Shackles, Thimbles and Wire Rope Clips in Nairobi

Bow or D shackle

What is the difference between a bow shackle and a D shackle?

A D shackle, also written dee, is narrow and takes load in one straight line. It suits a single leg pulling straight, such as a turnbuckle end or a tie-down point.

A bow shackle has a wider, rounded body, so more than one sling leg can sit in it without rubbing. That is why a multi-leg sling goes into a bow shackle.

Two legs in a D shackle pull the body sideways. Side loading reduces the capacity of any shackle. Use a bow shackle, not a bigger D shackle.

Drop-forged or cast, and how to tell

How do I tell a drop-forged wire rope clip from a cast one?

Two kinds of wire rope clip look almost the same. Drop-forged clips to EN 13411-5, formerly DIN 1142, are made for load. Malleable cast clips to DIN 741 are made for fencing, guy wire and general tying.

Check the clip, not the packet. Turn the saddle over. A forged clip has a raised mark with a size and usually a standard. A cast clip is smooth and lighter, and you can see the line where the two halves of the mould met.

Which way round the clip goes

Which way round does a wire rope clip go?

Fitted the wrong way round, a clip is dangerous. The saddle is the forged block with two grooves. The U-bolt is the bent rod over the top.

The saddle goes on the live end, the side that goes to the load. The U-bolt goes on the dead end, the short tail. The U-bolt crushes the wires under it, so it must sit on the end that carries no load. Riggers say: never saddle a dead horse.

• Use at least three clips on 8, 10 and 12 mm rope. Thicker rope needs more.
• Take the number, the spacing and the tightening torque from the clip maker's table. It differs between makers.
• Tighten the nuts again after the first load. The rope settles and the nuts loosen.

Thimbles and ferrules

Do I need a thimble in a wire rope eye?

Yes, on any eye that is loaded again and again. A thimble is the metal liner that holds the eye open. Without one the rope closes on itself, and the inside of that bend is where wire rope starts to fail.

A heavy pattern thimble is thicker for the same rope size. Use it where the eye takes a shackle pin often.

A ferrule is the sleeve pressed onto the rope to close the eye for good. Aluminium ferrules to EN 13411-3 are the usual choice. Steel ferrules suit rope that drags on rough ground. Ferrules need a press. Without one, use clips.

Both must match the rope size. A 10 mm rope takes a 10 mm thimble, a 10 mm ferrule and 10 mm clips. A loose fitting does not hold.

What else we can supply

Do you supply zipline, height safety or rescue hardware?

Yes. We can also quote the items below.

• Zip lines. Trolleys, pulleys, tensioning kit and anchorage parts. We supply wire rope for zip lines, and we build zip lines. This work is quoted against your job, not sold off a list. Send the span, the height drop, the rider weight range, the anchor type and the town.
• Height safety, access and rescue. Harnesses, lanyards, connectors and anchor points. Quoted for a named job only, with whatever paperwork the maker supplies.
• Anything else you can name and size. Ask, and we tell you if we cannot get it.

How long it takes

Ask for the price and the date together, and we reply with both.

• Sizes in the table have the shortest lead times.
• For items not in the table, allow one working day for a price and a date.
• Special sizes, large orders and imported items take longer. We give you a date we can keep.
• If your job has a fixed start date, put it in your first message.

Delivery

In Nairobi, a rider takes small loads and a van takes heavy or long ones. A small box of shackles and a crate of pulley blocks go differently, so they are priced differently.

Upcountry orders go by bus or courier to your town. Tell us the town and the bus stage or courier office, and delivery is included in the quote.

Uganda and Tanzania are quoted per consignment, with transit confirmed before you pay.

How we quote

Send the fitting, the size, the quantity and what it is going on. A shackle that suits a tow point may not suit a two-leg sling.

• We reply with a price and a date in one message. The quote holds for seven days.
• We do not calculate a working load limit for you. We tell you what an item is, and the competent person on your job decides what it lifts.
• We only pass on certificates the maker gives us. If there is no paperwork, we tell you before you pay.