King Chain Wire Rope Thimble, Select Size
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King Chain Wire Rope Thimble
A thimble is the grooved metal liner that sits inside an eye in wire rope or cable. It holds the eye open at a safe bend radius and takes the abrasion from whatever the eye connects to.
Without one, the cable bends hard against itself and against the shackle pin. The eye is the highest-stressed part of a cable assembly, and a thimble is the cheapest part of protecting it.
- Five sizes from 1/8 in. to 3/8 in.: 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 in.
- Maintains the eye shape and bend radius
- Takes the abrasion that would otherwise fall on the cable
- Match the thimble to the cable diameter, not to the shackle
- A bare eye wears through at the bend, and that bend radius is far tighter than the cable is designed for
Questions
Do I really need one?
For a permanent eye, yes. A bare eye wears through at the bend and the bend radius is far tighter than the cable is designed for.
What size do I need?
Match it to the cable diameter. A 1/4 in. cable takes a 1/4 in. thimble.
How do I fit it?
Turn the cable back around the thimble, then close the eye with wire rope clips or a swaged sleeve. The second clip goes as close to the thimble as it will fit.
Can I reuse one?
If it is not distorted or worn through the groove, yes. A flattened thimble is finished.