replacing emergency brake cable

[hart]

Okay, idiot move. I disconnected the trailer ball, chains, and lights but forgot the emergency braking cable. Oops. At least I know it worked. So now I need to replace it. Seems simple enough. Cable and parts are around $5 from Lowe's. But their darn swaging tool is $30. I can't see needing it again until it's time to replace the rigging or lifelines or something hopefully a long way off. Anybody know of a cheaper swaging tool anywhere or perhaps a safe alternative for the cable? My first thought was to make do with pliers but the packaging on the ferrules says specifically not to do that.

[Hamin' X]

Quick & dirty that I have used with small cable:

Tye a bowline knot with about 1" tail. Slip a small piece of soft copper tubing, as small a diameter as possible, over the knot. Smash flat with hammer.

~Rich

[Hardcrab]

Lowes also sells the cable clamps shaped like a "U" made just for the application you intend. They are a little bulky, but they work as advertised.
For extra saftey, perhaps double them up like Mac does with their Nicopresses.

[hart]

Thanks guys - that helps a lot.

I saw those U shaped clamps but they were out of the smaller sizes. Maybe I'll try Home Depot or Ace or use Hammin's method for now.

[Chip Hindes]

I know our local West Marine store has a swaging tool for do it yourself rigging. Their catalog says they sell wire rope down to 1/16" diameter which ought to be perfect for your replacement breakaway cable.