Question about Wire Rope sizes

D

Darren Ellis

Joined
Sep 14, 2002
Messages
992
Hi All,

I'm looking for some feedback from those of you who do a lot of Cable Damascus.... I'm looking to add some things to my inventory of supplies I carry and since there aren't a lot of online places to buy cable in small quantities I think this is something I might pick up. My question is what diameters would be of most interest to people...I can get it in Extra Improved Plow Steel grade in sizes ranging from 1/2" up to about 1 1/2". I've always used 1", but am interested in hearing what others would be interested in seeing offered. Also, I'm thinking 1 foot increments in length, as this is what I've always worked with, but again, would definitely be interested in others opinions. Thanks! :)

-Darren
 
Darren...I would go 3/4 and up. I have found that the 3/8" size doesnt like to harden well.

I use 3/4 and 1.25".....Ron Claiborne and I stack 4 pieces of 1.25 into a bundle and forged out a billet with the press.
 
Thanks Greg, that sounds like what I was thinking, but definitely want to hear what others think too. What about lengths, do you think 1 foot offerings would be well received?

I know this stuff can be found as scrap if you have the right connections, but not everyone does in different places around the country, so I'm thinking this might be something useful for some people. Also, having known steel, I could provide a heat treat schedule for it. The place I'd get it from doesn't have one as this isn't its normal application, but I could forge out a billet and heat treat it to find the as quenched hardness and then break it up into smaller pieces and temper each piece at a different temperature to make a plot of tempering temp vs hardness...I've got a Rockwell tested here in the shop now (Thanks Roger!). Greg, what was the length of the four pieces you and Ron stacked and forged out?

Now that I think about it more, if I offered it in 11" lengths, I could probably ship 3 or 4 pieces at a time in those USPS flat rate envelopes for $3.85 with a little padding inside to protect the envelope!

What are everyone else's opinions? :)

-Darren
 
Darren Ellis said:
Now that I think about it more, if I offered it in 11" lengths, I could probably ship 3 or 4 pieces at a time in those USPS flat rate envelopes for $3.85 with a little padding inside to protect the envelope!

What are everyone else's opinions? :)

-Darren
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You'd have at least one customer. :cool:
 
I think it sounds like a good idea, you might concider 3' lengths too though since I hear about some cable swords being made, mostly katanas.
 
Darren Ellis said:
Greg, what was the length of the four pieces you and Ron stacked and forged out?


-Darren
Click to expand...

Between 8-10 inches.

A foot is a bit long for how I move it...it might be fine for others though.
 
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