Fix the end of steel wire

[majkball]

Looking for tips on how to finish the end of a 6mm steel wire (of this type) so it doesn't fray too much.

I need to thread it through several narrow holes, so the solution can't increase the diameter too much. I've already tried tape, but it gets shredded after the first hole. I'm considering if it could be soldered, but I assume it would require a soldering iron with substantial power. I've also seen steel wires shaped to a point at the end by some tool probably rotated with a drill. Does anyone know what this tool might be called? Or do you have any other suggestions on how to do this?

 

[twoody]

Hot melt adhesive maybe

 

[thomas33]

Heat shrink tubing?

 

[MrPlow]

Go to a company that deals with mast and rigging, and they can probably fix it!

 

[anaitis]

I have often done brazing. Silver solder usually works well.

 

[Joelbit]

The best you are looking for is some form of end cap. 6mm in diameter is quite a lot, though, as you normally need tools to press these caps as well. Since strength doesn't seem to mean much in the long run, you might use pliers instead to deform it. Check with a car workshop, bike dealer, or electrician if they have something useful at home.

 

[PeterStrandberg]

Solder with gas instead of a soldering iron, if you solder before you cut/clip I believe it will hold together (haven't tested)

 

[blue.b]

Wrap it with wire a couple of centimeters from the end, then melt the end with a gas welder. Additional material is usually not needed.

 

[Janus82]

Make sure to also use a proper wire cutters to achieve a much cleaner cut than with a regular cutting tool. Regular cutters crush the wire, making it fray immediately after the cut.

 

[prototypen]

I have learned that you heat and twist the wire until it melts together.

Protte

 

[anders07]

Bear thread that you wind tightly around and then you can drop a couple of drops of quick glue.

 

[thomasx]

If it holds, then heat shrink tubing is clearly the easiest. Alternatively, dip the end in some epoxy glue and then wrap tape tightly around. Let it cure. Remove the tape.

 

[Lostmoose]

If it works, heat shrink tubing is definitely the easiest. Alternatively, dip the end in some epoxy glue and then wrap tape tightly around it. Let it cure. Remove the tape.

For less mess, one should be able to put heat shrink tubing over the epoxy... Unless the heat negatively affects the epoxy, of course.

Edit: with so many suggestions, it would be a real f*n if the OP didn't succeed

 

[thomasx]

It should probably work too, if you don't overdo it too much, it will probably only speed up the curing process, and that doesn't matter

 

[thomas33]

Are heat shrink tubes with hot melt adhesive on the inside available!
http://www.biltema.se/sv/Bil---MC/B...-och-spannband/Krympslang-med-lim-2000035542/