nico swagers

I was looking around the web and found a thread on a homebuilt aircraft site that was talking about buying Nico swagers from Lowe's for 25$. Anyone tried these? If they can use them in aircraft construction, they should be safe for us, maybe.

PITA to use...but they work. Try ebay for a 18" or 20" swager...I just bought one for $40 and it works great...just modified my trap lines with it.

Orrrr...get your swages (they vary based on wire diameter) and come on up to greenville for an afternoon....or the next regatta or something (but I know how hard that is for you).
Jake

I'll be in your backyard in less than a month at BWYD(bitch), so bring yours with you. Is yours a table swager, or bolt cutter type? Thanks!

I've got the bolt-cutter type from Lowe's. I've never used it for stays, but have for other stuff like jib halyards and trap lines. Never had a problem with the swages, but I still wouldn't trust it for standing rigging. The swages tend to have more of a "wing" to them (where the ferrule material is extruded between the tool's jaws) than professionaly done swages.

I've got the mondo high dollar bolt cutter type too, if you need them Dave.Maybe there will be a Tupperware party up this way and you can stop by, I know you wouldn't come up here to sail.
Tawd

It's the bolt cutter type - at least with mine, if you use the correct swage for whatever diameter wire rope your working with, you don't get the little ears in the crimp. The swages are sized by the 1/32". Nobody ever uses them, but they have a nickle plated copper sleeve that is designed for stainless wire that helps prolong the life of the cable through corrosion protection.

If you want a little extra insurance for standing rigging, you can always double swage the eye/thimble.

Can you get the swags at Lowes or Home depot? Need to shorten some sidestays.

I've got one right here (bolt cutter type)in Cola if you want it now. You can get the nicopress sleeves at West Marine or I'm sure Rick sells them HERE. Lowe's has them too, but you really should get marine grade from a boat shop. I have a few 1/8 and 3/32 sizes in my tool box.

www.mcmaster.com

search for "swage sleeve". They have all the specific Nico brand stuff. Be sure to select the sleeve for the correct wire type (Stainless Steel).

I have a few, but need some more swages. I have always double swaged my stays--I use to make them at West Marine with there table swager. Our local West is beginning to suck, never have anything in stock. Jack, when you going to be around the club?

Tawd, Tupperware was just a fad, Im into racing again. Why do you all pick on me? Dont you know I just had a baby and a shotgun marriage last year...geeze, give a man a break for trying to make a woman happy! She let me keep my boat for God's sake!

I picked up a bolt-cutter type swager from Harbor freight for something like $12 a few years ago. I now use spectra for my trap lines and all my standing rigging is marine terminal fork/eye put on with hydraulic swaging. The only bit I occasionally need the hand swage for is my trapeze keyball (Bethwaite system)...I like to make up my own...sometimes in a hurry if I've lost one for some reason.

Your good at that "Woe is me " thing aren't ya?

I have agreed to help the lad out Tawd. He is too lame to come to town so I will take my precious "tool" to him. If it weren't for a chance to talk about A-boats, I wouldn't do it.

Maybe I can get an autograph from Robbie Wilkins (E-scow) since none of the Catsailors from here other than me would challenge the Witch of Palatka.

In payment for services rendered and tool rental ,make him let you take the A out.That'll make your decision alot easier and Chris' Marstrom is still for sale.

That's the one I have my eye on. I have to wait another month or two to have the cash in hand.