| Most yachtsmen leave rigging to the experts - but | | | | which goes together differently. The most common |
| swageless compression terminals allow you to do the | | | | type by far are Norseman and Sta-Lok terminals. Blue |
| job yourself. | | | | Wave, from Denmark, produces Quick Attach |
| DIY sailors have long been attracted to the concept | | | | terminals, and UK firm Petersen manufactures Hi-Mod |
| of swageless rigging terminals, also known as | | | | terminals. |
| compression terminals. Unlike swaged terminals, which | | | | A couple of tips apply to all these types of terminals. |
| require expensive dedicated machinery, compression | | | | First, make sure you get a clean cut at the end of |
| fittings can be assembled with simple hand tools and | | | | the wire to which you want to fit your terminal. |
| so are worthy additions to any rigging spares kit. | | | | Cable cutters work quickest, but usually yield a |
| They can also be reopened and inspected periodically, | | | | lopsided cut that will make putting the terminal on the |
| and their proponents claim they can be re-used. In | | | | wire much harder. |
| reality, however, once a terminal has been well and | | | | It is best to cut the wire with a hacksaw (be sure to |
| truly loaded, it can be difficult to pull apart. | | | | use a fresh blade) or with a grinding disk so you get |
| Assembling the terminals is fairly easy, however. The | | | | clean, square cut. Next, always be sure you are using |
| first time may seem difficult, but with only a little | | | | the right size terminal and appropriate parts for the |
| practice it becomes routine. At present there are | | | | type and size of wire. |
| three different types of terminals available, each of | | | | |