Assembling Norseman Mechanical Wire Terminals

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Tue May 08, 2007 1:57 pm

I was speaking with a rigger who told me to use 3M 5200 to fill the cavity of Norseman compression fittings on my rigging. I had not heard of doing this before, and wonder what others use?

The Rigging only website has:

Use red thread lock for pre assembly lubricant and a bit more on final screw down. Use a phenosol (not silicone sealant) caulk on final closure in the cavity.

What is a phenosol?

Post by **Tim** » Wed May 09, 2007 6:33 am

You don't want to use 5200, I don't think. It's too permanent.

Silicone can be problematic because of the acetates contained in most silicones, which can potentially affect the stainless steel.

I used polysulfide in my mechanical terminals.

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Wed May 09, 2007 5:08 pm

I used polysulfide in my mechanical terminals.

I'm sorry Tim, I am still having a hard time keeping all these chemicals straight. What is the trade name (or brand) of the polysulfide you use?

Post by **Tim** » Wed May 09, 2007 5:36 pm

3M 101.

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Wed May 09, 2007 8:11 pm

Or BoatLife Lifecaulk.

Ceasar Choppy · Post by **Ceasar Choppy** » Wed May 09, 2007 11:47 pm

Although, I would think that if you are using the RED Loctite, its already pretty permanent.

fusto · Post by **fusto** » Thu May 10, 2007 12:46 am

The sealant is used primarily to prevent water from working its way inside the terminal and over time causing crevice corrosion in the stainless wire or in the terminal itself.
The adhesive properties are secondary.
So you would want to use something tenacious but not permanent.
LifeCaulk or 101 as suggested are good ones.

rshowarth · Post by **rshowarth** » Thu May 10, 2007 6:15 am

I just purchased some spinlock rope clutches. The instrructions advise not to use polysulfides. What other, non-silicone, product would you suggest?

Post by **Tim** » Thu May 10, 2007 6:37 am

rshowarth wrote:I just purchased some spinlock rope clutches. The instrructions advise not to use polysulfides. What other, non-silicone, product would you suggest?

I'd suggest 3M 4200, or the mysterious 3M 4000 UV.

Or whatever Sika product is comparable. Just don't use a "permanent" polyurethane, like 5200, and of course don't use silicone.

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Thu May 10, 2007 9:23 am

The official Spinlock recommendation is silicone. They specifically prohibit polysulfides and sika291. From the hardware manufacturer's perspective, this makes sense.

Ditto the sealant on the terminal fittings. The manufacturer's recommendation is what's best from their perspective.

I feel that, as stewards of our boats as whole complex entities, we must strike a compromise between short term performance and long term serviceability.
I used a load of tef-gel on my terminal fittings. I may need to undo the fitting and replenish the corrosion protection in a few years, but I know that I'll be able to do so easily, so my tendency to procrastinate should be minimal.
For the clutch mounting, I suspect that this is one of those few applications for a smidge of butyl rubber on the bolts, but that's just my uninformed hunch.

Post by **Tim** » Thu May 10, 2007 1:00 pm

Figment wrote:The official Spinlock recommendation is silicone.

I'll be sure to call them up to come remove it when people slather this junk all over their boats on their recommendation! :<)

Butyl rubber would also work well here. It's good stuff--just miserable to work with, is all.

Hirilondë · Post by **Hirilondë** » Thu May 10, 2007 6:38 pm

Figment wrote:They specifically prohibit polysulfides and sika291

Sikaflex 291 is a polyurethane, so then 4200 and 5200 shouldn't be used either?

Has anyone heard what the mysterious 3M 4000 is?