Cable End

Steve@Advance · Mar 25, 2020

I've got an old British built OD grinder in the shop.

It has a counter weight that hangs on a 1/8" cable that keeps the slack pulled out of the wheel head lead screw. My guess is the weight probably weighs 150#.

The cable pulled out of the ball that was soldered on the end. I'm replacing the cable and can make a new ball. Probably a sleeve will be easier, doesn't matter, just needs something on the end to hold it.

Any suggestions for attaching the sleeve? Will plumbing solder and flux paste work? Or crimp it in the press? Or both? Brass or steel?

Or should I try to find a factory crimped cable? Any sources that are interested in a one time sale?

I don't want to take any chances of it failing, a real bear to get to!

Thanks!

John Garner · Mar 25, 2020

My suggestion is to contact a wire rope and rigging agency near you, and have them make a replacement cable for you. I've found the wire rope specialists can almost always make what I need faster and usually cheaper that I could do the job myself.

Janicholson · Mar 25, 2020

Double up on a pair of 1/8" cable clamps Scroll down to find them they will do it if there is any room at all. Jim
clamps.

JD Seller · Mar 26, 2020

Just use an aluminum cable sleeve. You can get them that have a single hole or double hole. You just crimp them on the cable. If you have the room I use the double eye one and loop the cable back around the sleeve. I them crimp it ,this way if the sleeve slips it will just tighten the loop and still not come off.

These can easily be crimped with just regular vice grips. Just crimp it with the jaws parallel with the cable. I have used them this way on overhead door cables that weight a lot more than your weight.

MarkB_MI · Mar 26, 2020

The ball is probably swaged on rather than soldered. These types of fittings are commonly used on sailboats and aircraft. Since special equipment is needed to swage the ball, your best bet is to order a custom cable. One source is <a href="https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/cableassy.php">Aircraft Spruce</a>. Or, if you are close to a marina that works on sailboats, they may be able to make you a cable.

showcrop · Mar 26, 2020

2X aluminum cable sleeve. My local hardware carries them. We used them when putting up hi-tensile electric fence.

cwtech · Mar 26, 2020

I have seen steel cables with a bead of weld on the end.

Maybe insert the cable through a sleeve or ball, bead of weld on the end of the cable, then crimp the sleeve or ball?

DoubleO7 · Mar 26, 2020

Go to mcmaster carr

https://www.mcmaster.com/wire-rope-ends

You might want #3869T63

Maybe

But see if your local rigging supply has it and can swage it to your cable.

M Carr also sells wire rope assembies with ball end, made to order.

Russ from MN · Mar 26, 2020

I like to put Flemish eyes on cable, they work well and look professional, I use a piece of pipe for a sleeve. Google will show you how to do it if you're interested.

Blackhole49 · Mar 26, 2020

If you use these, remember, never saddle a dead horse.

Janicholson · Mar 26, 2020

Good rule. Put the loose end back through both clamps with the loose end being in contact with the bolt U, not the iron "saddle" Jim
The rule

Southern Ray · Mar 26, 2020

Cable stops are available at your local hardware store. I use a square nut cut in half for a die and mash the stop in a hydraulic press.

I like the Flemish loop in my cables. With a little patience you can make a nice loop. I use a piece of copper for the crimp.

Cable End

Steve@Advance

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John Garner

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Janicholson

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JD Seller

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MarkB_MI

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showcrop

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cwtech

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DoubleO7

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Russ from MN

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Blackhole49

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Janicholson

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Southern Ray

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