I need to redo our balustrading. I'm planning on using 3.2mm 7x7 and swaging it myself. To do this I need the swaging tool and wire cutter.

Looking at the Whitworths catalogue, you can either get a swaging tool that does 2 or 3 gauges plus a cutter for $200 or a combined swager / cutter that does 5 gauges for around $250.

Does anyone have experience /opinion of the best (and worst) tool for the job? Is the combined tool a good approach?

Any swaging tips gratefully received.

Cheers

Bristol

When I did my lifelines I hired the big swaging tool from Whitworths for a day/weekend. Was cheap. But not sure whether that is the same tool you're talkin about. Maybe call and ask your local shop.

I have just ordered a set of 2 made up. The supplier will swag the terminus for me

Tips- Check carefully the quality of the s/s wire.

I replaced the safety lines on Trek 3 years ago. Some of the wire came from an Ebay online shop, some from Whitworths and some from the Stainless Steel shop next to Whitworths in Drummoyne.

Now, 3 years later some of the lengths are as good as they were the day we did the job, the others (I think from the cheap online shop) are rusty.

Also get some good bull nosed pliers and good cutters as well. This is so you can cut/trim the loose ends of wire out of the swage when each one is done. I found it was easier to put a big loop of wire around the thimble, pull it tight, then swage it, then cut off the stray end. That method was used after we found it was really hard to do the swage exactly in the right place and stay neat right at the end of the wire unless you have more arms than an octopus

Trek said..


Tips- Check carefully the quality of the s/s wire.

I replaced the safety lines on Trek 3 years ago. Some of the wire came from an Ebay online shop, some from Whitworths and some from the Stainless Steel shop next to Whitworths in Drummoyne.

Now, 3 years later some of the lengths are as good as they were the day we did the job, the others (I think from the cheap online shop) are rusty.

The rusty one may be galvanised and not SS, and the seller didn't realise as it's hard to tell the difference sometimes.

Guys, are we talking life lines or balustrade at home. the approach may vary depending on the application.

Bristolfashion said..
Life lines on a boat Bob.

Thanks as ever for the terrific response. I've had a look at dyneema, but have elected for swaged ss wire with the swaging tool hire from Whitworths.

I was intrigued by the idea of carrying some 4mm dyneema for temporary standing rigging in an emergency. Much easier than ss in that situation. Has anyone tried this?

Cheers

Bristol

In that case disregard anything said by me and hire the hand swaging tool, the wire cutters and complete the job at hand. Bloody easy to do and saves a good amount of beer money to boot.

Lines installed - I hope she's not after me with that thing. Only a couple of hours and looks good.

Thank all

Bristol