What is a turnbuckle?

Turnbuckles have been around for a long time, and you might be surprised how often you see them once you know what to look for. They’re used to stretch material – usually cable, wire, chain or rod – tight between two points. Sure, they get a lot of use in places like shipping yards, construction sites and even boxing rings, but you can also find them on your own street!

TurnbuckleFor example: some cars have turnbuckles in the throttle body assembly, and motorcycles use turnbuckles to adjust the position of the shift lever.

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Turnbuckles can also create tension in fences or other wire structures like this display barrier.

The Marriam-Webster Dictionary defines “turnbuckle” as “a device that usually consists of a link with screw threads at both ends, that is turned to bring the ends closer together, and that is used for tightening a rod or stay.”

Here at Gyford, we make rod and wire mounting systems, and if you want to make a sharp, modern design with them you’ll need to get familiar with turnbuckles (don’t worry, it’s easy). This video gives a thorough, step-by-step tutorial for each of our turnbuckles and can give you a better understanding of how they work.

Turnbuckles make very strong and simple structures possible, so don’t be afraid to use them and explore the possibilities!

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