Finishing leadouts with the clothespin tool

[Matt Brown]

I picked up this tool at the Nats that is supposed to help with finishing the ends of my leadouts. It’s a wooden clothespin with a small tube as a guide and a spool of wrapping wire.
Since I have only ever crimped my leadouts I am not quite sure how to approach this process. Might there be a video out there of someone using this tool? Do I need to pre-form the loop that the eyelet fits into? I’m using stranded .027 leadouts.

Thanks, Matt

[Dave Hull]

Yes, I've seen a video. Let me see if I can find it again.

Divot McSlow

[Steve Helmick]

This one is for lines, but uses the same Lee Machine Products tool and it's the same process.  I like to use heat shrink tubing over the wraps, but some don't. I actually use two sizes of shrink tubing and overlap them to reduce the bending at the end of the wrappings.  Steve

[Dave Hull]

That's the one. Thanks, Steve.

Divot

[Curare]

Interesting tool, had I known it existed I would probably have one, but I just use one of these, made from junk wire and tubing, which I know you ALL have, and a  small spool of wire from the local electronics store

[john e. holliday]

Back when I wrapped lines and lead outs I used tubing in place of the eye let.   It is wrapped around an 1/8 inch rod to a tear drop state.  It not only helps holding the cable but makes it easier to handle.   Also after I get the wraps out to where I bend the cable back over the wraps I go a few more wraps on the cable before going back to the end to be terminated.  Just me but I also go through the opening several times .

[Matt Brown]

Thanks guys the video helped. I guess with the heavier and much stiffer leadouts I’ll need to pre-form for the eyelet as I can’t get the leadouts tight enough together behind the eyelet to begin wrapping.


Matt

[Matt Brown]

How does that clothspin thing lay the wrapping wire side by side in a tight wrap?


Motorman

I have my doubts as well. Hopefully I’ll find out this evening.
Your description of preforming is pretty much what I had in mind.


Matt

[Matt Brown]

I did my leadouts the other evening. I was unable to swing the tool as depicted in the video. Just not enough free length from the wing top to get a good swing spin. I did pre-form the loops for the eyelets and hand wrapped both leadouts. They aren’t too bad for my first ever attempt. They won’t come loose or slip so good enough for me!

Thanks, Matt