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Subject:    Replacing lifelines & hardware   

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Barbara writes:
I have a 25ft. C&C and I am planning to replace the life lines this season. Since this is the first time I have done this, any advice would be greatly appreciated. What type of line, hardware (can I reuse the hardware that is currently on the life line and is in good shape), tools will I need to perform this task. Thank you. Barbara

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Replacing lifelines yourself should not be a problem.

I replaced the lifelines on my boat last summer. <> I used Johnson lifeline fittings, Westmarine (and other boating supply stores) carried everything I needed including the

    JOHNSON hand crimping tool

which should NOT BE CONFUSED with other similar looking swaging tools !!!!

btw: I would NOT attempt to use the johnson tool on "other" brand fittings...

you can do it yourself !

Subject:    Re: Replacing lifelines & hardware Date:

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Jeff wrote:
Perhaps someone out there could enlighten us (me) on what the difference is between a "special" tool for doing lineline work and a standard swaging tool. thankyou, Jeff

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  In a nutshell the swage tools are designed to crush copper or aluminum sleeves over wire and the lifeline tool is designed to crush stainless steel . . . more:

I have both   #2 and #3 swage tools shown just below the cutters at the link

Swage tools / nicropress tools are designed to crush Copper or Aluminum sleeves.

The smallest size on the #3 is also the largest size on the #2 ( 1/8"

I find I do use 1/8 wire but rarely anything smaller.

The only thing I can remember making with one of the smaller sizes with the #2 was when making a permanent safety wire for my dingies drain plug so it would not ever get lost. . .
I needed to borrow a drain plug yesterday but could NOT borrow my dingies drain plug cause of that damn wire ;-)

I use the # 3 tool much more often, not only does it put eyes in wire but it does a fine job of installing terminals on battery cable: installing terminals on battery cable

The Johnson lifeline tool is designed to crush the Johnson Stainless Steel lifeline fittings;

Links:

Stainless lifeline fittings

and

instructions on hand crimping