Capt. NealŪ wrote:
| I've seen the local rigger use the swaging equipment......I don't know how
| you would get your ends on as secure. I say take your measurements to a
| local
| rigger and let them makeup the shrouds, forestay etc.
Bad advice. Mechanical terminals are proven superior to pressed
swages. They can even be reused if a strand of wire breaks for
some reason (not to rare these days - wire quality is not what
it used to be, believe me.)
Sta-Loks are expensive but worth it. They will last the life of your
boat. They don't suffer the stress failures of pressed swages.
You can always tell a prudent and knowledgeable mariner by
looking at his standing rigging. Sta-Loks or Norsemen mechanical
wire terminals say "professional, Bristol, top-of-the-line."
http://www.sailingservices.com/stalok/stalok_index.htm
Its not bad advice for everyone. The cost of the fittings adds about
$75 per stay. While properly done a mechanical fitting is as good as
a swage, there is no guarantee that everyone can do it on their own.
This is a very handy skill for a committed live aboard, not
necessarily for a daysailor.
BTW, most of my fittings are swaged, a few are Stalok'd. Any that
need to be replaced will probably get mechanical fittings.