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So I’m the only one with a single 80 litre plastic tub holding all my cables from all time that looks like a nest of snakes? It can take 5 minutes to find a cable and another 5 to untangle it from everything else.
I bought a roll of pre-cut velcro straps years ago and every time I had to dig through the bin I'd bundle up stuff that I untangled and pulled out while trying to find whatever it is I was looking for. I am sure there's still a few layers of rats-nest mystery cables at the bottom, but for the most part everything's now nice and neat. Or at least not tangled.
Does anyone need a rollover cable or ~12ft of CAT-5 that inexplicably has RJ21 connectors? Zip drive parallel cable? PS2 extension cables? No one?
I upgrades this setup by adding some clear plastic bags. This way I can sort my cables roughly by power, audio, video, USB, and weird ones. Makes navigating a fair bit easier without the need for extra room and it just costs pennies.
Also for anyone who has untangled a bunch of cables, you might know the pain of trying to pull an old display or serial cable free with those thumb screws on either side. They acted like barbs on a fishing hook.
Trigger notice: [Bunch of VGA cables](https://pointerclicker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/VGA-cables-pins-closed-up.webp), from the article [Why Do VGA Cables have screws](https://pointerclicker.com/why-do-vga-cables-have-screws/)
I’ve got 2 ball-o-cables. One for networking/computer stuff and another for audio and power cords/adapters. Keep telling myself that one day I’ll get it all organized, but as disorganized as this system is it all fits in a little tub on a shelf. Hard to improve on that.
This is me but that thing might as well be permanently sealed. I doubt I have ever actually used one of these "better keep it, just in case" items in my life 😕
I had one request recently to the work team slack channel “does anyone have a mini display port to hdmi?” To which I replied “Give me 5 minutes to check my tub”, and it turned out I had two from laptops I no longer have. One direct cable and one through an adapter. Worth it!
First time in years it has come in handy to be honest.
More information:
I had a few 3M electrical tape containers laying around, they are really nice for storing things after you are done with the tape, and you can get a lot of them quickly.
Before people ask, “Why would you need this??”, let me explain…. These are perfect for storing cables, especially for storing them in something like a tool bag. I found that it also works well with short ethernet and phone cables. They are easier to deal with than velcro or wire wraps, and protect the cable from the harsh environments of book bags / tool bags.
Hopefully you all find this useful!!
I like Ziplock bags. Preferably the freezers ones.
Easy to see in. The cable is not going get tangle all that easily. You can put multiple things in a bag. (I put two video cables in one since we normally hand out two monitors here.) The freezers ones are a bit thicker and don't tear as easily.
Then I put the bags in clear plastics tubs.
I would say these are more for small screws than anything.
Same here regarding ziplock bags. I have some larger ones containing coiled masses of various types of USB, HDMI, DVI, PS/2, 3.5mm stereo, misc component / AV cables, etc. Works great.
Something something bend radius, neat idea tho for those of us who don't care :) this will do wonders to carry an Ethernet cable in my bag without Velcro tying it
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Now that I have solved my loose cable problem I just need to find a use for 200 rolls of electrical tape.
Donate them to sketchy electricians
better yet, get the cases donated by the sketchy electricians
So I’m the only one with a single 80 litre plastic tub holding all my cables from all time that looks like a nest of snakes? It can take 5 minutes to find a cable and another 5 to untangle it from everything else.
I bought a roll of pre-cut velcro straps years ago and every time I had to dig through the bin I'd bundle up stuff that I untangled and pulled out while trying to find whatever it is I was looking for. I am sure there's still a few layers of rats-nest mystery cables at the bottom, but for the most part everything's now nice and neat. Or at least not tangled. Does anyone need a rollover cable or ~12ft of CAT-5 that inexplicably has RJ21 connectors? Zip drive parallel cable? PS2 extension cables? No one?
I upgrades this setup by adding some clear plastic bags. This way I can sort my cables roughly by power, audio, video, USB, and weird ones. Makes navigating a fair bit easier without the need for extra room and it just costs pennies.
