Rigging wire

[Jan Williamson]

I think I may have bought the wrong 1/8" cable for the standing rigging. I bought the 1-19, not the 7-19. I noticed on Frank's site, that he used the 7-19. According to Jamestown distributors, the 7-19 has a core that does not crush when using a thimble, making the cable last longer. I bought 90 ft. :?

[Florin {VACATIONER}]

For the Vac ve've bought 3/16 steel cable. We bought it @ HD and they call it aircraft cable but in small print they warn you "Not for aicraft use!!!"... go figure. I'm not sure what type of core it has but it crimped really well. We bought 100' I think because our rig was modified a bit taller than in the plans. I think we've got about 6' leftover.

Good luck!

[Florin {VACATIONER}]

We've also bought some 1/8" cable which we used for steering cable and made the mast hoops out of too. Here's the hoops princesses in action. They threaded the beads on the wire and I crimped them together. It was really easy. Now we'll have to cut them up and make them larger.

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[Florin {VACATIONER}]

And the other one...

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[Craig]

Jan I used 3/16 lifeline SS cable. Flexable for the tabernacle and doesn't rust. I covered the lower parts with plastic cable cover from US Boat to control chaffeing on the main. It is over kill but what the hell, I've stopped chasing cars....

[Frank Hagan]

I think you'll be OK Jan. The Weekender doesn't have huge loads on the rigging. As long as the wire is flexible enough to use (get around a thimble), you can use it. The single wire in the middle will not crush if you are using "cable clamps" like most of us use for our Weekenders ... if you are having the rigging swaged at West Marine or something it might be an issue.

[Jan Williamson]

I am using cable clamps. I guess I'll just have to keep an eye on them, and replace later if needed. But it is a relief to know I can get away with what I have for now. Thanks Frank I do plan on the plastic cable covers too, but only on the lower part.

I read Capt'n Jake's thread, describing the covers :shock:

[Barry Pyeatt]

Double up on the cable clamps. That way there isn't any possiblity of slippage. I don't think that you will have any challenge with that wire.

I never had the challenges that Capt. Jake had with the shroud covers. I heated mine with a heat gun first and they just slipped over the wire. A hair dryer will work on them OK too. The small diameter is probably the issue here.

Florin,

Aircraft cable has become sort of a generic term for this type of cable when sold by hardware stores. No, it isn't certified for aircraft use, but for most other applications, it is fine.

[Chris Gerkin]

Brian Toss has some great books on rigging. I used a 3/16 aircraft wire rubbed with lanolin and covered in heat shrink tubbing.

[Jan Williamson]

I have the Rigger's Apprentice. Very good book. So Chris, does this heat shrink tubing come in the longer lengths, like by the foot? I have seen the 4 or 5 inch ones for wiring. Where did you get it? I found a source for SS 7-19...1/8" cable, for $.34/ft. http://www.webriggingsupply.com/pages/catalog/wirerope_cable/wirerope-galvanized.html#B

So I may just cut my losses and buy the right one.

[Greg Luckett]

I buy heat shrink in 3 foot pieces from a local electrical supply house and have found this to be a lot more economical than those expensive little pieces sold at Home Depot or Ace, etc.