How to Install Swage Sleeves

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Creating a Swaged Cable Assembly

Make an eye by passing the cable through the sleeve and doubling it back.

Before swaging, make sure the “cut end” of the cable sticks out at a length at least 2 cable diameters. This will allow for full contact with the cable when the sleeve expands during swaging.

Place the sleeve into the tool jaws.

Note the proper orientation of the swage tool cavity with the aluminum sleeve.

The sleeve should always be vertically aligned and never horizontal.

With the sleeve in the proper position, make your first swage by squeezing the swage tool handles together until the jaws are completely closed.

For each sleeve size, there is a prescribed number of swage crimps that must be made.

In the case of this ¼” sleeve, it requires 4 swage crimps.

Be sure to leave a small space in between each of the crimps. Your finished assembly should look as shown.

Swages per Sleeve

Different sized sleeves will require a different number of swages.

2 swages are required for sizes 1/16ths" and 3/32nds" sleeves.

3 swages are required for sizes 1/8th" and 5/32nds" sleeves.

4 swages are required for 3/16ths" and ¼ inch sleeves.

5 swages are required for 5/16ths" and 3/8ths" sleeves.

Swaging Sequence

When making multiple swages, it is important to follow the correct sequence for each sized sleeve.

The diagram here can be referenced for the swaging sequences of different sized sleeves

Swage Gauge

To make sure the swage crimps are done properly, use an “after swage gauge” like the Tyler Tool Go-No-Go Gauge.

Using the corresponding gauge cavity, slide the gauge over the sleeve.

If the gauge turns around the swage crimp area freely, you then know it was done properly.

If the gauge does not slip over the swage crimp area, use the tool to swage again to make sure the sleeve was compressed fully.

Termination Efficiency

When swaged properly, the strength of this termination is of 90% of the breaking strength of the cable.

Vinyl Coated Cable

For vinyl coated cable, it is never recommended to swage over the outside of the vinyl coating. Doing so will make a much weaker termination.

What IS recommended is to cut the vinyl back far enough to make sure the sleeve contacts the cable directly.

Lap Splice

Using the same swaging method, a lap splice can be performed to join two pieces of cable.

Be sure to leave a small area in between the sleeves.

Extend the cable end beyond the outer edge of the sleeve by at least 2 cable diameters.

The same number of swage crimps are required per sleeve as are required when making an eye loop.

Zinc Copper Sleeves

E-Rigging also carries zinc copper hour glass sleeves which are recommended for stainless steel cable.

It is important to note that aluminum sleeves are NOT recommended for stainless steel cable because of the possibility of the aluminum corroding when in contact with stainless steel. Over time this may cause the contact between the sleeve and cable to weaken and make an unsafe assembly.

Hand Swage Tools

At E-Rigging, we carry the Tyler Tool brand of hand swagers.

There are 5 sizes. All sizes have drop forged heads, are powder coated, and have durable rubber handles.