Proper swage head inspection is essential to maintaining safe, reliable, and repeatable performance across your Permaswage tooling system. At Top Flight Tools, we follow and support the industry-standard inspection criteria outlined in the Permaswage manual.

Key Inspection Points

The following checks should be performed regularly — especially before first use or after prolonged service:

• Die Serial Number Match: Always ensure both die halves have the same serial number — they’re manufactured as a matched set for precise compression.
• Cleanliness: Swage head assemblies and die slots must be free of debris or foreign material. Dirt or grit can lead to uneven swaging and tool damage.
• End Plates: Verify that the upper and lower inboard/outboard end plates match the correct part numbers. Check for secure screw installation and no cracking.
• Die Slot Wear: Slot width must remain within 0.035"–0.040" for standard dies. Replace dies if the slot is permanently compressed by 50% or more.
• Surface Wear: If more than 25% of the internal die surface shows gouging or deformation, the dies should be replaced.
• Crack Detection: Use dye penetrant testing annually or more often under heavy use to check for hidden fractures.

Maintenance Best Practices

• Monthly: Clean dies, check serials, and inspect for wear
• Annually: Perform dye penetrant inspection
• As Needed: Replace worn or out-of-tolerance dies

Why It Matters

Neglecting these steps can lead to improper swaging, damaged tubing, or even tool failure under pressure. By proactively maintaining your heads and dies, you're preserving safety, saving money, and avoiding system rework.

Top Flight Tools offers used tooling that’s been fully inspected to meet all standards — and we can walk you through inspections.

⚠️ Disclaimer Top Flight Tools (TFT) is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Permaswage® or Precision Castparts Corp. (PCC). All product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. Any reference to Permaswage® products, specifications, or part numbers is for informational purposes only. All Permaswage® trademarks and part numbers remain the property of their respective companies. TFT assumes no responsibility for misuse of this information or misrepresentation of affiliation.