geekhack

geekhack Projects => Making Stuff Together! => Topic started by: Lohup on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:07:59

Title: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: Lohup on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:07:59
My hobby is making custom cables. I started out making straight cables and eventually tried my hand at coiled cables. I've been really pleased with how they've turned out:

(http://i.imgur.com/LCKYCL2.jpg]http://)
(http://i.imgur.com/ceCQb4y.jpg]http://)
(http://i.imgur.com/QDIXotN.jpg])

I wanted to share a quick tutorial on how to get a nice coil for anyone interested. You don't need any fancy equipment to get a good result.

Equipment:

* You need something like a long wooden dowel with a diameter of about 1cm - 1.5cm. I use a really crappy fake plastic one I bought from Daiso, but it does the trick.

* Hairdryer or heat gun.

* Electrical tape or other very strong tape.

* An ample amount of cable. A good rule of thumb is about 7ft of cable per 1ft of coil.

Method:

1. Sleeve the cable first. You won't be able to sleeve the cable after it is coiled. I learned this the hard way.

2. Once the cable is sleeved, use the electrical tape to attach the cable to the wooden dowel. The cable should be slanting diagonally across the dowel at the fixture point. Make sure to wrap the cable with the tape VERY TIGHTLY and wrap it around a number of times (I usually do it at least 5 times, as tightly as possible). If there is any give in the tape, it will get looser when exposed to the heat of the hairdryer and you will have looser coils at the end, which looks bad. The quality of your taping is going to be what ensures you get a tight, even coil from start to finish.

(http://i.imgur.com/H9f5dht.jpg]http://)

3. Start coiling the cable around the dowel, pushing it up toward the taped part of the cable, and keeping each coil tight using your thumb. You want to make sure that each coil is the same size as the last, and that there are no gaps between the coil. Make sure every loop is tight around the dowel. The easiest way I've found is to use your off-hand to loop the coil around the dowel and pull it tight, and your right hand to hold the coil and push it up against the previous coil.

4. Once you have your desired length of coil, you need to tape off the end in the same fashion as you did at the beginning of the coil. This is the hardest part IMO, as it's hard to both tape the end of the coil while keeping the whole thing tight. You may need a second pair of hands to help, or a vice or something to hold the dowel firm while you tie off the cable.

5. Once you've tied off the cable, check the coil at both ends to make sure there is no looseness there. If there is, don't be afraid to remove the tape and try again.

6. Grab a standard household hairdryer (or heat gun if you have one). At full heat and full power, holding the blower close to the coil, move it evenly up and down the entire coil. Allow about 2 mins per half foot of coil. When you're done the entire coil should be very hot to the touch.

7. Leave the coil on the dowel to cool when you're done. As it cools, the coil will set firmly in its current position.

(http://i.imgur.com/r8jffkW.jpg]http://)

8. When the coil is totally cool, you can remove the tape. If you've heated it enough, it will stay in place perfectly, even without the tape.

(http://i.imgur.com/MECW1x6.jpg]http://)

9. You can now slide the coil off the dowel. It's all done! To care for your coil, avoid stretching it out and handle it with care just to be safe (though I've found coils produced with this method are pretty tough and stay tightly coiled over time).

The finished result. This was a custom cable order for an Etsy customer - I'm pretty sad I didn't get to keep it:

(http://i.imgur.com/ZcIWcHo.jpg]http://)

(http://i.imgur.com/MzBJFYs.jpg])

Please let me know if you have any feedback or questions. If you decide to have a go at making a coiled cable, I'd love to see the results!

This might have been obvious to some - but hoping it'll be useful to somebody. Thanks for reading :thumb:
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: jabronni on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:20:04
Nice tutorial. Actually seems fairly easy.

I also checked out your store and I really like your cables. Do you ever do paracord sleeving?
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: Lohup on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:30:10
Quote from: jabronni on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:20:04
Nice tutorial. Actually seems fairly easy.

I also checked out your store and I really like your cables. Do you ever do paracord sleeving?

Yeah, I was pleased to discover it's not hard at all to get good results. Just a little fiddly. But worth it. I love the look of coiled cables.

Thanks for the kind words about my cables! It's a hobby I really enjoy. And yep, I do paracord as well. Feel free to PM me if you have something in mind.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:33:25
Cool! I don't like coiled cables, personally, but I have used a variant of this technique to re-coil old cables that had been stretched out.

It never occurred to me that you could coil a straight cable that way.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: fknraiden on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:46:11
Quote from: fohat.digs on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:33:25
Cool! I don't like coiled cables, personally, but I have used a variant of this technique to re-coil old cables that had been stretched out.

