How do I cut Stainless boat lift cables?
 

I am replaceing the 3/16 stainless steel cables on my boat lift, I have the cables and need to cut them after I install them on the lift. I also need to cut the old ones off.There saying hack saw,bolt cutters, etc will not cut it. Must be some tuff cables.

Any sugestions???

Thanks
Rob:D




http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3...ortest4sk9.png

there is a tool for it.. go to west marine, but this is what they look like

http://www.blueoceantackle.com/cutting_tools.htm

Ernie

sawzal

Grinder with a cut off wheel.

Just wrap the cable with tape where you are going to cut it.

ditto

Yup

What they said. An air powered die grinder with a cut off wheel will probably give you your cleanest cut. I'd suggest a piece of heat shrink (shrunk down) right over the cut, it will keep the strands from unraveling and 'fraying.' A little water cooling would be good, too.

A torch will melt the ends smooth and keep em from unwinding.
Or heres the proper tool for cutting wire rope
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...icial%26sa%3DN

Here are some higher quality cutters
http://www.felcostore.com/wirecablecutters.jsp

All the cuts for my installs was done using bolt cutter, you know the big ones that are designed for "honest" people cause they'll cut through everything.

When I did replacements and didn't want to spend the time to unwind the cables because you had to support the lifter beams then the cables just became a mess, I used a cutoff wheel in a hand grinder. Just went right down the role pipe...snip...snip...snip...ended up with a bunch of short cables.

If you don't have a pair of big bolt cutters, cut off wheel. The wheel is a cleaner cut as well. Wrap the end with tape BEFORE you cut.