You can make cables suitable to use for a wide range of applications by braiding. Like other materials, cables can also be braided and can use for different purposes.
Braided cables are widely used for heavy-duty tasks and high-capacity lifts due to their perfect flexibility and strength. In addition, these wires are easy to handle due to greater flexibility and superior load control because of the broader surface area.
When it comes to braiding the cables, we have different ways to braid a cable.
How can you braid a cable?
We can divide the whole braiding task into significant steps
- Know about strands of cable that you will braid
- Separating the cable’s strands
- Pull the cable strands properly
- Secure the loose ends of cables
Step one
Braiding cables can be a simple or complex task depending upon the number of strands you need to braid. The number of required strands depends on the use of the cable; it varies with the purpose of use. Cables that have more strands are assumed as more robust and thicker in diameter.
Once you have decided the number of required strands and then go for the following process, put your goggles and gloves, separate the strands of the cable that you want to braid. Clamp one end of the cable and ensure that ends are adequately secured to prepare the cable for the braiding.
Attach a clamp on top of all cable strands, then use screwdrivers, tighten screws and clamps. Ensure that all the strands are properly secured and are firm. The strands of the cable will need to connect to one endpoint.
When you braid the cable, you will start from that end, where you see all the cable strands are diverging.
Step two
The next step of braiding the cables is to separate the cable strands, make all strands of thecable split, and make sure you have worn all the safety gadgets like gloves on your hands.
Suppose you have three strands of cables; start with the most left strand. Then, place the left end strand between the other two strands of the cable, place it initially as the left strands become the middle strand.
After the left strands now place the right strand between the two strands and make it; the right strand becomes the middle strand.
Now pull and return the actual middle strand, which you will find on the left side, and place it in the mid of the two wires. But while placing ensures that you are doing it tightly as much as you can. Continue that process until you complete the cables but keep them tight.
If cables have five or seven strands, follow the same process as we have guided you for three cable strands. A number may vary, but the basic principle will remain the exact first place, the leftmost, then rightmost, then next most left and next most fitting, and at the end, you will place the actual middle strand.
Step Three
The third step is about pulling the strands; when you pull the strands, correctly pull them. When you start pulling, start pulling the strand on the left and pull it over the outside strand on the left side.
Next, pull the strand on the right and pull it over the strand on the outermost right side strand. You may find this process a complex one, which becomes complex as the number of wires increases.
But keep in mind the basic rule, first, try the three strands and then go for the next level braiding. Starting with five or seven strands can be a complex job for you to complete for the first time.
Keep in mind that start with the cables with a smaller diameter; once you learn on small diameter wires, go for the thicker cables. It is a fundamental concept that before mastering any task, starts with the essential functions and then gradually tries the next level tasks.
Step Four
In the last, you will need to secure the loose ends of the braided cables. When you have completed the braided process to the required length, you now need to secure the loose ends. You can also do that with machines or by hand, if you are working at trim level, you can do that with hands, but for complex jobs, you can take the help of machines.
When you are using the machines, it is not complex because machines are automated, and they work on auto mode, but the DIY process is a tough job and takes a lot of time.
When you work with different metals, the strength of metal cables also changes. It makes it cumbersome when braiding a more robust metal cable. You should try machines if you want perfection in your work.
Final Thoughts
Braiding can make the cables suitable for multiple purposes. When it comes to braiding the wires, it is a simple task if the number of cables is three, but it can become complex with an increasing number of cables. The process of cable braid is not challenging but needs proper care to finish the job. However, you can easily braid the cable by following the above instructions.