It never occurred to me that you could coil a straight cable that way.


iirc, this is how pexon and zeal make theirs.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: SKD on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:50:40
Once you have it coiled, you can reverse the coil the opposite way for an even tighter coil.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: Lohup on Wed, 18 May 2016, 18:18:24
Quote from: fknraiden on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:46:11
iirc, this is how pexon and zeal make theirs.

Very interesting - I was wondering how pexon did it. I'd like to learn more about his process, particularly how he handles heatshrink so well. I can't seem to figure out how to avoid a tiny bit of curl at the outer ends, though maybe that is just a trait of MDPC-X heatshrink. I'd like to try Techflex as well.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: Wazazaby on Tue, 07 June 2016, 04:44:13
Thanks for the great tutorial!
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: ninjadoc on Wed, 10 August 2016, 20:09:14
Thanks for taking the time to write this up. Good to know.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: japanitrat on Thu, 11 August 2016, 16:45:48
Nice! I recently asked Davina if they could do me a cable where both ends are coiled but not the middle. They said they couldn't do it. But this looks like it's easily possible!
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: Jokuhemmo on Mon, 04 December 2017, 15:49:46
This post might be a bit necro but i still wanted to ask: Is there any residue left on the cable from the electric tape? And if so, how do you deal with it?
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: vouisluitton on Fri, 19 January 2018, 12:43:51
Quote from: SKD on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:50:40
Once you have it coiled, you can reverse the coil the opposite way for an even tighter coil.

sorry to dig this up, but how do you reverse it? I've heard about this method but never found a guide or video.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: dubious on Fri, 19 January 2018, 12:57:10
These look really good!
Besides Pexon's, most custom cables have pretty janky looking coils IMHO. You've obviously perfected your system, keep up the good work!  :thumb:
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: ineph on Fri, 19 January 2018, 13:08:25
Nice tutorial :thumb:
I always wanted to know how to do this. I thought is a factory process.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: DMacKB on Mon, 09 April 2018, 08:58:49
FYI I just did my first of these today and maybe goe easier with the heat if you have an outer sleeve of techflex. The paracord takes the heat well but i did manage to melt two small holes in the flexPET. Given the job I did on the soldering (first time for that too) the exterior is the least of its problems :P
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: SectorOMEGA on Tue, 10 April 2018, 12:16:01
Well this worked better than I thought :) Than you very much for this. Pracord one took the heat nice
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: DMacKB on Tue, 10 April 2018, 19:51:53
I found it's hard to get the ends tight because the electrical tape melts pretty easily under the heat gun. Anyone used a more heat resistant tape with success?
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: Dreamre on Fri, 18 May 2018, 15:30:50
Thanks for sharing this, going to give it a try.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: gbchk on Mon, 28 May 2018, 16:25:02
Quote from: vouisluitton on Fri, 19 January 2018, 12:43:51
Quote from: SKD on Wed, 18 May 2016, 08:50:40
Once you have it coiled, you can reverse the coil the opposite way for an even tighter coil.

sorry to dig this up, but how do you reverse it? I've heard about this method but never found a guide or video.

I had the same question myself but I think I figured it out. Let's say you wrap your coil around a dowel rod with one end (lets call it A) on the left side and the other end (B) on the right side. So you have A>>>(coil)>>>B. Once you coil it, heat it, and let it cool, undo the ends being held in place by tape or whatever you used. Now hold B in place and basically try to reverse the coil direction by twisting the curl in your hand so that it bends in the opposite direction of the first coil. Keep doing this coil by coil until you end up with B>>>(coil)>>>A. Obviously you can do this vice versa and re-coil it in the other direction as well. After that tape your ends in place, heat it again, let it cool again, and it should be good.  This video -
- briefly shows it around the 0:25 mark, however this guy just reverses it by hand and leaves it, you obviously want to repeat the heating/cooling process to make it stay put.

