I have purchased new lifelines and hardware, but I'm having trouble finding the appropriate swaging (crimping) tool. I am located in Eastern CT. Does anyone know of a source for the tool? I've been told the ones sold by West Marine and Defender are not the correct type (they are for the oval sleeves). Thanks for any help.
Looking for proper swaging tool for lifelines
- Thread starter David22365
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David, our WM has a swage tool that they...
let you use in the store for DIY life line fittings. They keep it on a work bench back by the fittings. It is the correct tool. Terry
let you use in the store for DIY life line fittings. They keep it on a work bench back by the fittings. It is the correct tool. Terry
Swage Toolz
C. Sherman Johnson (Eat Haddam, CT) offers excellent sailboat hardware, fittings, & tools: http://www.csjohnson.com/pages/marine_products.html Hand Crimpning Tools http://www.csjohnson.com/pages/online_catalog/marine/marine_catalog_page_11.html HTH Gord
C. Sherman Johnson (Eat Haddam, CT) offers excellent sailboat hardware, fittings, & tools: http://www.csjohnson.com/pages/marine_products.html Hand Crimpning Tools http://www.csjohnson.com/pages/online_catalog/marine/marine_catalog_page_11.html HTH Gord
- Jan 22, 2008
- 519
flying club
Another place that I have found useful when a local marina is not local, is my local flying club. Many of the light aircraft use ss wire for their control cables, and the maintenance (sp) department has both the swageing tool and nicopress fittings. They were able to replace my forestay with thimbles to my precise measurements for a few dollars donation to their coffee fund. (They couldn't figure out any other way to charge me for the ten minutes of labour and pennies of parts)
Another place that I have found useful when a local marina is not local, is my local flying club. Many of the light aircraft use ss wire for their control cables, and the maintenance (sp) department has both the swageing tool and nicopress fittings. They were able to replace my forestay with thimbles to my precise measurements for a few dollars donation to their coffee fund. (They couldn't figure out any other way to charge me for the ten minutes of labour and pennies of parts)
What type hardware?
Lifeline terminals are made for either machine swaging or hand crimping, not both. If you have the hand crimp kind then the Johnson Hand Crimp tool will work. If they are the machine swage kind then you'll have to find someone with a commercial swaging machine.
Lifeline terminals are made for either machine swaging or hand crimping, not both. If you have the hand crimp kind then the Johnson Hand Crimp tool will work. If they are the machine swage kind then you'll have to find someone with a commercial swaging machine.
Johnson fittings?
If you obtained Johnson fittings, they probably have a description of the type of tool you will require on the back of the package. For hand swages, there are two types, one for the copper sleeves used on rigging, the other for crimping the stainless tubes on life line hardware. While they appear similar, they do have slightly different and significant crimping patterns. For my Catalina 22, I have both tools, but only because the wire sizes for this vessel means the cost of these tools, in terms of their expected use, is, for me, within reason. Depending upon your wire size, the life line hand swag tool should be available at either Boat US or west Marine. I got mine from West Marine.
If you obtained Johnson fittings, they probably have a description of the type of tool you will require on the back of the package. For hand swages, there are two types, one for the copper sleeves used on rigging, the other for crimping the stainless tubes on life line hardware. While they appear similar, they do have slightly different and significant crimping patterns. For my Catalina 22, I have both tools, but only because the wire sizes for this vessel means the cost of these tools, in terms of their expected use, is, for me, within reason. Depending upon your wire size, the life line hand swag tool should be available at either Boat US or west Marine. I got mine from West Marine.
Swaging tools available at West Marine
West Marine has Johnson swaging tools as well as others. If they are not in your local store, check the catalog or have them order one for you. You must have the proper type tool, otherwise "all fall down"
West Marine has Johnson swaging tools as well as others. If they are not in your local store, check the catalog or have them order one for you. You must have the proper type tool, otherwise "all fall down"
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