of 1/4" stainless wire and 2 packages of aluminum crimps were $6.50, labor was free. They, somewhat roughly, came out like I needed.
However...
I'm concerned about the technique the Associate used and whether the resulting strength of the crimps can be relied upon. While he made the first loop he picked up a hammer and got onto the floor and smashed the aluminum crimp flat, leaving the slightly frayed end of the wire without a cap ("I don't use those, just put some electrical tape around it."). I asked him whether he should be using the crimper and his response was "My method is better." Blocking the entire isle with this project and his expansive claw hammer stokes he proceeded to finish the project for me. And for that I'm grateful. And his enthusiasm was noted by many of us.
But I'm wondering if the "hammer smash" method of crimping provides the necessary and expected strength for the crimps, or if I can look forward to having one or more unexpectedly fail, dropping the stern of the dinghy unceremoniously into my wake without warning while underway, causing unwanted excitement, and possibly great expense. I can certainly clean up the frayed ends with some rigger's tape, if that's the only issue.
Thoughts? Should I be worried?
