How much could a half inch steel cable support without breaking?
And how much could a half inch rope support before breaking?
There are many types of steel wire rope
http://www.inventionfactory.com/history/RHAwire/introwr/introwre.html
Capacities and strengths
http://www.bridon.com/live/index.htm
Rope
It all depends on which rope you are thinking of using Manila, polypropylene, polyethylene, Dynema, Nylon
Try this site for various ropes and strengths
http://www.us-rope-cable.com/
electrolysis with stainless [...]