Dye for pressing 3/8 cable into pelican hook

[NorthPacific]

I was amazed to find a pelican hook in our sole Marine store in the far north here. Just what I needed. I was even more surprised when I found that they could not attach to wire cable! The explanation was that it is a secret not being shared by the manufactures.

Anyone know the secret? What dye to use?

[Dale Hedtke]

Can you load a picture or model number (we could look up)?
Any chance the pelican hook needs a threaded insert, sleeve, ball on the wire, etc?
3/8" cable sounds big unless it's a commercial application.

[onestepcsy37]

sounds like it's a swage fitting. the wire is inserted into the 'tube' on the pelican hook and then 'squeezed' around it. the 'dye' you mention is really a 'die' which is used to compress the swage fitting around the wire.

i know you can buy tools online to press swage fittings up to about 1/4" because i have one. not TOO expensive, boat wise. but 3/8" sounds pretty big, like maybe cruise ship size....

[NorthPacific]

Er slight technical error. I was using welsh measurements for the Dye!

3/16 wire size. into stainless pelican hook. again I have been around the town. Noone stocks such a device. I will try on line.

cheers
Steve

[roverhi]

A swaging machine is a costly and heavy piece of equipment. Any rigging shop should have one. You may have to go into Vancouver to find such a shop in BC, however. If you really want for your very own, here is one that will do up to 3/16" wire. LOOS Portable Swaging Machine,1/16-3/16 In - Swaging Machines - 12R392|M1 - Grainger Industrial Supply
These machines are designed for the fittings that you slip the wire into which it sounds like you have.

You cannot use the many relatively cheap hand swaggers that you will see advertised. These are for sleeve splices which are totally different than the rotary swaging your fitting probably needs. If the fitting has an eye that you can wrap the wire around, a sleeve swage will work. This is a relatively inexpensive tool for sleeve swages if that will work .http://www.duckworksbbs.com/tools/swage-it/

[NorthPacific]

Thanks peter,

Yip $5000+ back to plan one. I may try the coast guard base Monday, or maybe one of the small shipyards. Like the back woods but frustrating refitting a boat.

[Jim Cate]

You might consider switching to Dyneema lifelines. Equally strong, lighter, less expensive, and easily hand spliced... approved by most racing organizations as well.

We are happy with ours...

Jim

[onestepcsy37]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

You might consider switching to Dyneema lifelines.

jim - how long have you had your dyneema lifelines? what do you think the 'longevity' might be? sounds interesting to me...

[alanrosens]

Originally Posted by NorthPacific

I was amazed to find a pelican hook in our sole Marine store in the far north here. Just what I needed. I was even more surprised when I found that they could not attach to wire cable! The explanation was that it is a secret not being shared by the manufactures.

Anyone know the secret? What dye to use?

This is probably a job for a professional West Marine offers professional rigging. If the hook is for a lifeline let a pro do it, the liability of someone falling overboard because your swage gave way is not to be taken lightly.