Shade accessories
Wire rope eye with thimble and pressed ferrule
A rope eye with a thimble inside and a pressed sleeve: strong, quick and economical.
This is the classic way to finish a wire rope. The rope is looped around a thimble, a grooved steel insert that protects the rope from sharp bends and wear, and the tail is locked with a ferrule pressed tight in a hydraulic press. The result is a firm eye that takes a shackle, a turnbuckle hook or a pin. On shades it is common for tie-back cables, perimeter cables on galvanized rope and site repairs. The ferrule and thimble must match the rope size, and the ferrule must be pressed with the correct die.
Also called thimble eye, ferrule-secured eye, pressed eye, aluminium ferrule, wire rope sleeve
Where it is used
- Tie-back and guy cables to ground anchors
- Perimeter cables on galvanized wire rope
- Connecting cables to shackles and turnbuckles
- Site repairs and replacement cables
Materials and sizes
Thimbles commonly in galvanized or stainless steel. Aluminium ferrules are used on galvanized rope; copper or stainless ferrules are the usual match for stainless rope. Sizes follow the rope diameter; made to length on request.
Questions about this part
Can I use an aluminium ferrule on stainless rope?
It is not recommended. Aluminium in contact with stainless can corrode over time. Use copper or stainless ferrules on stainless rope, and aluminium on galvanized rope.
Why use a thimble at all?
Without a thimble the rope bends sharply around the shackle or pin, and the wires wear and break sooner. The thimble keeps a smooth curve and protects the eye.
Pressed ferrule or wire rope clips?
A pressed ferrule gives a neat, permanent eye made in the factory. Clips can be fitted on site but must be the right number, the right way round and re-tightened. For finished shade work, a pressed eye is the cleaner option.