[TowerTalk] How best to cut 1/4 inch ss cable?

[Steve Maki]

For crankup towers? Seems like it should be OK, I'd check with the tower 
manufacturer. I think of crankup tower duty as similar to crane service 
in that the cable is mostly stressed by the wrap around the sheaves. So 
if the bending properties of SS is as good as regular cable, it should 
be fine. But I don't know that it is.

You never see SS cable on cranes, probably because it's more expensive, 
and the crane companies keep their cable lubed religiously for corrosion 
and abrasion protection. Yet they still have to replace it every so 
often due to wear, which would apply to SS cable just the same.

Steve K8LX


On 06/29/20 12:29 PM, Edward via TowerTalk wrote:

> Is it smart to use SS aircraft cable in place of the factory galvanized cable?

>> I'm guessing you are talking about SS "aircraft" cable, right? Bolt cutters don't work on finely stranded cable because. For that you need either cutters meant for the job, or a cutoff wheel on a grinder. Cutters for aircraft cable are generally bypass type shears with both sides curved.
>>
>> If it's 1x7 strand, bolt cutters work, or a cutoff wheel, or cable cutters meant for the job, which are usually bypass type shears with one curved side and one straight.