I do use a go gauge regularly to confirm my tools are properly calibrated. You shouldn’t need to use it on every swage, except for some hand tools like the LocoLoc 1/16” crimping tool. That one relies 100% on the user’s strength whereas most larger tools have a mechanical advantage/leverage built into the tool for consistent crimping. A Go Gauge is an essential part of your tool kit. Some crimpers ship with one. I would never do a Flemish eye or an eye splice with aircraft cable for entertainment. For my preference, I feel there is too much room for user error when making those. Swages and wire rope clamps are much more reliable and easier to use/do. The Flemish eye is more of an emergency solution. When you need something on site and don’t have the proper tools to do the other options or the use is in a non-critical situation. I don’t do them regularly, so I would not trust myself to do an eye splice in wire rope and then suspend something over people’s heads. I would trust myself to make eye eye splice in hemp/manila rope long before I would do so with wire rope.
Do you check your crimps with a go/no-go gauge? Are they worth it? Do you ever use a Flemish eye as a termination?
I do use a go gauge regularly to confirm my tools are properly calibrated. You shouldn’t need to use it on every swage, except for some hand tools like the LocoLoc 1/16” crimping tool. That one relies 100% on the user’s strength whereas most larger tools have a mechanical advantage/leverage built into the tool for consistent crimping. A Go Gauge is an essential part of your tool kit. Some crimpers ship with one.
I would never do a Flemish eye or an eye splice with aircraft cable for entertainment. For my preference, I feel there is too much room for user error when making those. Swages and wire rope clamps are much more reliable and easier to use/do. The Flemish eye is more of an emergency solution. When you need something on site and don’t have the proper tools to do the other options or the use is in a non-critical situation. I don’t do them regularly, so I would not trust myself to do an eye splice in wire rope and then suspend something over people’s heads. I would trust myself to make eye eye splice in hemp/manila rope long before I would do so with wire rope.