Shortening Cable Chains.

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

I have some cable chains for my truck that I need to shorten about 6 inches.

Does anyone have any tips for this? I need to find a source for clamp-on ferules or whatever the little round things are that clamp on to the cable and then hook into the connector doohickey.

These are the chains I want to shorten you can see the little round things I'm referring to on the top left of the picture below:

The have a tensioner like this:

Tips suggestions?

Other than squishing the crap out of them - should I give them a little "kiss" with the mig welder?

 

[Cowboy]

PB , Can you cut it & mark it & take it to a local hardware store if you have one . They have crimpers there & ussually will do it for you for little or nothing . Ace hardware should have what you need .

If not I use a brake line flaring tool to Crimp in the vise or you can use an anvil & smack the shit out of it . I use it for cables much bigger then that . Just a thought . Heres a link to the type of crimper , I just use the 2 piece part with the holes in it . The hardware store should have the sleeve that crimps on .


http://www.harborfreight.com/double-tube-flaring-tool-kit-66534.html

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

I've got the tools to crimp but I have two questions:

1. Where do you get the little things and what is there "proper" name?

2. Is crimping all you need to do?

 

[Cowboy]

I've got the tools to crimp but I have two questions:

1. Where do you get the little things and what is there "proper" name?

2. Is crimping all you need to do?

I never used those kind of tire cables before so I,m not sure if they would take more stress then a big cable for pulling or tightning like what I do . But I would think a good crimp would be all you need .

My local lil town hardware store had the crimps the last time I went there so I would assume ace hardware would if its anything like it used to be . I beleive they are called cable crimp fastners or at least thats what they were marked on the drawer I found them in .

I cant even find a pic online of what I,m talking about . Only thing I know to do is go look through there stock . Unless someone else here knows .

I,ve heated & crimped nuts on before & had them work forever , just not for that kind of aplication . I broke the cables before but never had a crimp come loose . Best of luck , Wished I could be more help

 

[Cowboy]

I dont know if these would work or not PB , hard to tell what size your cable is http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-20920/Detail

Edit , This is more like what I use , bottom pic
http://www.clamp-products.co.nz/ferrules.shtml

 

[Cowboy]

New link for Ya PB . Surely something here would work for ya .

http://www.gbgindustries.com/StandardHardware.htm

 

[tommu56]

Ive been using them for years my newest set has spreaders to tighten them. they are the super Z's
The new ones have a double hook you don't even have to drive on them.

but for the stoppers

http://webriggingsupply.com/assets/catalog/hardware/120-buttonstops.jpg

crimper

http://webriggingsupply.com/pages/catalog/tools/swagers.html


it would be cheaper to by new chains than by a crimper

tom

 

[XeVfTEUtaAqJHTqq]

Ive been using them for years my newest set has spreaders to tighten them. they are the super Z's
The new ones have a double hook you don't even have to drive on them.

but for the stoppers

http://webriggingsupply.com/assets/catalog/hardware/120-buttonstops.jpg

crimper

http://webriggingsupply.com/pages/catalog/tools/swagers.html


it would be cheaper to by new chains than by a crimper

tom

Thanks Cowboy and Tommu - I'll check if my hardware store has ferrules but I doubt it. Otherwise, I think the link Tommu sent is what I need.

I've got a x-large chain repair plier for my tractor chains and some other big ass tools that I can crimp the crap out of stuff with.

 

[luv2weld]

Instead of spending $300 for the crimpers, go to Harbor Freight and get a set of
bolt cutters for cheap. Then either use a grinder or Dremel tool to make them into
crimpers. Works really well, and doesn't take a body builder to crimp ferrules or stops.

Ralph

 

[muleman]

Instead of spending $300 for the crimpers, go to Harbor Freight and get a set of
bolt cutters for cheap. Then either use a grinder or Dremel tool to make them into
crimpers. Works really well, and doesn't take a body builder to crimp ferrules or stops.

Ralph

That is what I use for high tensile fence ferrules.