elevator cable for forging?

[Teachingclay]

I got ahold of a bunch ,75 feet or so, of elevator cable tonight. Most of it is cut into short lengths to be trimmed to the desired piece later. Turns out its not solid, according to my friend the elevator repairman, none of it is. It has a jute rope core, which would leave a 1/4 hollow in the center. Is this forgable? anyone have experience with Elevator cable. Please let me know.
thanks.

[Thomas Dean]

I have seen this type of cable forged into knives although I have never done it myself. You can either pull the rope out or you can burn it out. IIRC, the person pulled the rope out before putting the piece in the fire.
May I direct you to the green bar at the top of the page, click on the "User CP" and edit your profile stating you location. You will be pleasantly surprised at how this can help you in the future. Shoot, you may have one of these here members as a neighbor and he could be, this very minute, putting a piece of this type of cable in his forge to make a whatever. Anyway....it could happen. ;)

[triw]

If you can get the rope out you could replace it with 1/4" rod and have some nice stock to forge. If you left the 1/4" rod long you could use this as a handle to hold while you worked the cabble.

[Teachingclay]

that is an interesting idea. the rope is easliy burnt out, it burns very quickly. what type of steel rod would you rec?
I just added my local. Kannapolis, NC. Is there anybody out here?

[Thomas Dean]

triw, That's a great idea, using a rod to fill the void and as a handle. Man, these blacksmiths are sure smart!
Teachingclay, not sure exactly where you are in NC but there's a bunch here on IFI from your state!

[triw]

Wish you were in Arizona I would love to have you7 come over and we could try a few things.

[Pault17]

Hey Teachingclay,
there are actually a couple of us up in the raliegh/durham area. a couple hours north and east of you.
paul

[Teachingclay]

yeah, thats not too far away. maybe we could hook up sometime. and Tri, drop me a PM, maybe a could shoot a hunk your way.

[Frosty]

You could also replace the rope with a section of 1/4" left lay cable for a bit more pattern. It may be a PITA finding left lay cable in 1/4" though.

Welcome aboard, lots of soot covered ferrets in your neck O' the woods.

Frosty

[Teachingclay]

soot covered ferrets eh?

[Max Mulholland - Tetnum]

is it galvnised?

[Frosty]

Ferrous = Ferrets = blacksmiths.

I threw in the soot covered part because it popped into my oft odd mind and I have little self control where word play is at hand.

Frosty

[Teachingclay]

Ahhh I see,
and no Tetnum it is not Galvonized.

[triw]

Teachingclay look under new posts for cable knife I posted a question about your cable. William

[Teachingclay]

I saw that, thanks.