Heat Fusing Cable Ends?
#27
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I used to do it this way - works like a charm. Of course you can't do it when the cable is already mounted. These days I use solder - it's easy on new cables but I have not had much luck on aged ones. You have to use a soldering iron. A torch overheats the cable and the resulting oxidation (even with flux) prevents the solder from flowing.
#28
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We cut them with a torch at our shop as well and it works great. You basically clamp the cable just behind where you want it cut in vicegrips, pull it taught and heat it with the torch (flame pointed AWAY from the bike/people obviously) and once it starts glowing you keep lightly pulling and twist quickly until it comes apart. It leaves an end that will simply not fray and can be removed easily. It also takes just a few more seconds than cutting it with cable cutters.
#29
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Ditto fietsbob, same here. I pull the cable to final length and cut it to that length with the Park tool, pull it out and flux and solder the end up (away from the bike). Then use a file flat file to round the edge just a bit. They it easily slides back in through the housing and fittings. /K
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Another source for crimps -- I've been using 3/32" o.d. brass tubing I got from ACE. Got 3 foot-long sticks for about $3, and cut off 1/2 inch pieces with a dremel.
#31
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Fabric paint works well and adds a touch of color. I am going to experiment with this "fusing" thing
#32
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#33
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Soldering to modern stainless steel cables tends to be the difficult bit. Electronics solder doesn't have the right flux in it for stainless, I can't vouch for plumbing solder as I've never really used it.