Quote:
Originally Posted by artdutra04
228 has used 25 pitch roller chain on our 2007 elevator and Spectra cable on our 2005 elevator.
I'd also like to work on a design that uses timing belts sometime. |
I like spectra for a lot of things because it's so light, flexible, and relatively cheap, but we've discovered that it's pretty annoying for telescoping lifts and such. Spectra has pretty severe creep, which means that it slowly, permanently stretches when it's under load, especially a high load. So any lines that you pretension are inevitably going to get loose as the season progresses. I've since come to appreciate Vectran. It has a lower modulus than spectra, so it will stretch more under load, but it's approximately a heck of a lot more flexible and lighter than steel cable of similar breaking strength, and it has zero creep. Spectra is best purchased from kite shops:
A Wind of Change
Windstar Kites
Vectran lines are available at sailing shops:
Mauri Pro Sailing
EDIT:
Art, you're being taken advantage of if you're paying $1 a foot for spectra if you like it that much. See my links above. Buying in bulk should get you spectra for half that much.