How To Crimp A Cable Ferrule Without A Swagging Tool

Commonly found throughout your home to support heavy weights like garage doors, wire cables are known for their durability and strength. By looping a cable onto itself in a process called swagging, it is possible to increase the break strength of the cable even more. To create a cable swag, you must use a fastening device called a cable ferrule with a unique tool known as a swagging tool.

If you do not have a swagging tool available to crimp a cable ferrule in place, it is still possible to use a cable ferrule. Instead of using a specialized swagging tool, you can use a standard pair of pliers, a vise, or a hammer. These methods will crimp the ferrule in place, allowing you to splice cable together in a supportive and robust loop.

Of course, before attempting to increase the break strength of any cable, it is best to test your loop before loading your line up with weight. Do not rely on your cable assembly to hold hefty weights that drastically exceed the cable’s break strength if you use improvised crimping techniques.

Generally speaking, a ferrule is any device that can help to hold multiple pieces or segments together. A cable ferrule is used to help keep pieces of metal cable together. The ferrule itself appears as a metal jacket, similar to a metal cylinder. This fastener can be a single cylinder, used to splice pieces of cable together, or it can be a double ferrule, with cylinders side by side to allow the user to create a loop.

A cable ferrule can come in many sizes to help accommodate the size of individual wires you are binding. Before choosing your metal ferrule, be sure that the wire cable can easily pass through the openings.

Compared to other materials and methods used to bind wire together, a cable ferrule provides a simple, effective, and relatively quick way to secure the cable. Usually, cable is made of individual metal wires that are woven together to create a strong and durable material. A cable can be difficult to work with and often is not flexible.

Using a ferrule is the perfect way to bind cables together safely and securely. A ferrule works to crimp the individual wires together in one secure location. Having multiple wires crimped together and secured will give one point of contact, making the splice, loop, or attachment safe and secure, increasing the strength of the assembly.

When you don’t have the proper swagging tool and do not have the right alternative tool options, it can leave homeowners stuck. Luckily, there are plenty of alternative fasteners that can work as a ferrule does, allowing you to create a loop in cable. One of the best alternative options is called a wire rope clip. This device allows the metal cable to pass through the clip, effectively stacking the cable’s two sides on top of one another.

At the underside of the fastener, there are two screws. These screws will cause the wire rope clip to clamp down even tighter against the cable’s two sides, creating the same loop or swag as a cable ferrule would. This process allows you to have the same effect as a ferrule by only using a standard screwdriver to tighten the screws.

Multiple wire rope clips should be used together, spaced out to provide strength and flexibility. While a wire rope clip can give you the same power and integrity as a cable ferrule, it is often a more complicated and lengthy process. Plus, wire rope clips are more costly than a cable ferrule.

Cable is an incredibly strong material that is used in several residential and industrial applications. The cable is made of several individual metal wires twisted together into a tight strand. Sometimes though, it is necessary to increase the strength of your cable even more. You may have to strengthen your existing cable to support a heavyweight or withstand a great deal of tension on the cable.

One of the best ways to increase your cable’s strength is to create additional loops within the structure, called swagging, allowing the metal cable to loop back on itself. Swagging can allow the cable to greatly exceed the rated break strength, allowing you to add more load to your structure. To safely loop cable, the best method is to use a fastener called a cable ferrule.

To properly increase the strength of your cable, you must install your ferrule correctly. To do this, you will need a metal cable ferrule as well as a metal stop.

Related Questions

What tools do I need to work with cable or wire?

To work with wire cable, you will require a few common tools that many homeowners have. While you may have a swagging tool to crimp a cable ferrule properly, you may require the use of a vise, hammer, or pliers if you do not. Further, to work with the cable itself, you will need a tape measurer and hacksaw. Cable material is thick and strong, so a saw is required to cut through thick cable sections.For thin cable sections, you may be able to use wire cutters to cut the desired length. Remember, once you cut the cable and install the ferrule, it creates a permanent assembly, so be sure to measure twice and cut once.

What comes in a ferrule kit?

To help homeowners work with cable in their homes, many manufacturers will offer a ferrule kit. This kit is a convenient way to get all the parts and tools necessary to complete your job.A ferrule kit will usually include multiple sizes of metal ferrule fasteners to accommodate different cable thicknesses. A ferrule kit will also include the necessary swagging tool to ensure a tight and secure connection. Some deluxe ferrule kits will even include wire rope clips giving homeowners options and choices to crimp and swag their cable correctly.