Also for whoever's wondering, zip ties to hold the ends down are WAY better than tape or clips/clamps.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: _rubik on Mon, 28 May 2018, 17:31:02
Quote from: vouisluitton on Fri, 19 January 2018, 12:43:51
sorry to dig this up


No, thanks for digging this up! This has to be one of the best tutorials I've seen. I feel like it should be pinned somewhere.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: gbchk on Thu, 31 May 2018, 00:23:24
So regarding my last post on coil reversal, probably don't take my advice. I'm actually not even sure if what I described is the correct way to do it. I'm practicing coils on some cheap USB cables and getting fairly good results with the first wrap but as soon as I reverse and re-heat/re-cool, the coil comes out worse than before. If someone could provide a video of the proper way to do it, that would be fantastic, because I really can't find much.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: 1Weeb on Thu, 31 May 2018, 15:45:03
Great guide, may try this one day to save some money instead of having it pre-coiled when I get a cable made. :)
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: vouisluitton on Tue, 19 June 2018, 03:58:36
Quote from: gbchk on Thu, 31 May 2018, 00:23:24
So regarding my last post on coil reversal, probably don't take my advice. I'm actually not even sure if what I described is the correct way to do it. I'm practicing coils on some cheap USB cables and getting fairly good results with the first wrap but as soon as I reverse and re-heat/re-cool, the coil comes out worse than before. If someone could provide a video of the proper way to do it, that would be fantastic, because I really can't find much.

I think I may know how to do it now, but i need an electric drill for the reverse process.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: bloggerstomper on Sat, 17 November 2018, 05:10:40
Quote from: 1Weeb on Thu, 31 May 2018, 15:45:03
Great guide, may try this one day to save some money instead of having it pre-coiled when I get a cable made. :)

You should not reheat the coil after reversing it.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: Lanrefni on Sat, 17 November 2018, 06:18:02
This thread is giving me flashbacks to to my first job when I used to make coiled industrial cables for everything from refrigerated semi trailers to the sensor cable for a refueling planes boom arm,arming cables for bombs were the worst.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: Pitrek on Sat, 01 December 2018, 17:01:49
After many, like really many attempts I gave up. Now, I appreciate even more how superb coiled cables can be.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: snowe on Sun, 07 July 2019, 23:13:31
Quote
Grab a standard household hairdryer (or heat gun if you have one). At full heat and full power

So... definitely don't do this if you have a good heat gun. I turned mine up to 650C and... melted my techflex. :'(

Redid it at 450C and it didn't seem hot enough. I think the good zone is somewhere in 500-600C. I'll have to try again with the next cable.

Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: Mekberg on Mon, 15 July 2019, 02:39:11
Quote from: bloggerstomper on Sat, 17 November 2018, 05:10:40
Quote from: 1Weeb on Thu, 31 May 2018, 15:45:03
Great guide, may try this one day to save some money instead of having it pre-coiled when I get a cable made. :)

You should not reheat the coil after reversing it.

So what is the actual point of reversing the coil then? What do you do with it after reversing it? And is there a clearer description of what "reverse" actually means?
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: dat_brass1 on Fri, 13 September 2019, 17:09:46
I just tried this out and it worked for me. I'm right-handed

1) hold the coiled cable with the finger tips of both hands in the center
2) with the left hand, begin unwinding the coil little by little and move outward slowly
3) the cable will begin to reform the coil in the opposite direction
4) keep going. when you reach the end, do the same with your right hand to finish it
5) tada! tighter coil

This is how it's done at a factory, just with machines. I did this before finding this thread and I didn't put the sheathing on first, so now I have to find another cable and do it again!  :mad:
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: prashantwosti on Wed, 02 October 2019, 22:27:51
Can anyone please tell me what spec should I go with while choosing the paracord to sleeve the cable.

Thanks :)
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: paulkemp on Mon, 11 November 2019, 09:18:06
Nice guide. Thanks for putting this out there.

Can I ask where you get all the nice colors for your sleeves and braids?
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: egstad on Mon, 11 November 2019, 13:27:10
They look great! Nicely done! :thumb:
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: rjohn on Sun, 24 November 2019, 09:51:41
(https://i.postimg.cc/526qWSZ5/coil.jpg)
thanks was super easy ,just did my first cable with coil
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: 4sStylZ on Mon, 25 November 2019, 03:43:13
Hi there, a little bit too late for me but it’s good for everyone.

On a reddit post some days ago I have described the parts that I have personaly ordered for mines.

