Rope Hardware
Aluminium ferrules and wire rope thimbles for rigging, splicing and rope termination.
- Materials
- Aluminium (ferrules), galvanized/stainless steel (thimbles)
- Types
- Swage/press ferrules, wire rope thimbles
- Sizing
- Matched to wire rope or cordage diameter — confirm exact size against your rope
- Put-Up
- Boxed or bagged by quantity
- HS Heading
- 7616 (aluminium hardware) · 7326 (steel hardware)
Ferrules vs Thimbles
These two hardware types serve different roles in a rope or wire rope termination and are typically ordered together for a complete rigging assembly.
Aluminium Swage Ferrule
A sleeve compressed (swaged) around a wire rope loop to form a fixed termination, an alternative to a hand splice. Sized to match the wire rope diameter exactly — the wrong size will not hold the rated load.
Wire Rope Thimble
A shaped metal insert placed inside a wire rope loop before swaging or splicing, to preserve the loop's shape and reduce wear at the bearing point where it contacts a shackle or pin.
Construction Types Available
Swage/Press Ferrules
Compressed around the rope with a swaging tool or press to form a permanent termination.
Standard Thimbles
Sized to standard wire rope diameters for use inside a loop termination.
Where Rope Hardware Is Used
Packaging
Rope hardware is supplied boxed or bagged by quantity, sized to the wire rope or cordage diameter specified on the order. Confirm the exact wire rope diameter and construction before ordering, since ferrule and thimble sizing is not interchangeable across diameters — an undersized or oversized fitting will not hold the rated load.
Common Questions
Do I need a thimble and a ferrule together?
For most wire rope loop terminations, yes — the thimble goes inside the loop to preserve its shape and reduce wear, and the ferrule is swaged around the rope to hold the loop in place. Using a ferrule alone without a thimble is common for lighter-duty use but increases wear at the bearing point over time.
How do I know what size ferrule I need?
Ferrule size must match your wire rope's exact diameter — send us the wire rope diameter and construction and we'll confirm the correct ferrule and thimble size for your assembly.
Get a quote on Rope Hardware
Send your specification, quantity and destination and we will confirm pricing and lead time.
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