WEDGE SOCKET.- The attachment used most often to attach dead ends of wire ropes to pad eyes or like fittings on cranes and earthmoving equipment is the wedge socket (fig. 6-53). The socket is applied to the bitter end of the wire rope.

Figure 6-53.- Wedge socket.

NOTE
The wedge socket develops only 70 percent of the breaking strength of the wire rope due to the crushing action of the wedge.

SPELTERED SOCKET.- Speltering is the best way to attach a closed or open socket in the field. "Speltering" means to attach the socket to the wire rope by pouring hot zinc around it, as shown in figure 6-54. Speltering should be done by qualified personnel.

Forged steel speltered sockets are as strong as the wire rope itself. Speltered sockets are required on all cranes used to lift personnel, ammunition, acids, and other dangerous materials.

NOTE
Spelter sockets develop 100 percent of the breaking strength of the wire rope.

WIRE ROPE CLIPS.- Wire rope clips are used to make eyes in wire rope, as shown in figure 6-55. The U-shaped part of the clip with the threaded ends is called the U-bolt; the other part is called the saddle. The saddle is stamped with the diameter of the wire rope that the clip will fit. Always place a clip with the

Figure 6-54.- Speltering a socket.

Figure 6-55.- Wire rope clips.

U-bolt on the bitter (dead) end, not on the standing part of the wire rope. If clips are attached incorrectly, the standing part (live end) of the wire rope will be distorted or have mashed spots. A rule of thumb when attaching a wire rope is to NEVER saddle a dead horse. Two simple formulas for figuring the number of wire rope clips needed are as follows:

3 x wire rope diameter + 1 = Number of clips
6 x wire rope diameter = Spacing between clips
Another type of wire rope clip is the twin-base clip, often referred to as the universal or two clamp (fig. 6-56). Both parts of this clip are shaped to fit the wire rope, so the clip cannot be attached incorrectly.
The twin-base clip allows for a clear 360-degree swing with the wrench when the nuts are being tightened.

THIMBLE.- When an eye is made in a wire rope, a metal fitting, called a thimble, is placed in the eye, as shown in figure 6-55. The thimble protects the eye against wear. Wire rope eyes with thimbles and wire rope clips can hold approximately 80 percent of the wire rope strength.

After the eye made with clips has been strained, the nuts on the clips must be re-tightened. Checks should be made now and then for tightness or the clips will cause damage to the rope.