It can be helfull for others :

Quote
  • The most important thing is the cable diameter. You want to be as close possible to the paracord, else this will be bad looking. But you want to be able to put the sleeve on the chord. So you need to have the good cable. This one is the key to success. As you can see it's 24 AWG (American wire gauge). For some reason I get others cable with the same size but they are too big for the paracord, even 750. This is for 25 meters so this is an investisment for multiples cable…
  • Paracord size 550 to 750. If the color that you want is disponible in 750 then go for it. Remember that if you coiled, you need a more important section. Paracord 1250 can be good if you have a big sleeved cable (not the one that I recommand). You can get them on paracord planet or paracord.eu or elsewhere.
  • For USB connectors, choose something like that https://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/B07D11TD9K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 As you can see there is no plastic shield and you can cover them with heatshrink.
  • You can get Lemo connectors on Aliexpress (I don't know if they are genuine but I have some and it's pretty decent).
  • For USB-C connectors that's a little bit complicated. At this point I have done some research and there is some USB-2 connectors that I will be probably able to use. This A variation, as you can see there is two little resistors and seem's that this is very important to use for data and being able to flip the connector. I get some shield on others connectors that I have buyed additionnaly.
  • For the Heatshrink you need at least a reduction factor (when heated) of 2:1 and preferaly 3:1 or maybe 4:1 with at least 9.53 mm for smalls connectors (mini, usb-c, micro) and a close but bigger size for usb (if you don't have those with plastic shield as suggest). 9,53 can be big for a parocrd on a sleeve but good for sleeve + paracord + techflex. So I suggest you get a size a little bit smaller.  Anyway, having different heatshrink size is very confortable, so maybe buy a black or transparent kit that will follow all your needs for a lot of time. I have those in multiples colors, also made by techflex.
  • If you want to have a techflex sleeve on the paracord you can see that there is multiple size. I have used PET Expandable braided sleeve called Flexo. There is multiple size but you can see on this table the minimal size (when folded) and the maximal size when stretched. What you want is 6.35 mm size or smaller if you coil thin. 6,35 is good size with 550 paracord size to 1250 (and probably 3 time bigger).

Also some personal tips (maybe already on this post) :


Good luck.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: rjohn on Mon, 20 January 2020, 13:38:20
just saw that video ,very important in the process is reversing the direction of the coil (3:54),just did it on mine and is so much better.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: pre10c on Mon, 27 January 2020, 06:03:20
Hey, I was wondering what type of cable you guys use when making your own cable. any suggestions on where to get it?
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: bobbyjimmy on Mon, 27 January 2020, 21:06:34
Quote from: pre10c on Mon, 27 January 2020, 06:03:20
Hey, I was wondering what type of cable you guys use when making your own cable. any suggestions on where to get it?

I've used this 4 core shielded cable to make a few, seems decent enough;
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32926518660.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dflYGjR (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32926518660.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dflYGjR)

If you want a Techflex type cover, this shop sells lots of colours of 4mm PET;
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32874505150.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.432d4c4drRm62p (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32874505150.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.432d4c4drRm62p)

And paracord is everywhere, 4mm/550 just depends what colour/s you want.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: rjohn on Thu, 30 January 2020, 00:15:20
paracord :
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32697322289.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.7fd9384fw26OPB ,if you want to make it double color.

for cable i am using old keyboard cable,you can use as well ethernet cable inside has 8 cables ,you can remove the 4 and use them.

another attemp for coil ,a bit more fatty

(https://i.postimg.cc/yNbwQcLN/cable.jpg)

Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: HolyCrap on Sun, 02 February 2020, 15:27:55
I was reading around a bunch trying to decide which kind of cable to order. The concern was that 28awg might not being enough to handle current draw for RGB boards when a long coil and/or straight run was involved because I had seen it mentioned as a concern a couple of places, but with no real numbers or math to back it up. I also couldn't find any real world measurements of how much power RGB boards actually draw and I don't have the equipment to take my own power draw measurements. Some manufacturers state that their RGB boards will draw up to 500 mA, but that seems to be based on USB specs rather than real world power draw, and max power draw is likely more in the area of 100 mA or so. My RGB board is currently negotiated to 100 mA, meaning it must be drawing 100 mA max, and likely much less.

However there's always the chance that someone could attach a device drawing a lot of current to the USB passthrough too, so getting wire capable of handling 500 mA is probably a better-safe-than-sorry sort of situation, especially because I see most if not allkeyboards with powered USB passthrough like the Corsair k95 have two USB plugs for power purposes. But again, that might be more of a USB spec thing than anything else. Since there seems to be a lot of conflicting information I decided to run some numbers of my own...

There aren't many wire gauge calculators that go into the higher gauges, most of them bottom out at 20awg or so but eventually I found this one intended for LED strips. Perfect!

https://www.waveformlighting.com/tech/led-strip-light-wire-gauge-calculator-requirements

Worst case scenario, 500 mA with a 10 foot cable:

Result:
The total amperage draw of your 1 ft LED strip is 0.50 Amps, which is below the recommended safe amperage limit of 1.4 Amps for 28 AWG wire.
The total voltage drop across the 10 ft of 28 AWG wire is approximately 0.325V.

