To secure a metal wire or cable, you may need to use a swaging tool. Swaging tools are handheld tools that are designed to create a loop on the end of a metal wire. In many applications — particularly aerospace manufacturing — metal wires require a loop on the end. A looped end will allow you to connect them to the necessary parts. How do you use a swaging tool exactly?
An Introduction to Swaging Tools
There are different types of swaging tools, but most of them feature a similar design consisting of a handle with one or more holes at the end. You can grip and squeeze the handle to compress the metal wire with which they are used. As you squeeze the handle, the hole or holes will become smaller.
Swaging tools are essentially crimping tools. Like many other crimping tools, they are used in conjunction with a sleeve. Sleeves are hollow tubes. Swaging tools will collapse the sleeves, as well as the metal wire within them, to create a loop.
Insert Metal Wire and Sleeve
To use a swaging tool, insert the metal wire and sleeve into the hole. Some swaging tools have multiple holes. Each hole is designed for a specific size. Therefore, you’ll need to choose a hole in the appropriate size for the metal wire.
Common hole sizes for swaging tools include the following:
- 1/16
- 3/3
- 21/8
Start by placing the sleeve into the correct hole. Next, run the end of the metal wire through the sleeve and then loop it back around. You should essentially create a loop on the end of the metal wire, with the sleeve holding the metal wire together.
Squeeze the Handle
After inserting the metal wire and sleeve into the appropriate hole, you can squeeze the handle. Doing so will compress the sleeve. As long as the metal wire is properly positioned inside of the sleeve, the swaging tool should collapse it so that it creates a permanent loop on the end.
If you have a swaging gauge, you can use it to verify the diameter. Place the crimped sleeve into the swaging gauge. Swaging gauges are designed to measure the diameter of the swage.
Even if you’re unfamiliar with them, you shouldn’t have any trouble using a swaging tool. They are simple handheld tools that are easy to use. You just need to place the sleeve and metal wire into the hole and then squeeze the handle.
