StaLok and Norseman blues

[Gordon Dove]

Hello All,

Synopsis: Are my swageless fitting blues down to weird Wire?

I'm trying to replace a couple of stays whilst cruising in Brazil. As is probably not uncommon, I'm using a Norseman Stemball at the top and a StaLok stud at the bottom.

The first problem I had was with the Norseman, I did a beautiful cut with a hacksaw, and measured everything exactly with a vernier gauge, but after wrapping the cone, it still looks like a thistle, not the ends in line with wire result I'm supposed to get. I can put the fitting together, but when I take it apart for inspection, the wire jumps loose, it isn't fixed as appears to be the case in the various guides and videos on the web.

On to the StaLok. The first problem I have here is that as I re-lay the wire, the cone gets pushed out the end. Even if I start with the cone half an inch deep, by the time I've got the wires straight, the cone is 3mm off the end of the centre core. I've been experimenting with a test piece and even if I hold it in place with a socket, I can't get near to the correct end position.

I think I'm going to have to find a local rigger to help me with this, but I'd like to understand what is happening here. If my cone gets force out, and normally it isn't, I have to wonder if the wire is too hard, so it isn't gripping, or maybe there isn't as much pre-bend in the strands as usual, so I need to wind it further than would be normal.

I can re-lay the wire without the cone, so I know there no problem with the unlaying of the wire rope.

Anyway, all thoughts and suggestions gratefully received.

For the record, the wire is 8mm 1x19 sourced by the local marina. I don't know at this point, and probably I should, whether it is 316 or 304. I've checked the cone sizes are correct. I also wish I knew about Brion's video when I ordered the parts, but with delivery times in Brazil being in Months ( honestly), that isn't an option right now.

Gordon