Welding steel cable

[SkidSteerSteve]

Ok, before I even start this question....it will NOT be used in any sort of lifting application.

I'm in the process of building a locking cable securing system for jobsite equipment. Any suggestions on welding wire rope to mild steel plate? I didn't know it there is anything special about rope as far as composition a/o weldability that I should know about. I have about 200ft of 5/8 cable that a friend gave me after re-stringing an over head crane. That's all I know about it. It's been in my arsenal of "get the tractor unstuck" gear for a while. I figured I would cut a few lengths off of it to use for this project.

SSS

[Bmxin^Bjorn]

i've welded that stuff with mig before but it depends on how thick your stands are.

[paulrbrown]

Skid, how about crimping a loop with a flat plate with hole in it strung through, that way, you can weld the plate????? Make the plate big, so you can cut off and use in another location if needed. Hope this makes since, I just went outside to the OH and ran into a Busch. Paul

[SkidSteerSteve]

I considered the crimped loop idea. One end will have a loop, but the other end won't have enough room for a loop. I'm going to weld it directly to a plate that will stack onto other ends and then lock the entire system to a common anchor point.

[TomVeatch]

...
Any suggestions on welding wire rope to mild steel plate?
...

Just sort of brainstorming here - how about drilling a hole through the plate that is sized to a fairly tight fit with the rope. Then with the rope flush or a little shy of flush with the rear surface of the plate treat it like plug welding the hole

[calweld]

This isn't exactly welding the cable, but one way I've done it before with great success is cutting a 2" long section of pipe (diameter sized to just fit over the cable) and crimping it down over the cable with a hydraulic hose machine. Then weld the crimped-on pipe to whatever you want it welded on.

[glockdoc]

I've brazed it with LFB which worked ok. The only problem were the fine strands. Using a torch, it was challenging to get it hot enough to braze without burning up some of the individual strands.

[Tex]

This isn't exactly welding the cable, but one way I've done it before with great success is cutting a 2" long section of pipe (diameter sized to just fit over the cable) and crimping it down over the cable with a hydraulic hose machine. Then weld the crimped-on pipe to whatever you want it welded on.

You know, if you ever left California I'm afraid there wouldn't be one clever person left. Great idea!

[JonnyTIG]

Having access to a hose press is a commodity.
Knowing someone who can press that bugger for you is worth it's weight in gold.
Taking it to the local hose builder shop and getting them to press it for free, Priceless.

[ghostrider52]

what about welding a pipe nipple to a piece of plate then filling the nipple with molten lead has work for me. got lead weights from tire shop for free i go by every couple months for a couple of 5 gal pails melt them in the winter time into larger sizes.

[craneops]

Use a steel cable socket. Pull the cable through the socket, unravel the end of the cable some and bend the strands, pull it back through until it's just under flush with socket and pour the lead to it. Cut the ears off and you'll have a nice flat surface. Or keep the ears on and pin to something. Make sure you tape the cable where you want the unraveling to stop.

[Iron man]

Know a blacksmith? have one forge weld a couple inches of the end back to solid stock.Or you can do it yourself with a torch and borax for flux.

[Darmik]

Steel Cable

Hey steve is this what you are talking about that you want to weld?
This cable is used for a steep I have to cut these off and replace them this style is crap

[SkidSteerSteve]

I must say I didn't even think that there were this many options to accomplish what I'm trying to do.

I've haven't quite decided on a finale style of connection just yet. In fact I've redesigned my idea a little based on some of these suggestions. I'll post some pics when I finally figure out what I'm doing I have several ideas I'd like to try but most of the good ones require a mill. I don't have access to one anymore so we'll see what eventually turns up. SSS