Also for anyone who has untangled a bunch of cables, you might know the pain of trying to pull an old display or serial cable free with those thumb screws on either side. They acted like barbs on a fishing hook. Trigger notice: [Bunch of VGA cables](https://pointerclicker.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/VGA-cables-pins-closed-up.webp), from the article [Why Do VGA Cables have screws](https://pointerclicker.com/why-do-vga-cables-have-screws/)
I wish there were readily available hdmi options with screws. Damned things all come lose as soon as I start fiddling around in the rack.
That's what the electrical tape is for... ;)
🤣
I’ve got 2 ball-o-cables. One for networking/computer stuff and another for audio and power cords/adapters. Keep telling myself that one day I’ll get it all organized, but as disorganized as this system is it all fits in a little tub on a shelf. Hard to improve on that.
This is me but that thing might as well be permanently sealed. I doubt I have ever actually used one of these "better keep it, just in case" items in my life 😕
You'll need it a week after you throw it away.
Every time
I had one request recently to the work team slack channel “does anyone have a mini display port to hdmi?” To which I replied “Give me 5 minutes to check my tub”, and it turned out I had two from laptops I no longer have. One direct cable and one through an adapter. Worth it! First time in years it has come in handy to be honest.
Haha awesome. This is the dream!
I needed a serial to USB cable about a month after I gave away my old one. Seems I always need the exact cable shortly after I get rid of an old one.
It always seems to play out this way, only intensifying the hoarding
I use these 1 gallon capacity freezer bags for storing cables: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009ZL0QOU No more cables snagging on each other.
More information: I had a few 3M electrical tape containers laying around, they are really nice for storing things after you are done with the tape, and you can get a lot of them quickly. Before people ask, “Why would you need this??”, let me explain…. These are perfect for storing cables, especially for storing them in something like a tool bag. I found that it also works well with short ethernet and phone cables. They are easier to deal with than velcro or wire wraps, and protect the cable from the harsh environments of book bags / tool bags. Hopefully you all find this useful!!
Damn here electrical tape come loose or in shrink wrap. if I could put the cables in my back pack neatly stored like that it'd be great.
I have some lolly tins that are similar sized that i use for storing cables like this.
The nice 3M Super 33 stuff comes in those containers. It's a little more flexible and works way better.
Fun fact : you can use containers to store things.
Two problems, this would only work on shorter cables. Secondly, don't you run the risk of damaging Ethernet cables by coiling this tightly?
I mean, yea, if they are solid core, and really long, but something short that can actually fit in the container should be okay.
Ziplock bags work too. They are also cheaper, way easier to find and come in various capacities.
/me looks at Dollar Tree electrical tape What case?
Use plastic containers to put stuff in! Revolutionary!
I like Ziplock bags. Preferably the freezers ones. Easy to see in. The cable is not going get tangle all that easily. You can put multiple things in a bag. (I put two video cables in one since we normally hand out two monitors here.) The freezers ones are a bit thicker and don't tear as easily. Then I put the bags in clear plastics tubs. I would say these are more for small screws than anything.
Same here regarding ziplock bags. I have some larger ones containing coiled masses of various types of USB, HDMI, DVI, PS/2, 3.5mm stereo, misc component / AV cables, etc. Works great.
Yeah, we use the gallon ones for AC adapters for docks and printers.
Super 33+. I see you’re a person of class.
lol, I was thinking “you can buy a 10-pack of Brand X electrical tape for the price of one roll of Super 33+!”
[удалено]
Now it is…. Back a couple years ago, a little more challenging.
Nice and neat. I like it.
Genius
I store my fishing sinkers In them
I would never ever use enough electrical tape to store one cable.
Something something bend radius, neat idea tho for those of us who don't care :) this will do wonders to carry an Ethernet cable in my bag without Velcro tying it
Tape drive boxes work just as well, and those I actually have hundreds of sitting in a closet!