Swage fittings?

[Maverick1958]

I am replacing ALL the standing rigging on my Helsen 22. I purchased new stainless (expensive) rigging but my question is about the swage fittings. I have not purchased the $250.00 swaging tool yet and my neighbor is telling me not to. He says the fittings are better and hold better if you silver solder them. I admit the prospect of tossing $250.00 on the table for a one or two time use tool is something I would rather not do, but I have my doubts about the solder thing. Suggestions?

Regards

Maverick

[DwayneSpeer]

Never heard of soldering a fitting but is sounds risky to me. I'd at least do a LOT of research into it before I did it.

[tommays]

NO NO its not that kind of fitting

[CalebD]

Swageless fittings like Norsemen and Stalok don't require a tool but they are not cheap either.

[MC1]

Instead of buying a swagging tool, have a professional rigger do the swagging. It won't be any cheaper, but they have much better equipment, know what they're doing, and you'll have confidence that they'll last a long long time without putting you and your family / friends at risk.

Tell your neighbor to try the soldering on his boat first, then watch the results for a while. We'll look forward to the YouTube video.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by Maverick1958

I am replacing ALL the standing rigging on my Helsen 22. I purchased new stainless (expensive) rigging but my question is about the swage fittings. I have not purchased the $250.00 swaging tool yet and my neighbor is telling me not to. He says the fittings are better and hold better if you silver solder them. I admit the prospect of tossing $250.00 on the table for a one or two time use tool is something I would rather not do, but I have my doubts about the solder thing. Suggestions?

Regards

Maverick

Huh? Solder? What kind of swages are you talking about? These?



or these?



Either way, I've never heard of soldering them. Very bad idea in my opinion.

[flatracker]

If you are going to use swage fittings, have a professional rigger make them up for you. Can probably be done for roughly the same money, and have a much better job of it. But why did you go with the swage type. Swageless are much easier to use, every bit as strong as a swage, and can be re used with just a new thimble. Over the long run seems to be a much better solution.

[knothead]

Originally Posted by flatracker

Swageless are much easier to use, every bit as strong as a swage, and can be re used with just a new thimble. Over the long run seems to be a much better solution.

What kind of mechanical terminals use thimbles? Or are you referring to cable clamps?

[14432]

Originally Posted by knothead

What kind of mechanical terminals use thimbles? Or are you referring to cable clamps?

I think he's talking about the cones inside mechanical terminals that cannot be re-used after the terminal is disassembled.

[Daydreamer22]

Check out Unicorn Stainless. They have advertised here. No I don't work for them. I am upgrading my Oday 22, and since the nearest rigger is 2 hours away, this is most cost effective. The fittings are nice. Simple to assemble. And I feel more confident in them than swaged terminals. I can also repair and reuse with a new cone. The cost of the terminals is around the cost of a swage tool from WM. (less turnbuckles)
Also, silver solder is higher temp, higher tensile than 60/40 tin/lead solder, but I still would NOT use it. The higher temp, close to bronze welding, would bring up the carbon in the wire/fitting and promote corrosion.