Wire Rope Tool
Hand wire rope cutters (5, 12 and 16mm cutting capacity) and hand swaging tools with a built-in cutter for crimping copper and aluminium swages on 1.5 to 5mm wire rope.
About the Wire Rope Tool
Wire rope cutters cut wire rope and piano wire cleanly so the end does not fray, and hand swaging tools crimp copper and aluminium ferrules to make a loop in the rope. The hand cutters take rope up to 5, 12 or 16mm, and the two swaging tools have a built-in cutter and crimp ferrules on 1.5 to 3.5mm or 1.5 to 5mm rope, sold individually. Hobson publishes no rating for the tools or for a loop made with them, so for lifting, rigging or balustrades use the system the designer specifies. Choose the tool above; the guide below covers which ferrules they suit and crimping a loop.
Also called steel cable cutters, wire rope crimping tools or ferrule crimping tools.
Features
- Hand wire rope cutters, 5, 12 and 16mm
- Swaging tools with built-in cutter
- For hand ferrules
Applications
- Cutting wire rope and piano steel wire
- Swaging or crimping copper or aluminium swages
Wire rope cutter or swaging tool?
Cut wire rope cleanly with a wire rope cutter sized for the rope, so the end does not fray before it goes into a ferrule or terminal. Hobson's hand tools come in two kinds.
- Hand wire rope cutters (steel cable cutters): cutters only, for wire rope up to 5mm, 12mm or 16mm. Pick the one whose capacity covers the largest rope you cut.
- Swaging tools with cutter: a cutting and swaging combination. The cutter is designed for cutting wire rope and piano steel wire, with shear cut blades for a clean, sharp cut and rubber grip handles. The swaging jaws are forged, heat-treated alloy steel, designed for swaging (crimping) copper or aluminium swages with a tight, clean compression. The smaller tool swages on 1.5 to 3.5mm rope and cuts up to 3.5mm; the larger swages on 1.5 to 5mm rope and cuts up to 5mm.
Wire rope tools by capacity
Select a row to open that tool in the selector.
Every wire rope tool we carry, by cutting capacity (largest wire rope diameter it cuts, in mm), smallest to largest. Swaging range is the wire rope diameter range from Hobson's description. Sold individually. Tap a number to show it in the selector above.
| Cuts rope up to | Tool | Cutting capacity | Swages ferrules on | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm | Swaging tool with cutter | Up to 3.5mm | 1.5 to 3.5mm rope | Each |
| 5mm | Swaging tool with cutter | Up to 5mm | 1.5 to 5mm rope | Each |
| 5mm | Hand wire rope cutter | Up to 5mm | Cutter only | Each |
| 12mm | Hand wire rope cutter | Up to 12mm | Cutter only | Each |
| 16mm | Hand wire rope cutter | Up to 16mm | Cutter only | Each |
Which ferrules the swaging tools suit
Hobson designs the swaging jaws for copper and aluminium swages (ferrules), and lists the tools for rope from 1.5 to 3.5mm and 1.5 to 5mm. Our nickel plated copper ferrules come as hand ferrules (1.6 to 6mm rope) and machine ferrules (1.6 to 10mm). The hand and machine ferrule for the same rope are different sizes, so buy the type that suits your tool. Hobson calls one type hand ferrules and the other machine ferrules; the hand ferrule sizes that fall inside these tools' swaging ranges are 1.6 to 3.2mm on the smaller tool and 1.6 to 5mm on the larger.
Hobson does not list these tools for stainless swage terminals. Ask the balustrade or rigging system supplier how its terminals are to be swaged.
How to cut wire rope and crimp a ferrule loop
General practice, not Hobson instructions.
- Mark the cut. Close the cutter fully in one stroke so the shear blades cut every strand cleanly.
- Slide the ferrule onto the rope first.
- Pass the end around a thimble (if you are using one) and back through the ferrule, so both runs of rope sit side by side in it.
- Pull the loop up to the size you want, with the thimble seated in it.
- Place the ferrule in the swaging jaws and squeeze the handles to compress it.
- Check the finished loop: the ferrule should be tight on both runs, with no strands loose or cut.
Loads and safety
Hobson publishes no rating (no breaking load or working load) for these tools, for the hand ferrules, or for a loop made with these tools. For lifting, rigging, balustrades or anything that holds people or loads, use the system, fittings and terminations the designer or system supplier specifies.
Wire rope cutters and crimping tools in Adelaide
Allmat supplies wire rope cutters, swaging tools, ferrules, thimbles and stainless wire rope to fencers, landscapers, builders and trade across Adelaide and South Australia. Add the tool to a quote with the rope and fittings and we will price the lot.
Wire rope cutters and crimping tools
Wire rope cutters, hand swaging tools, ferrules, thimbles and wire rope are available to order from Allmat for fencers, riggers, landscapers, builders, farmers and trade across Adelaide and South Australia. Order through Allmat, we pick and pack it, then click and collect from the Allmat yard or have it delivered to site.
Goes with
Questions
How do you cut wire rope cleanly?
With a wire rope cutter sized for the cable, closed in one clean stroke. Ours cut wire rope up to 5, 12 or 16mm, and the two swaging tools have a built-in cutter for rope up to 3.5 or 5mm.
What size wire rope cutter do I need?
One whose cutting capacity is at least the largest rope you cut: up to 5mm, up to 12mm or up to 16mm.
Can I crimp ferrules with a hand tool?
Yes, with a hand swaging tool. Ours are designed for copper and aluminium swages on 1.5 to 3.5mm or 1.5 to 5mm rope. Choose a ferrule for a rope size inside the tool's range. Hobson sells its nickel plated copper ferrules as hand ferrules and machine ferrules, which are different sizes for the same rope, so check which type suits your tool.
Will these tools swage stainless balustrade terminals?
Hobson does not list them for that: the jaws are designed for copper and aluminium swages. Ask the balustrade system supplier how its stainless terminals are to be swaged.
Can I cut piano wire with these?
Hobson lists the cutter on its swaging tools for cutting wire rope and piano steel wire.
Is a crimped ferrule loop strong enough for lifting?
Do not use it for lifting. Hobson publishes no rating for these tools, the hand ferrules or a loop made with them. Lifting and rigging need rated slings and fittings.
Where can I buy wire rope cutters in Adelaide?
Order through Allmat. Order ahead by phone on 1300 03 03 63 or send your list for a quote, then click and collect from 25 Kapara Road, Gillman, or have them delivered to site.
Wire Rope Tool: sizes and finishes we supply
5 lines by type. Pick one above for its product code and pack sizes.
| Type | Cutting capacity | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Hand wire rope cutter | 5mm, 12mm, 16mm | 3 |
| Swaging tool with cutter | 3.5mm, 5mm | 2 |
Data sheets and documents
The documents for the product you choose are listed with the selector above. Here is every Wire Rope Tool document from Hobson Engineering.
All Wire Rope Tool documents (1)
Guides and articles (1)
Need them in bulk?
Add the sizes you need to your quote, or send us your list and we’ll price the lot and supply it with the rest of your order.
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