[TowerTalk] New Cables for a Crank Up and NicoPress Clamps

[Bob Maser]

You will find that the crimp tool is about $150.  Mine is made by HK Porter 
and I bought it about 15 years ago for $130 at that time.  You should not 
use the aluminum Nicopress sleeves.  I always use the BeCu ones.  They are 
much stronger.  BTW, I would replace all of the cables.  If I remember 
correctly there are 3 pull up cables and 1 long pull down cable, all made 
from 3/16 galvanized cable.  If you want to use stainless steel, you will 
need to go to 1/4" because it is not as strong as the galvanized steel. 
Then you may have a problem with interference on the pulleys.  I would also 
not use the manual bolt tighten tool for crimping the sleeves.  Always make 
sure that the end of the cable being crimped sticks out beyond the Nicopress 
sleeve.
BTW, I have recabled 4 LM470's over the last 25 years.
Bob  W6TR
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill Gaines AD8P" <ad8p at wcoil.com>
To: <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 2:06 PM
Subject: [TowerTalk] New Cables for a Crank Up and NicoPress Clamps


>I am having to install a new pull up cable on my LM-470. While considering 
>the replacement from a California company at a cost of $210 plus $90 
>shipping I got to thinking about rolling my own from local parts. Tell me 
>what you think please.
>
> I can obtain 3/16 aircraft cable and thimbles with no problems. What I am 
> having problems finding are the "Nicopress" clamps used to secure the ends 
> around the thimbles. It is the part that gets compressed around both 
> cables and holds it together. On the existing cable the clamp is made 
> either of copper or brass (probably copper). It is approximately 1/2 inch 
> in diameter and maybe an inch long. What I am able to find looks like 
> aluminum and looking at the end looks like a figure 8 with 2 holes for the 
> wires. Are these "good" replacements for the original clamps I am looking 
> for?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bill       AD8P at wcoil dot com
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