Your power source of 5V will be dropped down to 4.675 V.

Looks like at 10 feet of cable at the full 500mA the voltage drop is getting pretty concerning at 6.5% loss to heat... but that's worst case scenario. A more realistic 100mA with 10 feet of cable only loses .26% to heat, no problem at all:

Result:
The total amperage draw of your 1 ft LED strip is 0.10 Amps, which is below the recommended safe amperage limit of 1.4 Amps for 28 AWG wire.
The total voltage drop across the 10 ft of 28 AWG wire is approximately 0.065V.

Your power source of 5V will be dropped down to 4.935 V.

I won't waste space posting more results, but at a more reasonable 6 feet there would be just under 4% loss to heat with the full 500 mA which is still quite high but probably wouldn't be an issue. All that considered, I think it should be perfectly safe to make cables with 28mA power conductors because I can't actually find any boards that allow you to draw 500 mA through a single USB port, boards like the HHK2 only provide 100 mA. I'm not an expert in this stuff so if anybody more knowledgeable could chime in that'd be awesome.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: pre10c on Thu, 13 February 2020, 05:19:13
what kind of paracord do you guys use to sleeve 28awg usb wire? I bought some 550 paracord, but its too tight to get over the cable.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: HolyCrap on Sat, 15 February 2020, 09:37:55
550 has been working well for me over 28 gauge USB cable. Just keep in mind that paracord is like one of those chinese finger traps. When you pull it, the diameter reduces and it tightens over the cable. When you push the it, it loosens and slides on easily. I start with a fresh cut, fraying end to my paracord and bunch it up slightly to make it easier to fit onto the end of the cable. Once you get it started, you can clean up the end and melt it to stop the fraying. Just be sure not to melt it to the insulation of your USB cable.

To easily feed the paracord onto the cable, hold the portion of the paracord that is already started on the cable with one hand about 3 or 4 inches from the end of the cable so that the paracord doesn't slide the wrong direction and to provide an anchor for pushing the paracord on with your other hand. Start pushing paracord onto the cable and alternate letting up with your hand holding to cable to allow the excess paracord to pass further onto the cable. Repeating that process goes pretty quickly. I have read some mention of 550 that is too tight to fit, so it is possible your paracord is smaller than most. 

I guess this is one case where you can push a rope.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: rjohn on Sat, 15 February 2020, 13:39:45
same here , 550,yes its a bit tight.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: pre10c on Fri, 21 February 2020, 11:05:33
Well I think my outer diameter is just big, it's 4.6mm and when I try to get paracord over it, it just stretches the paracord to the max
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: enzo33 on Tue, 25 February 2020, 00:45:27
I'm trying my hand at custom cables for my current build. I bought some 750 paracord from Paracord Planet, but I could only get a few inches in, it was way too tight to make a full cable with. The cable stock I'm working with has a 28 AWG twisted pair for data, and two 26 AWG lines for power; it's designed explicitly for USB 2.0 (or similar applications, I guess). The cable's nominal diameter is 4.3 mm, and the paracord's nominal diameter is 5mm. So it needs a little more slack than 0.7 mm.

I'm buying some of their "Para-Max" cord (1200 lbs). The diameter is 1/4 inch = 6.35 mm, so hopefully it'll be just right, not too loose. It doesn't cost much more than the 750 stuff.

EDIT: The Para-Max has a thicker, coarser weave. It's possible to "scrunch" it to accommodate a thicker cable than I have, but you can also stretch the weave to fit flush against my USB cable. The cable just slides in, no need to work it on bit by bit. Even stretched, it's thicker than any USB cable I've ever seen, but I think I like the look. I'm looking forward to setting a coil in it.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: wholean on Fri, 28 February 2020, 18:24:00
Great tutorial! by any chance do you have any other tutorials showing how to solder the coiled cable you just made to an aviator connector?
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: BlueCheetah on Thu, 30 April 2020, 17:41:20
I don't have a cable sleeve do I need one? And if so what does it do?
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: DJ Clicks on Thu, 04 June 2020, 06:46:00
Would I be able to make a coil with just a paracord sleeving and no techflex? If yes, how tight/sturdy/good will the coil be?
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: JCraftCables on Fri, 03 July 2020, 02:12:48
Thanks for sharing this, it is really useful for someone who wants a shot at DIY!
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: alanskiii on Fri, 03 July 2020, 03:17:40
Quote from: DJ Clicks on Thu, 04 June 2020, 06:46:00
Would I be able to make a coil with just a paracord sleeving and no techflex? If yes, how tight/sturdy/good will the coil be?
Yes you can coil just paracord!
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200703/078b1a0fa1b8d4c898f9388d1e95d1eb.jpg)
Tightness is on you. One nice thing, paracord won’t melt like techflex. So you can get it pretty toasty with no worries.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: fons on Wed, 08 July 2020, 10:58:59
Quote from: alanskiii on Fri, 03 July 2020, 03:17:40
Quote from: DJ Clicks on Thu, 04 June 2020, 06:46:00
Would I be able to make a coil with just a paracord sleeving and no techflex? If yes, how tight/sturdy/good will the coil be?
Yes you can coil just paracord!
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200703/078b1a0fa1b8d4c898f9388d1e95d1eb.jpg)

