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Roughneck Cable

Wire rope

Every size of galvanized and 316 stainless aircraft cable we stock, priced by the full 3,281 ft reel. Prices exclude sales tax and freight, and each one shows its price per foot and how many reels are ready to ship. Your reels ship the same business day your payment reaches us, when it arrives by 12 pm.

3/32"
7×7
1/8"
7×19
3/16"
7×19
1/4"
7×19
Cross-sections of each size, drawn to scale.
Price per 3,281 ft reel by size and material
SizeConstructionMin. breaking loadReel weightGalvanized316 stainless
3/32"7×7
920 lb (4.1 kN)
316: 840 lb (3.7 kN)
about 60 lb$395
$0.12/ft
20 reels in stock
$990
$0.30/ft
20 reels in stock
1/8"7×19
2,000 lb (8.9 kN)
316: 1,760 lb (7.8 kN)
103 lb$495
$0.15/ft
20 reels in stock
$1,590
$0.48/ft
20 reels in stock
3/16"7×19
4,200 lb (18.7 kN)
316: 3,700 lb (16.5 kN)
216 lb$990
$0.30/ft
20 reels in stock
$3,390
$1.03/ft
20 reels in stock
1/4"7×19
7,000 lb (31.1 kN)
316: 6,400 lb (28.5 kN)
370 lb$1,190
$0.36/ft
20 reels in stock
$4,990
$1.52/ft
20 reels in stock

Buying several reels at once, or setting up a regular supply? Ask for a quote with the sizes, quantities and delivery address, and we’ll price the whole order with delivery included.

Choosing the right cable

Most jobs come down to two choices, the material and how flexible the cable needs to be.

Galvanized
316 stainless

Galvanized or 316 stainless

Galvanized cable is carbon steel with a zinc coating. It’s the stronger and more economical of the two, and it lasts well in most outdoor work.

316 stainless costs more, but it resists corrosion far better and keeps a bright finish. Choose it near the sea, around chemicals, or wherever rust stains would spoil the look.

7×7
7×19

7×7 or 7×19

Both are made of seven strands. In 7×7 each strand has seven wires, which gives a stiffer cable that holds a straight line and stands up to abrasion.

In 7×19 each strand has nineteen finer wires, so the cable bends easily around pulleys, drums and corners. Our 3/32" cable is 7×7, and the 1/8", 3/16" and 1/4" sizes are 7×19.

Breaking load and working load

The minimum breaking load is the force at which new cable breaks in a straight pull. To work out a safe working load, divide it by a design factor suited to the job; 5 is common for general use.

Fittings, bends and wear all reduce what a cable can carry, and anything used for lifting or to protect people should be specified by a competent person. General-purpose aircraft cable like ours is not for aircraft control systems.

Wire rope prices | Roughneck Cable