Removing a swaged fitting (stop)

[lfein]

Anyone know the best way to remove a sweged stop (ferrule) from a wire rope standing rigging. Or how to put a new one upline from the old one without removing the old one.

Thanks,
Lenny in Austin lennyf1@austin.rr.com

[paulk]

If it's just a lead nicopress sleeve, you can go at it with a hacksaw or file it down to the wire to get it off. If it's a steel bead, that approach will take a long time, and it will be difficult because of the small target area and hardness of the metal. (You don't want to cut the wire!) Maybe a drill with an abrasive disc or a dremel with a cutoff wheel would work. For a new swage, you'll want to take it to a rigger with a hydraulic swaging tool.
A Nicopress (lever-action) tool probably won't apply enough pressure to keep it from slipping, but that does depend upon what it's for.;

[Hawkeye25]

I usually use a dremel with the little cutoff wheels and cut ALMOST all the way through on BOTH sides - being SURE not to nick the wire - then put a hammer face against one side - just hold it there - and take a second hammer and smack the ferrul a good one. If the ferrul is one of the chromed brass or hard copper ones, it will crack and a pair of pliers will finish the job. Same for steel. If it's soft copper, once you have the two grooves in it, insert a common screwdriver and twist.

Above all, avoid damage to the wire.

Hawk