ReDoing steering Cable ??

[MrBee]

Hello all.
I removed the steering pedestal and brought it home. Have made a new Drink/cup holder for it and also wanted to make sure the new Wheel pilot would fit the wheel and all that....
I am replacing the steering cable/cables when I reinstall the Pedestal. The picture with the yellow/amber colored cable is how they were attached before I cut them. 2 separate cables, each one had a washer on it then a cable stop crimped on the end and that was kinda jammed under the spool were you see the end that my finger is pointing to. The other pictures with the new cable show how I intend to install the cable when I put things back together. ONE cable laid lengthwise in the slot in the spool (Seems to me thats what it's there for.) and then the cable would be wound on the spool till they meet in the center. No need to cut the cable and have 2 pieces.

Does this seem correct to you that might have experience with this type of setup? The cables i took off are probably factory except they might have been removed when the motor was replaced in 1991. At that time new controls for the diesel were installed so the PO probably removed the steering shaft and just cut the cables then reinstalled them the way I found them, two different pieces rather than the single. The boat is a 75 Irwin 10/4 .

 

[Hermit Scott]

It seems that without the positive stop the factory installed, there is a possibility of the cable slipping through the slot and misaligning your wheel.
I would do it just like they did it. What benefit is there to having one cable?

 

[MrBee]

Hermit, at first one would think that, but picture it after the cable is snugged down in that slot and the cable is wound tight and filling ALL the slots. As the cable rolls off one side while turning, the other side is taking up the slack so every groove on the spool is always full and has tention on it. Also, the cable makes about a 90o bend were it exits the slot and starts around the spool.
Thanks for the thoughts, that's what I need, opinions to make me think.

Brian

 

[Hermit Scott]

For the last few years I have been designing and building a type of fitness equipment that has coated cables in it, and I built a bunch of different spools to house them.
You are probably right about those cables not slipping, especially having that 90 in them. But I ALWAYS feel better with positive stops on the cables.
You probably already know, but if you do put crimped(swaged) 'buttons' on those cables be sure to strip the coating off first. Even though I was assured by a manufactuerer that 'there is no way they could slip out', they can slip out if you put enough impact force on them.
How is your pedastal looking? Are you repainting or anything?

 

[BobM]

My 2C

Hermit, at first one would think that, but picture it after the cable is snugged down in that slot and the cable is wound tight and filling ALL the slots. As the cable rolls off one side while turning, the other side is taking up the slack so every groove on the spool is always full and has tention on it. Also, the cable makes about a 90o bend were it exits the slot and starts around the spool.
Thanks for the thoughts, that's what I need, opinions to make me think.

Brian

Well, it looks like either way there are two 90's or close to 90's at the end of the cable, but there is little fear of a break there as the windings will really take up the strain. If anything your way seems to put less strain on so it looks like an improvement to me.

 

[MrBee]

Thanks Bob, and yes Hermit I do intend to strip the coating were the Thimble is attached to the eye bolts at the steering quadrant.
I really didn't intend to remove the complete Helm station but the wheel wouldn't come off the shaft so I just cut the steering cables and and brought the hole shebang home. Last summer, our first with the boat, i had made a Cup holder from plywood to figure out what i liked. Now I have one made with Teak. The holder looks better now that I have applied the Teak oil.
The center hole is where the compass will go.

Brian

 

[Ron20324]

I'd think one Nicropress fitting on the cable, inside the spool, would be good insurance.

 

[Hermit Scott]

Thanks Bob, and yes Hermit I do intend to strip the coating were the Thimble is attached to the eye bolts at the steering quadrant.
I really didn't intend to remove the complete Helm station but the wheel wouldn't come off the shaft so I just cut the steering cables and and brought the hole shebang home. Last summer, our first with the boat, i had made a Cup holder from plywood to figure out what i liked. Now I have one made with Teak. The holder looks better now that I have applied the Teak oil.
The center hole is where the compass will go.

Brian

That is sharp! I need to do the same thing. I have already spilled one corona because of no cup holders. I don't know if I could bear to see that tragedy again on my boat.
Did you use as router with a template to do that? or scroll saw?

 

[woodster]

Did you use as router with a template to do that? or scroll saw?

if i had to guess i would say it was done with a hole saw and a router with a round over bit and some spindel sanding but that is just a guess ....it is very nice work either way ....i do like to see the craftsmanship come out in here....that way i dont feel so all alone

regards

woody

 

[MrBee]

Ron, A single nicropress in there somewhere ain't a bad idea, thanks, I'll see if one would fit.
Hermit the way I see it you only have 2 choices....Build / buy a cup holder or start drinking the cheap stuff so I don't feel your pain when you spill a corona....PLEASE build a holder !
Woodster, you are correct. I made the holes large enough to handle large diameter coffee cups and deep enough that a tall thin bottle won't fall out.

Bee

 

[woodster]

if i had to guess i would say it was done with a hole saw and a router with a round over bit and some spindel sanding but that is just a guess ....it is very nice work either way ....i do like to see the craftsmanship come out in here....that way i dont feel so all alone

regards

woody

hummmmmmmmmmm????... after rereading my comment i hope that didnt come off as if to say i was the only craftsman in here ...at any rate that was not the intention i can assure you ...its just good to see fellow craftsmen at work

regards

woody

 

[jibes138]

What are you going to finish the teak with? It looks pretty nice. You might want to add a binocular holder on top on the front side and a slot for your hand held VHF and a mounting bracket for a hand held GPS.

 

[jibes138]

Here's a thought...Make a plug to simulate a large coffe cup that will fill up one of the drink holder holes. On top of that mount a bracket for the GPS. Make another one for the hand helld and a thrid for a set of binoculars. The you can just pop them in depending on what you are using. Since you won't be drinking while under way you will only need a couple slots for coffee, water, or soft drinks. Once docked or moored you can remove the navigation stuff and use the holes for your favorite beverages.

 

[MrBee]

i already applied a coat of Teak oil. We like the look of that so will be trying it first to see how it holds up over the coming season.
2 sides without Holes for cups will be used to add "Other Stuff" . I have the Control head for the Wheel pilot that I need to figure out were to mount it. I,m trying to avoid anything sticking up high so I been trying to come up with a mount that I can swing up to use and down out of the way. the engine controls are just under the right side. (Left as you look at the picture.)
I like the idea of a plug for the over sized cup holders to. most of the time it is just me and the wife or just me so there would be plenty of space for other stuff.
I intend to add a small swing up table in the future. Adding stuff to this pedestal is a little different then adding to one of those Helm guards with the tubes. Don't want to drill any more holes than needed.