Storing cable?

[JimS]

I recently picked up 150' of 1/2" cable on CL for working in the woods - pulling stumps, logs, etc. Cut it into a long and a short section and put eyes in the end (molly hogan and a cable clamp). Used it with two blocks on some stumps and the 3X pull did the trick - 2x with one block wasn't quite enough.

Anyway, I am thinking about how to store it. Right now it is just coiled up and laying on the floor but it takes up valuable floor space. Thought about hanging it on a wall. Just wondering how others do this...

 

[banjodunn]

G'day keep it oiled and hang it on two pegs so it doesn't teardrop and it should last you a lifetime just remember two things when working with cable,
1 Get all the kinks out before you take any weight
2 Be very wary of the cable snapping and whipping back toward you or any helpers ( they will go sideways as well as forward/backward )
That said have fun with it


Jon

 

[Cami]

That's a lot of cable to be coiling...wouldn't you rather have it on a winch drum?

If the cable stays relatively dry, don't go crazy with the oiling; an over-oiled cable is a nasty mess to handle...an oily cable attracts crud.

When one of these lines parts, there's a lot of energy released. Once a coworker received a nasty gash from a line failing; he could have easily been killed. By the way: Any compensation guys on the forum? Ahem!

Stay out of the bight!

 

[RoyJackson]

Examine it closely for broken strands, rust, etc.
Doesn't take much to dramatically reduce the strength of a cable. Remember, it was on CL for a reason.

When using cable, you don't want any sharp bends. That puts a lot of stress on a small area.

I've never done this with cable, but I have with chains: find some old firehose (try a volunteer firehall) and run the cable through it. If that cable does let go, the firehose is stiff enough to reduce the whipping. Won't stop it, but it might prevent someone from being killed.
Also, the firehose reduces any chaffing which can break strands.

 

[Egon]

Hanging on the wall should be fine.:thumbsup:

 

[CharlieS]

I keep a 1/2 x 100 around and its seldom used. I just toss a rope over a beam in the barn and pull it up out of the way. 1/2 inch is stiff enough having it kink or bend out of shape by hanging doesnt seem to be an issue.

 

[lungdoc]

May go without saying but always use gloves when handling - slight fraying can give nasty cuts. In use can hang a preferably wet towel or blanket on the cable so if parts is less likely to whip back.

 

[Soundguy]

I recently picked up 150' of 1/2" cable on CL for working in the woods - pulling stumps, logs, etc. Cut it into a long and a short section and put eyes in the end (molly hogan and a cable clamp). Used it with two blocks on some stumps and the 3X pull did the trick - 2x with one block wasn't quite enough.

Anyway, I am thinking about how to store it. Right now it is just coiled up and laying on the floor but it takes up valuable floor space. Thought about hanging it on a wall. Just wondering how others do this...

long pieces can be coiled into a drum.. that's what I do. then short pieces stashed inthe middle hole of the rolled pieces.

soundguy

 

[6011Artist]

I would say get an empty 5 gal bucket to coil it up in, twisting as I coiled to get the kinks out and get it to lay in its natural coil so to speak. With cable, there is always hardware, short rigging chains, snatch blocks, etc. Put those in there with the cable. Stores easy, can be transported easy to the next job, not out in the weather if on the back of the pickup if it rains.

 

[Egon]

How tight do you think you can coil 1/2 inch cable?

 

[Soundguy]

How tight do you think you can coil 1/2 inch cable?

5g bucket might be hard.

I use 35 gallon grease kegs or short 35g plastic tubs.. or 'oil' 55g barrels chopped down slightly ( or not )

soundguy

 

[MikeD74T]

I have a 100' 1/2" cable that I coil inside a 14" tire. Once in the tire I can roll it around easily & it just leans against an inside barn wall. I also store a 50' plumbing snake in a smaller tire. Both pull out of their tire without kinking. MikeD74T

 

[Soundguy]

that's an interesting idea...

soundguy

 

[beenthere]

I have two lengths of 50' of 5/8" cable (elevator cable) and just coil them by hand. If 100' length, I'd find a wood or plastic wire drum and fashion a crank handle so I could wind it up and keep it on a wall. But 50' is an easy length to handle and seems plenty for running through snatch blocks and pulleys as you mentioned. Keeping it dry is best, and I have mine coiled up and under an overhang. Eyes on both ends.

edit
The coil in the tire sounds like a clever idea.

 

[pat32rf]

I've used old tire rims to hang things like this in the barn. Works good for winter storage of garden hose as well. Just make big loops (6-8' per) and tie the loops with a bit of cord if you need to transport.
If its galvanized cable I wouldn't oil it until it starts to show rust.....