Tie/Twist Extension Cords

Can anyone explain how to loop and then tie an extension cord?

When you do this you can use (stretch) it, it just unloops and doesn't tangle.

I am suffering from cord chaos!

[Tomteriffic]

Well, hey there, stranger

Do you mean, like electrical cords and such? My method, which I use on microphone cables, instrument cables, darn near everything, is this:

Start with one end of the cable on your right hand. With your left, grab enough cable so that, when you bring it over to your right hand, there's enough to make a loop about a foot across. Now, heres' the trick. As you bring that length of cable over with your left hand, give it a half-twist. Doesn't matter which direction, as long as you're consistent. The half-twist is the key. As you wind up the cable, it will then lie flat and not squirrel or kink up.

As far as securing it, you can use re-usable cable ties, available at the hardware store, velcro ties, available at hardware and music stores, or tie a shoestring to one end of the cable, with lots of loose string left over, then tie up the rolled cable bundle when it's nice and neat.

I also will "save" the last few feet of the cable and just gently go around the bundle with it, wrapping it around it as I go, kind of like you'd see on a wreath made of vines. Keeps it snug and easy to deploy when you need it.

I knew 30 years in the rock 'n' roll bidnez was good for something

Hmm, I might have to try that one, Tom.

My method is far more archaic.

Start with one end in hand, then draw through till you get the other end of the cord. Now you've got both ends in your hand. Draw through again until you reach the end of the cable. Basically all you're doing is folding it in half and half and half until you're left with a length you can tie into a standard knot. Then tie the whole bundle into a single knot. This serves to keep the cable untangled, plus you don't have to use any sort of cable tie to keep it together. When you need to use the cable, simply untie it, grab the plug ends and let it unfurl (or throw the looped end at people across the room like we do). You should have a kinkless cord and both of the business ends right where you want them. My dad (also a long time musician) taught me that trick.

I'm gonna try your method tonight Tom (got a gig in Sault Ste Marie) and see what happens. Most likely I'll end up tied to something...

[Tomteriffic]

Play your umm... bass off, Whir Got snow there yet?

The advantage to this method is that you get no kinks or even tight bits in the cable, thus reducing breakage of the internal conductors. Not a big deal with electrical extensions or even heavy-duty speaker cable, but mike cables and guitar cords have pretty tiny internal conductors, and tying 'em in knots repeatedly can break them.

[Brainchild]

I usually just roll them around hand and elbow in the same direction till the end of the cord,then untangle them when I need them.Of course this is what you're trying to get away from Surreal,but at least I can say hello

[thekingofpain]

Are you wanting to make it end up looking like a shorter interlocked sort of "chain" that as you pull on the end it unfurls?

Indeed Tom, indeed. Which is why you don't actually tie them tight. Not to mention that when you're wrapping six to twelve wires around eachother, it's pretty hard to make a tight knot. But my description may have been sort of vague on that point.

Play my bass off. Yes! No snow yet, although it did throw some at us the beginning of last week. Good thing it wasn't down by Surreal. Everything would've closed. Progress on the house would've ceased!

[korgul]

Hey Surreal, long time no see.

I use the velcro straps to tie up pretty much all of my cables and wires. Works great and very easy to fasten and unfasten.

Originally posted by thekingofpain
Are you wanting to make it end up looking like a shorter interlocked sort of "chain" that as you pull on the end it unfurls?

YES!!!! That's what I'm talking about! When you do it that way you can wade it up, toss it in a pile and you never have a tangle.

I remember making a loop then like a twist tie and then another loop, another tie, another loop, another tie..

When you need to use it, it will just untie with a light pull and you don't unravel the whole thing unless you use it...

Tom I use your method on the garden hose (hi ya buddy!)

Brainchild when I use your method my arm is stuck in it, but at least I don't have to look for it

Hi korgul! awe you're taking the easy way out!

[rubyred]

Originally posted by thekingofpain
Are you wanting to make it end up looking like a shorter interlocked sort of "chain" that as you pull on the end it unfurls?

i ve been using that method off an on for years. its actually the same as a knitting "chain" stitch,i tink

nice to see ya,surreal

oops,logged in as ruby again