Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - How To Measure Diameter Of Steel Cable Or Wire Rope
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OudeVanDagen
03-29-03, 04:47 PM
I need to measure the diameter of some steel cable or wire rope. It is made of 7 strands. 6 on the outside all wrapped around 1 in the center. Using a caliper it measures 9/16 inch it's widest point. Turning the cable slightly, it also measures 7/16 inch at it's narrowest point. Is the diameter of steel cable or wire rope suppossed to be measured at the narrowest point or at the widest point?
joed
03-29-03, 06:11 PM
I don't know for sure but I would split the difference and call it 1/2.
josh1
03-29-03, 09:40 PM
could also use a drill gage to see what it fits through. -Josh
fewalt
03-30-03, 05:47 AM
I'd go along with joed and say your cable is 1/2 inch.
It probably got slightly flattened when it was tightly wound on the mfg. spook.
fred
It probably got slightly flattened when it was tightly wound on the mfg. spook.
fred
OudeVanDagen
03-30-03, 07:53 AM
Thank you for the suggestions.
My first thought was to try to pass an end of the cable in a drill guage - but I can't do that. The cables were made into slings or chokers and they have sealed factory loops at the ends.
Reasons for my asking how to properly measure the diameter is; a) that strength varies from size to size, b) as does cost.
My first thought was to try to pass an end of the cable in a drill guage - but I can't do that. The cables were made into slings or chokers and they have sealed factory loops at the ends.
Reasons for my asking how to properly measure the diameter is; a) that strength varies from size to size, b) as does cost.
joed
03-30-03, 09:28 AM
If you are trying to determine how much they will lift I would err on the side of safety and go with the smaller size.
OudeVanDagen
03-31-03, 06:43 AM
I was just at an industrial supply house and found out that cable is measured at the widest point. Thanks for all the help!
Specter
03-31-03, 07:25 PM
The strength will also depend upon how many & how big the wires are that make up each strand.
ejones
04-03-03, 05:28 PM
Just a point.....When I was in the Navy, wire cables, and ropes for that matter, were measured by their circumference. i.e. a 1" cable was one inch circumference, NOT diameter.
Just thought I'd throw that in.
Just thought I'd throw that in.
bungalow jeff
04-03-03, 08:37 PM
Specter makes an important point. The strand diameter is only one piece of the capacity information. You also need to know the wire diameters/arrangement (is the center wire the same diameter as the outer wires?), and the steel grade.