Wire Rope Grips & Thimbles

Galvanised steel wire rope grips and thimbles for forming secure, protected loops in cable and wire rope. The two are commonly used together, and this guide explains how to choose and combine them.

Wire rope grips — Also known as bulldog grips or wire rope clamps, these clamp the rope back on itself to form an eye or join two ropes. The size must match the rope diameter, so measure the rope before ordering. When fitting, the grooved saddle sits on the working (loaded) side of the rope and the U-bolt on the short tail — fitting them the wrong way round weakens the termination. The correct number of grips and their spacing depends on rope size and the manufacturer's guidance, so check this for the load involved.

Thimbles — A thimble is a teardrop-shaped liner that sits inside the eye of the loop. It holds the loop's shape and stops the rope chafing against whatever it connects to, which extends rope life on any termination that moves or bears load. Match the thimble to the rope diameter so it seats correctly.

Using them together — For a hard-wearing eye, form the loop around a thimble and secure it with the correct grips. The thimble protects the rope, the grips hold the eye, and the assembly resists wear far better than a bare loop.

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