[Spider0804]

I am using 5/32" wire rope for my stays and I was wondering since I can not find stainless 5/32" clips in the us would it be better to use 4/32" or 6/32" clips in their place for now.

 

[mitiempo]

Those are ok for emergency repair but not for normal rigging. Get your rigging swaged properly.

 

[capta]

If you are going to use those things to hold up your mast, then I would at the very least, use the correct size. Too small and you may damage the wire; too large and they won't be secure.
Of course, as mentioned above, there are better alternatives and since it's something one does not replace very often, it might be wise to consider them, instead of "jury rigging" your rigging.

 

[SHNOOL]

Spider, I'm with these folks above... those things are for temporary fixes only in emergency... again assuming you are talking shrouds/stays... They should be properly swaged, and sized for the boat.

Riggers earn their money for sure... sizing this stuff perfectly is a bear, but since it really only needs done every 5-10 years... best to do it right. The cost of doing it wrong is more than just the price of a mast. While a suppose dismasting is a real possibility no matter what you do, I'd always feel better giving it my best effort to avoid it, and nearly all costs.

 

[christian.hess]

or get some mechanical fittings...and diy(but the right way)

jajaja

 

[Capt Len]

Spider, you say wire rope. 7 by 19? or? If 1 by 7 or 7 by 19 splicing if easy to learn.It's the modern stylish stuff that needs fancy fittings.

 

[Spider0804]

I was going to use it after a swage just to be double sure it did not slip, I dont trust swages 100%, when I took the old ones off the wire had slipped a bit and those were copper.

Also 1x19, that is what the internet said was best for shrouds because of its resistance to stretch and high breaking tolerance.

I should probobly mention this is for a 15 foot dinghy so I am not going to call a rigger for that.

 

[christian.hess]

what do you mean AFTER a swage? there is no way you can backup a swage per sey unless you solder the damn wire to the swage itself or melt molten lead and make one...

since its a dinghy your fine

I think I mentioned that nicopress for small dinghies and light loads is a far better methods than these "clips"

like others have mentioned though they are great for emergencies, clipping lose ends together, making a quick fixed stay etc...

 

[Spider0804]

Like put one of these on

Then one of those clips, figured it would be like a insurance policy.

 

[christian.hess]

yeah they are made from either aluminum or copper/bronze depending on use

I quite like them in fact I have original halyards and stuff on my islander 36 that has them and they are still fine

also notice a lot of dinghies use the more pliable 7x19 wire that is more flexible and will last longer since 1x19 stainless does not like to be bent in hard angles

so if you drop and raise your mast a lot and happen to not be careful you can damage a forestay or something

just a thought

cheers

you can also double up the nicopress fitting too if you want although well done you are fine with one...

good luck

 

[Spider0804]

Ok thanks for the insight, I do not expect hard bends on my stays as I am pretty cautious when raising and lowering.

I made this thread because two of my wires on the dinghy were about half way through slipping out of the sleeve so I was worried if they were enough.

Also I already ordered the wire :X

Is there a way of pressing those things without the specific pressing tool?

 

[mitiempo]

There is a hard bend of the wire around the thimble.

Using 2 Nicropress sleeves is all the insurance needed.

The specific too is needed. You can buy it from Duckworks. Here is the link. The sleeves to use are zinc coated copper. They have the thimbles as well.
SWAGE-IT - Swaging Tools and Sleeves

 

[Spider0804]

These be what I bought.

The reason I am replacing the stays is because the current wire is 1x7 and has kinks in it where the previous owner pinched it, also I am upgrading from 1/8" because I was worried the 1x7 1/8" might break after enough time if I use a trapeze.

Also they are 5/32", do you think the smaller 1/8" tool would work or do I have to get the bigger one.

If not I would end up buying one of these.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Swage-Tool-/291128615366?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43c89e21c6

 

[mitiempo]

The wire, thimble, and sleeves are good. They don't say much about the swaging tool but if it is of reasonable quality it should work.

 

[Spider0804]

The 1/8" One you posted, Or the one I posted?

 

[mitiempo]

The 1/8" One you posted, Or the one I posted?

The link you posted. The swage tool in the link I posted only does up to 1/8 wire - which would be fine for your boat I would think.

 

[christian.hess]

you look good to go to me!

 

[Spider0804]

Yea I was going to buy 1/8 to replace the 1/8 on there but some listed the working load as 400 lb or so, I was worried that with my weight on the mast too from a trapeze, that a line might become over stressed. Figured they put the right line on there for the sails, but not the sails plus me.

 

[mitiempo]

1 x 19 type 304 stainless wire has a breaking strength of about 1780 lbs.

 

[Spider0804]

What is the point of working load limit rating then?

Load Limit Definitions
The Working Load Limit is the maximum load which should ever be applied to the product, even when the product is new and when the load is uniformly applied - straight line pull only. Avoid side loading. All catalog ratings are based upon usual environmental conditions and consideration must be given to unusual conditions such as extreme high or low temperatures, chemical solutions or vapors, prolonged immersion in salt water, etc. Never exceed the Working Load Limit.

That is what I am going off of and 1/8" was 400 lbs.

I figured the force of the wind on the sails and my 200 lbs hanging off the side would be greater than 400 lbs of force.