Sta-lok vs swage

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NYSail

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,136
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
Hello all...

I am getting ready to purchase a Schaefer 2100 roller furling and will install it myself. Spoke with the rep. from Schaefer who helped with all specs etc... Schaefer sells the unit with a Sta-Lok fitting for the new head stay. The rep says these are excellent fittings and just as good as swage fitting the new head stay. Read a bit about them on various sites and testing of these seems equally as strong. I know the key is putting it together properly with a nice clean cut of the wire (3/8 in my case).

Jusr wanted to hear opinions regarding this... Obviously it makes doing the job myself easier as everythig can be done in one afternoon without running to a rigger to have the swage fitting put on once measurements were done.

Thanks!
Greg
 
Roger Long

Roger Long

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Nov 22, 2008
3,562
Endeavour 32 Portland, Maine
I used a Sta-Lok on the headstay replacement in my Harken furler. I could have gone with the swage but it would have been more expensive as the special studs are becoming rare. I probably would have gone with the Sta-Lok even at the same price. They are good fittings.

The only slight drawback with the Harken was that the locking collar which keeps the threaded stud (the lower unit doubles as a turnbuckle) couldn't be used. However, Loktite and a couple of jam nuts are probably more secure anyway.

I'm redoing my rig with swages at the upper ends and Sta-Lok at the lowers ends.
 
B

Barnacle Bill

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Jun 9, 2008
1,792
- -- -Bayfield
Stay loks are fine and strong enough and if you ever have to do maintenance, like replace a bent extrusion, then you can undo the stalok, fix the problem and put it back together again. With a swage fitting you might have to cut the fitting off which obviates the forestay. You will end up replacing the whole forestay. Out to sea you can do your own maintenance with a mechanical terminal. With a swage fitting you cannot.
 
JVB

JVB

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Jan 26, 2006
270
Schock Wavelength 24 Lake Murray, SC
For 2/8" (not 3/8") cables I use a $37 swaging tool from Aircraft Spruce that is just two rectangular bars with half circle grooves cut into the mating sides. One pair of grooves are sized for one size of cable. The bars are pulled together by two bolts using a socket wrench. It is much slower to use that the pliers type of swaging tool, but it is also very compact and affordable.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/to/cableequipment_swaging.html
Maybe another source can provide a similarly designed tool for swaging 3/8" cables.
 
dscribner

dscribner

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Nov 9, 2008
1,338
Pearson-O'Day 290 Portland Maine
They say they are great fittings and every bit as strong as the swaged fitting. The added benefit is to be able to disassemble the fitting for inspection. Some sailors of high repute recommend swage at the top and Sta-Lok at the bottom. There are instructions and videos on line.
 
S

sidney777

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Mar 28, 2011
4
seafarer 26 Lake Mich
I hope I'm not disagreeable, but I have been told to NEVER use this type of swaging tool for a sailboat. I went to the web site you listed and saw the $6300. swage tool-which I'm told is ok, not the $100-$200 dollar swage tools (just not strong enough). The 'professional' Swage machine uses a Huge,Huge amount of pressure.
.....Sailors who have more recent experience and more knowledge than I, can explain.
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,161
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Roger Long said:
I think you were told quite correctly.
Click to expand
Those type of swages require a collar and are typically used for creating a wire loop around a thimble.... not for marine eyes or studs that require a roller style.

Use the sta-loc. It's nice it is included 'cause they ain't cheap.
 
stevec22206

stevec22206

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Feb 27, 2005
187
Hunter 33.5 Missouri
I used one last year when a foil connector inside our Harken furler needed replacing. The directions were clear, consise and the job was pretty easy. Cut the new forestay to length with a hacksaw. I wouldn't hesitate to use it.
 
S

Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
I have never heard that a "hand" swedge is adequate for rigging. Everything I have read indicates that only machine swedging is adequate.

I had spoken to the Johnson Marine rep that "sells" hand swedging tools and they actually do not recommend them for even lifelines.

I may be wrong, but this is accord with what Roger & Sidney are also stating. "Sometimes" your safety is is worth more than saving a "BUCK".

Typically companies like Rigging Only & Seco South can see you standing rigging for less than you can purchase it from retail organizations (including the labor). These places also sell high quality materials that their reputation depends on.
 
JVB

JVB

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Jan 26, 2006
270
Schock Wavelength 24 Lake Murray, SC
What's the difference between slow manual squeezing and fast expensive squeezing. If the resulting shape is the same the strength will be the same. Hand swaging works for airplane cables and meets the requirements of FAA inspectors. Repeating "I have been told" hearsay iinstead of providing reference to scientific testing does not convince me.
 
woodster

woodster

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Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
JVB said:
What's the difference between slow manual squeezing and fast expensive squeezing. If the resulting shape is the same the strength will be the same. Hand swaging works for airplane cables and meets the requirements of FAA inspectors. Repeating hearsay that that's not good enough for sailboats without providing reference to scientific testing does not convince me.
Click to expand
the differance in the two is the manual swageing is only creating a grip of aprox 1/2 inch and the machine swedge is making aprox 3 and 1/2 inches of grip and that is on a 1/4 inch wire rope dimentions may differ depending on the size of the wire rope....hope that helps ....

regards

woody
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
JVB said:
What's the difference between slow manual squeezing and fast expensive squeezing. If the resulting shape is the same the strength will be the same. Hand swaging works for airplane cables and meets the requirements of FAA inspectors. Repeating "I have been told" hearsay iinstead of providing reference to scientific testing does not convince me.
Click to expand
...Because the tools are made for different outside diameters and different fittings with the intended result that they be a certain size after swaging. And as you said, the resulting shape "is not the same". You'll notice the rigging kit is specified to be for emergency use. MAKING the stays to install on the boat initially is different from having to jury-rig something when the rigging gives way at sea.

The "I have been told" person has probably been told by people who actually read the instructions and/or the manufacture's information. I suggest you do the same. THEN "you can tell us".
 
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Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
"Hand crimp terminals when properly applied will withstand pull out strains of 65-70% of 7X7 wire strength. We do not warrant use of these terminals for standing rigging or other high load applications."
 
NYSail

NYSail

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Jan 6, 2006
3,136
Beneteau 423 Mt. Sinai, NY
So, the Sta-Loc is a good and just as strong alternative to the swage.....
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,701
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
NYSail said:
So, the Sta-Loc is a good and just as strong alternative to the swage.....
Click to expand
Yes, there's also Norseman's and Hayn Hi-MOD. I have all three on our boat Hayn, Sta-Loc and Norseman. I prefer the Hayn's then Staloc the Norseman..
 
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