Re: [Paddlewise] crimping rudder cable

"Jerry F" <gfoodma_at_earthlink.net> wrote:

> When I used the vise grips the crimp failed and the cable slipped out of 
> the swage ferrule.  How did you actually crimp?  Looking end on at the 
> ferrule there are two holes/tubes for the cable.  What is the correct 
> position of the ferrule with respect to the jaws of the vise grips?  How 
> many crimps did you make?

I just smashed the squat out of the copper ferrule*, once near each end, vise 
grips positioned parallel to the long dimension of the ferrule, incorporating 
two strands of cable when forming a loop, and one strand for a stop.  (The 
one-holer ferrules specifically designed for end-stops are better for that 
purpose -- smash the squat out of those the same way.)
[*  "smash squat out of" = about 1/16 gap on the vise grips when closed on 
the ferrule -- you'll know]

> I bought a pair of crimping pliers for $18 with a rectangular crimping die 
> with male and female parts.  This is intended, I believe, for electrical, 
> not structural, crimps.  So far this crimp is holding, but I do not trust 
> it.

I wouldn't, either.  Vise grips have the leverage to make a secure crimp. 
The tools for electrical connections do not.

> The local West Marine will lend me the proper crimping tool but it is too 
> large to reach into the boat near the rudder cable end.

Hunh?  What sort of termination geometry do you have?  Is your rudder horn 
inside the hull?  Mine is outside, and the nicopress tool jaws would work 
fine there.

--
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR 
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed
here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire
responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author.
Submissions:     PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net
Subscriptions:   PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net
Website:         http://www.paddlewise.net/
***************************************************************************