[TowerTalk] Crimps vs Clamps on Wire Rope

[David Robbins K1TTT]

The nicopress clamps are smaller, probably less likely to rust, and look
prettier.  If the end has to fit through any small openings they are easier
to thread through.  The only real advantage to cable clamps is they can be
non-destructively removed, though the cable under the u-bolt side is often
crushed and probably should be cut off rather than being reused. 


David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
web: http://www.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://dxc.k1ttt.net
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:towertalk-
> bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Brad Pioveson W9FX
> Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2008 19:41
> To: TowerTalk at contesting.com
> Subject: [TowerTalk] Crimps vs Clamps on Wire Rope
> 
> Hi, TT'ers.  I'm about to replace the winch cable on one of my telescoping
> towers, and it occurs to me that I don't really know if there is an
> advantage, real or perceived, of using crimped wire rope clamps (Nicopress
> is the brand name that comes to mind) vs the more common U-bolt and saddle
> clamp.  In my career, I dealt with large wire ropes - 1-5/8" dia or
> larger,
> and we used  a number of very large U-bolt/saddle clamps on the ropes.
> These ropes were used to hoist 30 ton loads up and down an 800' vertical
> shaft.  This will be a somewhat less demanding application - 3/16" dia.,
> 7x19 galvanized wire rope, carrying a maximum of about 500 pounds of load.
> 
> So...beyond the convenience of installation, i.e., a quick squeeze of a
> Nicopress crimper vs fumbling around with nuts, a U-bolt and a saddle, all
> while trying to remember which way to install the rope clamp ('never
> saddle
> a dead horse...'), is there an advantage?
> 
> 73, Brad, W9FX
> 
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