Is Ultra-Flex cable as durable as standard cable ?

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Hi everyone,Anyone have experience with the durability of the rubber jacket on Ultra-Flex cable sold at Arc-Zone.com ?I was given a free sample of the Ultra-flex, and it is way more flexible than Excelene or standard no name brand online. The outer jacket of the Ultra-Flex is noticeably softer and more flexible than the other two I have.  So besides the almost double strand count and smaller gauge of the copper strands, the jacket is also much more flexible. What I would like to know is how the Ultra-Flex stands up over the test of time ?Thanks in advance,
Reply:It all depends on how and where it's stored and abused. Is it in the sun? Does it dragged across gravel or concrete floors? How hot and cold does it get, etc. Is overkill using it for long leads. It probably lasts as long as standard cable but I don't think your question can really be answered unless you had 1 of each of the cables side by side being used the exact same way.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Welder Dave

It all depends on how and where it's stored and abused. Is it in the sun? Does it dragged across gravel or concrete floors? How hot and cold does it get, etc. Is overkill using it for long leads. It probably lasts as long as standard cable but I don't think your question can really be answered unless you had 1 of each of the cables side by side being used the exact same way.
Reply:I've used it for a few years now. It's held up well. I used it previously on my stinger lead, #0 cable. On the Esab 180 I just got I wanted longer leads. I had 30' of #2 ultra-flex so I made a 17' stinger lead and a 13' ground lead.. Works well, much easier to coil up the leads when done. I won't use nothing but for a stinger whip on other leads. Cost is probably the biggest factor for not using it for all leads.
Reply:For stick welding just use 5 feet of smaller cable size. This what did with my portable welder it was very flexible. Dave

Originally Posted by Jonath108

ThanksDo you have any direct experience with using this Ultra-Flex cable ?
Reply:

Originally Posted by M J D

I've used it for a few years now. It's held up well. I used it previously on my stinger lead, #0 cable. On the Esab 180 I just got I wanted longer leads. I had 30' of #2 ultra-flex so I made a 17' stinger lead and a 13' ground lead.. Works well, much easier to coil up the leads when done. I won't use nothing but for a stinger whip on other leads. Cost is probably the biggest factor for not using it for all leads.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Jonath108

Thanks,That is exactly what I needed to know. Cost is worth it to me, coiling up my leads probably take the most time of all,  when setting up my stick welder.   Even at 4.80 a foot for 1/0.
Reply:

Originally Posted by M J D

It's night and day difference in the flexibility when coiling up your leads. I haven't had any burn thru or abrasion issues with the orange leads . I tape my ground lead every 18" or so with a strip of black tape to make distinguishing the 2 apart easier.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Jonath108

Thanks again,Did you notice any difference when cutting , stripping, and crimping compared to standard welding cable ? Thanks
Reply:

Originally Posted by M J D

I thought if anything it was easier to strip the jacket from the cable. I didn't do any crimps as the were all setscrew type connections on the dinse, stinger and ground clamp. On those I use copper tube or copper sheet wrapped around the stripped section. That really helps with the fraying and squashing out when tightening the setscrew.