Wire ropes have long been firmly anchored in our word usage. “Having nerves of steel” generally describes people who are resilient and don’t allow themselves to be upset. An apt reference, because even if wire ropes do not have an endless lifespan, theirs is Carrying capacity is enormous over a long period of time. They are mostly used in construction and mechanical engineering, but they also offer a whole range of options for private individuals.
In this guide these should Application options to be introduced. We will show you what stainless steel cables can be used for in the house, in the garden and for leisure activities, and give you tips on how best to tension the wire cables.
1. How are wire ropes made?
Wire ropes are twisted or braided strands of metal, mainly made of steel. The processing takes place in several stages on a Verlitz or Stranding machine. Here the wires are “beaten” by first being wound helically around a core wire. The product of this is called strand designated.
The resulting strands are in turn wrapped around a core rod. This double stranding is the standard, although in some cases additional stranding processes can be carried out.
When it comes to material and sheathing, there is finally one A wealth of variation options. On cgahrens.de you can see the options available for a finished wire rope.
2. Where are steel cables used in private use?
People don’t just tension a wire rope for cable cars or bridges. There are also advantages to using wire rope technology in your own garden or house.
Wire ropes can be tensioned, for example on the balcony or terrace modern railing to attach. The simple design can create a great contrast on wood or other materials. However, with children, the density of the ropes must be taken into account security is guaranteed remains.
- There are similar options for Wire ropes as a fence. If the fence is only used for demarcation, the wires do not even need to be fully tensioned; a little slack can be visually attractive.
- In the garden, on the balcony or on the house facade, the wire rope can be used as a climbing plant practical alternative to the trellis serve. It is more easily customizable in shape, giving you more control over the direction of growth of the plants.
One climbing aid For example, by stretching wire ropes vertically, you can move upwards from the ground. Ivy or wild vine can be directed in the desired direction.
- Also curtain and Curtain must be secured using steel cables. The narrow shape of the ropes actually offers advantages: For example, two ropes can be attached close together, which allows two thin curtains, drapes or a mixture of both to run past each other in a visually attractive manner. Ordinary curtain rods require more space.
- Lamp systems or individual lamps can also be hung from wire ropes in a modern look. The cool look is well suited for contrasts in the living area.
- For a Sun sail or one awning A steel cable is doubly suitable because, in addition to being fastened, it can also be incorporated into the hem, which allows you to tighten the cable tension awning or sail more tightly. For example, if you tension a sun sail with a wire rope in the hem, this makes the entire system less flexible but more stable.
- In addition, wire rope is also used in leisure time away from home and garden. About as Railing wire on the boat trip in fitness equipment.
Tip: Wire ropes can be connected to each other using longitudinal rope connections, which also makes it possible to extend them if you don’t want to replace the entire rope.
3. How can I tension wire ropes?
To tension a wire rope, you need a screw fastener, the associated screws, dowels and the appropriate tools. The attachment can be about: Hooks and eyes, rope clamps, fork screws or take similar appropriate precautions. Depending on the type and material to which the rope is to be attached, it is possible to attach the attachment without drilling, but the hold may become worse.
- Measurement. True to the motto “measure twice, cut once” – or in this case, drill – you shouldn’t save on working time in the first step. To be on the safe side, carefully measure the area being worked on and mark the locations for drill holes. Whether on wood, for example on a post in the garden, or on the wall, the attachment should be well planned.
- Drill and attach fasteners. The holes are drilled and provided with dowels. An eyebolt is then inserted to secure it Wire rope holder or rope tensioner to turn in. Some fasteners can even be drilled in directly.
- Threading. Now thread the wire rope into the holder. Some brackets make it necessary to unscrew small grub screws beforehand, which then have to be screwed in again after threading. With pliers and metal seal the rope is attached here. Bring the other end of the rope to the second bracket and repeat the process here.
- Tighten. After all, the actual tensioning is the easiest part. You can usually tension the wire rope by doing this screw thread rotate in the holder on both sides. If the rope is taut, check the hold again and then you can use it, among other things, for the possibilities that we have suggested to you.
Danger! Wire ropes are also not tear-resistant. However, individual wires usually break after heavy loads, not the entire rope. In contrast to chains, where a broken link destroys the load, with a wire rope the load can be distributed among the other wires. However, in areas of safety, a wire rope also needs to be maintained regularly.
Image credits: stock.adobe.com/Andrii Chagovets, stock.adobe.com/dizfoto1973, stock.adobe.com/Carmen Hauser, stock.adobe.com/Jennifer L Morrow, stock.adobe.com/ Schaltwerk (chronologically or according to sorted according to the order of the images used in the buying guide)