Attaching messenger line to cable

[CShawn]

I like cable grips, reminds me of those toys when I was kid that you put on all of your fingers and tried to escape.

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by Swillysailor

How do you attach the two lines without making it very bulky?

You tie the second a couple of feet down the line from the end. It isn't there to pull on, but in case the first comes loose you can drop the cable back down and still have a messenger in place. Think of it as a safety line.

[zeehag]

when we were kids there were these things that when you pull against them they tighten--chinese finger torture?? chinese finger cuffs?? friend used with excellent results. pull--get tighter... what could go wrong....

[jkindredpdx]

If the old coax that you are pulling out has a connector, you could buy a coax coupler (cheap) and screw the two cables together to use your old cable as the messenger. If it doesn't you could crimp connectors on just for the pull and clip them off after...

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourcei...16827910397642

You could also whip and tape a messenger ahead of the connector.

[zeehag]

they were chinese finger puzzles all sizes. unfortunately we were horrid kids and used em to torture our sibs ha ha ha ha ha it was soo much fun. many different sizes.
they were cool and tightened as you pull away from em...perfect action fro pulling lines'

[GordMay]

Zeehag & CShawn were referring to open ended cable grips (mesh wire socks) ➥ O Type - Open Ended Cable Grips | cable grips, pulling grips, support grips and swivels | Slingco

[bill352]

I was taught years ago to overlap the lines by 6"-8", as colin said, and take a few turns around both lines, streamlining with the tape as best you can. Then, separate the lines and take a few turns around just one of them. Put them back together and take a few more turns around both. Separate again and wrap the other single line.

By this time you should be at the other end of the overlap, so tape them both again and streamline again, just in case.

Has anyone else ever heard of this?

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Zeehag & CShawn were referring to open ended cable grips (mesh wire socks) ➥ O Type - Open Ended Cable Grips | cable grips, pulling grips, support grips and swivels | Slingco

YES!!!!!
chinese finger puzzles!!!!! only made of sturdier stuff.. good items to keep on boat.

[Steve_C]

Cable grips work very well as mentioned. This is one I use a lot for small stuff.

https://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-125Q...rds=cable+grip

I am in the electrical industry and have been pulling wire and cable for 40 years. If the cable or wire has any type of outer jacket or is multi stranded it is best to remove the jacket or several strands and use the core or center strands to form the connection and keep it as small as possible.

Use electrical tape to cover everything and use it for a taper if needed and ALWAYS tape the last layer starting from the bottom and overlapping towards the direction of pull. This protects the leading edge and hopefully the final wrap would be in the narrowest part of the line ahead of any bulge.

Use a lube if needed and if its tight and you want to attach a second line or messenger, its usually best to tape it to the conductor after the bulge. It is also amazing how well just a straight overlap with tape can hold if its overlapped for a longer distance. For small stuff about a foot or so.

The main thing is to take a little extra time and use common sense to keep it small and clean.

Also if you use the cable grip, keep it away from children of ALL ages. As Zee mentioned, its quite a magnet for trouble. Even my adult helpers were constantly being distracted by the darn thing. One even managed to actually hurt himself playing with it!