Help: Tying two logs together with metal cables

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I have two giant (think upright street light pole, but twice the thickness) logs and I want to tie these in at least two(2) locations with a heavy wire that can be adjusted/ratchet wrenched gradually to allow for small gaps or uniform contact along the surface. It would have to be exposed to weather so likely coated or stainless steel material.

Who/Where/What is this called and is this something carried by Lowes, Home Depot, Amazon etc ?

Link ?
 
I googled the term and looking at images, they appear to be some type of wide mesh fabric straps. That would be killed with ocean water and rain pelting the giant logs. That is on the right track but they must be metal, not fabric.

Link ?
 
It sounds like you need some stainless steel cable and turnbuckles. Attaching the cable to the turnbuckle is relatively easy. I am familiar with splaying the cable at the turnbuckle end and pounding a metal insert to anchor it.
 
I suppose if you get the right kind of UV proof rope and learn some knots, that might be the simplest option. I can't imagine anything metal at a HD stands up to salt water very long. A local dock hardware specialist will probably tell you what's possible atleast.
 
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I suppose if you get the right kind of UV proof rope and learn some knots, that might be the simplest option. I can't imagine anything metal at a HD stands up to salt water very long. A local dock hardware specialist will probably tell you what's possible atleast.


Check. The straps on a ratchet strap would probably hold up OK (old oones get used as rails on mountain tracks here and I've seen trees that were originaally supports for them hanging over the abyss) but the mechanism would probably rust-up.

One of the Wharram production catamarans uses them for deck-hull connection so you must be able to get marine spec. ones, but I bet they aren't cheap.

Use a Spanish Windlass arrangement to give rope adjustability.
 
Am literally trying to tie two giant logs together with metal cable and have the ability to control tension.
 
dont logs taper or get skinnier as they go up.
If you tie them together the logs are not going to be straight but form a bigger angle? Id think you would need to woodwork and flatten the side vertical first.

as far as the tension, yea just cable with shackles and turnbuckles. Its good enough to do other tree support work. But I think you also need to use some intermediate blocks of a hard lumbar or other material to transfer the tension into pressure. Otherwise the cable will just dig into the logs.

example:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-5-16-in-Galvanized-Vinyl-Coated-Wire-Rope-809896/204765292

They have a skinnier amd other gauges and uncoated ones too

if you need something stronger to provide more tension then I think you need a professional advise, cause that's a lot of stored energy and probably a signal to stop and brainstorm if there is a flaw with the plan and if there is a better way
 
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When I picture Giant logs.. I have a 4-5ft diameter tree in the backyard..

what is the diameter and length of the logs.. what are you trying to do.

PS pole here vary from 6" to about 12" measured near the bottom.. there is some taper.
 
Taper won't matter. Curve might make for some instability while tightening and/or after since there will be a tendancy for the logs to rotate against each other, and there will be gaps.

If, for example, this pair of logs is floating while you are doing this and you have to board them to apply the tension via a Spanish Windlass as I suggest above, that involves some danger of trapping and injuring limbs.

Could be made safer (but not completely safe) with some temporary decking, say a pallet, laid across the two logs, from which you can apply the tension.
 
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