Thread: Home Lat Pulldown machine issues

Originally Posted by jhemsone

Hello, I made a Lat Pulldown machine at home. I used 3/16" vinyl coated metal cable and after a while the coating cracked and the cable was all kinked. Does anyone know why this would happen? Should I use 1/4" or 5/16" or do I need to lube the vinyl so the hot temps don't dry it out? I see a lot of people using the 3/16" just fine. Thanks for any help.

Don’t know for sure. But I think people with the spud cable pulley have had the same issue. How large are your pulleys, smaller ones make a tighter turn and probably more stress on the cable.