Doug writes in –
I use a lot of aircraft cable for installing/building artworks, often with pressed ferrules and turnbuckles to make adjustable lengths. Kind of a pain, but it works. At the ArtBots show this weekend I was introduced to Gripples — they’re kind of like zip ties, but for aircraft cable. Some of them are even reversible! They seem to be well known in Europe and Asia, but I’ve never seen them in the US. I think they might be common in theater rigging. They’re a bit expensive, but so convenient! As soon as I get home I’m going to order a bunch to see if they’re really as useful as they appear to be…
8 thoughts on “Gripples – Rope locks…”
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Lowes and Home Depot have had them for years. I think you can also get them from Ace hardware.
These are not used in theatre rigging as much as you might think. The majority of riggers prefer hardware that is rated. Think of the children.
Old habits die hard most theater folks are more accustomed to chain. However Gripples are very much a “rated” product and they are holding up HVAC and lighting units overhead all over the world. Think of the children is an inappropriate statement Swages use nothing but friction devices and they have been used for decades. I do not hesitate to use the appropriate Gripples for overhead work nor do engineers who design to these applications.
I’ve used these building livestock fencing in Australia – and they have been here for years. This is the first time I have seen them for rope.