Where is a good place to find speedometer cable or the like for tentacles?

Michael Baird

Hello,

I recently purchased the fantastic DVD tutorial on tentacle creation (along with a couple others) and I was wondering if anyone knew of a good source for purchasing speedometer cables or other cables/materials that would function in the same manner. I really appreciate everyone's assistance with this. Thank you.

Michael

Chris Ellerby

If you are looking to save some money and feeling ambitious you can find a local "pick a part" automotive lot.  They let you bring in your own tools and remove parts off old vehicles and charge you on the way out.  I say ambitious as getting to the speedometer cable may take a bit of work, but you could find some other goodies while digging around.

Many automotive supply stores (like pep boys in the US) carry speedometer cables.  There are plenty of online distributers, but with such an inexpensive item I would only suggest getting it online if the distributer offers free shipping or you are ordering a larger quantity.

For regular animatronic control cables (not a structural support like speedometer cable) you can go to McMaster Carr: http://www.mcmaster.com/#wire-rope

A good source for swaged metal cable is the Hosmer Dorrance Corporation: http://hosmer.com/  It's more expensive, but much easier to work with as it does not fray due to the swaging process.

If you are not using really long runs of cables you can easily use bicycle brake cables.

For a super cheap solution you can even use strong braided fishing line (with as little stretch as possible) inside drip irrigation hose. (found at your local hardware store).  This solution allows for pulling only, as the fishing line is not rigid enough to allow for pushing.

Hope that helps!

/Chris

Michael Baird

Thanks, Chris; great advice. I will try the local parts stores. Maybe they will sell the cable without the housing. Here's crossing my fingers. Thanks again.

Brian Tallon

Rock Auto is pretty reasonably priced if you are not shipping something heavy.

Michael Baird

Thanks, Brian. I'll give them a look.

Thomas Comstock

The www.hosmer.com is not currently operational. The website states that it is the "Future home of something quite cool".