Bicycle Cable Drive System For A Prop Build

[jsummit]

Hello All,

I'm working on a prop project that requires a drive system involving bicycle cables or the like. I was wondering if there are cables our there like bicycle brake cables, but in a much smaller diameter. A VERY thin bicycle brake type housed cable. If it exists and anyone knows of it, please send me a link to where I can get it.

Thanks

 

[Scapey]

Look for an old-style camera cable release.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/cable-release

Hello All,

I'm working on a prop project that requires a drive system involving bicycle cables or the like. I was wondering if there are cables our there like bicycle brake cables, but in a much smaller diameter. A VERY thin bicycle brake type housed cable. If it exists and anyone knows of it, please send me a link to where I can get it.

Thanks

 

[jsummit]

Awesome, thanks for the link. I found these from a recommendation on the RPF Facebook page! https://hobbyking.com/en_us/control-rod-abs-sleeve-1pc-bag.html

 

[jsummit]

Love the 3D print work! Sweet printer on the FB page! Yeah I just have my little Monoprice Select Mini right now. Hope to one day move up to the bigger ones in the future!

 

[Cormac]

Hello All,

I'm working on a prop project that requires a drive system involving bicycle cables or the like. I was wondering if there are cables our there like bicycle brake cables, but in a much smaller diameter. A VERY thin bicycle brake type housed cable. If it exists and anyone knows of it, please send me a link to where I can get it.

Thanks

Hey, I was actually looking these up last week. I think they're called "bowden cables".
a lot of the time i find that figuring out the name of a thing is half the battle.

 

[MangyDog]

Hi you want to consider what kind on movement you want... If it's just back and forth a bicycle brake cable will do... If the distance is short you might be able to find a smaller thinner cable or fabricate something your self.

However, if you want rotational control a bike cable won't work. You need something like a speedometer drive cable. But these are larger.

If you try to rotate a bike cable, 1 the insulation tube is not designed for it, it's clearance to the cable is too tight. 2 if you go the wrong direction you'll unravel the cable and jam it inside the tube.

Then mention of bowden made me think...
If your movements are not too fast, smooth controlled with not many rapid jerks, and a relatively short distance. Consider a ptfe tube and some of petg filament as a drive cable.

Petg is great for flexing