Specs for tension cable?

[SLJ]

What kind of cable do I need to use for a 14' yurt? I can't seem to find any info on that. Is there a way to calculate the pressures?

Thanks,
Sonia

[Alchamar]

Different manufacturers and cable types all have wildly differing tensile strengths. I'd suggest going with 1/4 inch plastic-coated cable. Even the crappiest Chinese version is still gonna be tough enough for anything you throw at your ger. That, and ferrules are easy to find. Good fortune, fellow yurt-monger! Alchamar

[SLJ]

Thank you!

[inthewoods]

Is this 1/4 inch cable plus coating or 1/4 inch including the coating?
I see when I went to purchase cable it has both dimensions noted on the spool. I found two types today one reads: 3/16" to 1/4" and the other: 3/32 to 3/16. I think these are dimensions with out and with the coating.
thoughts?
tony

[Alchamar]

Hmm... I guess it could go either way- a 1/4" cable core, or a 1/4" total OD (which is what I use). You can over-build to a pretty extreme level and still be ok... but light doesn't suck. People use para-cord, or laundry line, or ordinary rope too. I like the compromise I find in the 1/4" OD plastic-coated cable. Light and flexible enough to be handy, yet tough enough to roll with anything I've thrown at it (climbing on top of the ger, hanging a table or swing from the roof ring, a good cross-section of storms...). In the end, consider what you need the tension band to do. It corrals the top of the khana wall, and keeps the wall ends of the roof poles where they're supposed to be. So whatever you wind up using needs to have a very low stretch factor. Beyond that, it's just a matter of what's on hand, or cheap, or suits your tastes. Good fortune, fellow yurt-monger!

Cheers- Alchamar

[inthewoods]

Love the feedback. I lean towards the lighter but wanted to be sure. If you are swinging from the roofring thats good. I hope to do the same Thanks Alchamar!

[Jafo]

Yeah, I have to admit, the gears in my head are turning over a center-ring-swing..

[Robo]

I used cheapjack plastic coated 3/16ths cable from Home Depot on my 16'er. The actual cable is 3/16ths.

I climbed atop the roof ring and jumped up and down--no give at all. Incredibly solid. I weigh 210 lbs. From what I've read 1/4" cheapjack cable frm Depot will withstand an incredible snow load. We don't get that kinda snow here however.