Tightness is on you. One nice thing, paracord won’t melt like techflex. So you can get it pretty toasty with no worries.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Hey, I just finished my first cable to make my first coil and I want the ends to be perpendicular to the coil, basically looking for the same results as you.

I am going mad trying to figure a way of securing the ends to the coiling rod to get this result. I just find tutorials to get the ends parallel to the coil.

Can someone enlighten me on how to achieve this result?

Thank you very much for your time, appreciate a lot the help.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: alanskiii on Wed, 08 July 2020, 11:04:28
Quote from: fons on Wed, 08 July 2020, 10:58:59
Quote from: alanskiii on Fri, 03 July 2020, 03:17:40
Quote from: DJ Clicks on Thu, 04 June 2020, 06:46:00
Would I be able to make a coil with just a paracord sleeving and no techflex? If yes, how tight/sturdy/good will the coil be?
Yes you can coil just paracord!
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200703/078b1a0fa1b8d4c898f9388d1e95d1eb.jpg)

Tightness is on you. One nice thing, paracord won’t melt like techflex. So you can get it pretty toasty with no worries.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Hey, I just finished my first cable to make my first coil and I want the ends to be perpendicular to the coil, basically looking for the same results as you.

I am going mad trying to figure a way of securing the ends to the coiling rod to get this result. I just find tutorials to get the ends parallel to the coil.

Can someone enlighten me on how to achieve this result?

Thank you very much for your time, appreciate a lot the help.
I made a rig. Not 100% best solution, still has it’s cons. But it works.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200708/aad0a2399109e40c95950aadefe1c29f.jpg)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: fons on Wed, 08 July 2020, 11:57:48
Quote from: alanskiii on Wed, 08 July 2020, 11:04:28
Quote from: fons on Wed, 08 July 2020, 10:58:59
Quote from: alanskiii on Fri, 03 July 2020, 03:17:40
Quote from: DJ Clicks on Thu, 04 June 2020, 06:46:00
Would I be able to make a coil with just a paracord sleeving and no techflex? If yes, how tight/sturdy/good will the coil be?
Yes you can coil just paracord!
Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200703/078b1a0fa1b8d4c898f9388d1e95d1eb.jpg)

Tightness is on you. One nice thing, paracord won’t melt like techflex. So you can get it pretty toasty with no worries.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Hey, I just finished my first cable to make my first coil and I want the ends to be perpendicular to the coil, basically looking for the same results as you.

I am going mad trying to figure a way of securing the ends to the coiling rod to get this result. I just find tutorials to get the ends parallel to the coil.

Can someone enlighten me on how to achieve this result?

Thank you very much for your time, appreciate a lot the help.
I made a rig. Not 100% best solution, still has it’s cons. But it works.

Show Image
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200708/aad0a2399109e40c95950aadefe1c29f.jpg)



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


That is actually a great idea. As a WIP mech engineer I was over-complicating my head too much xD.

I take for granted that under those zipties there is one nail right? Otherwise the perpendicular bars would rotate with the force of the coil no?

It's my first coil, so I will definitely start from your base. Thank you man!


EDIT: NVM, just tried your zip-tie method and it surprisingly holds the force of the coil without any extra nails or anything. Coil is cooling now. Will probably reheat tomorrow. We'll see how it turns out, thanks man!

(https://i.imgur.com/g6cfKBk.jpg)



Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: JCraftCables on Thu, 09 July 2020, 10:09:16
Oh man that is such a simple but effective idea! I was just taping it down from many angles just to get the cable perpendicular :S
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: hiddensong on Thu, 16 July 2020, 23:39:55
That zip tie method looks simple. I got a bit more complicated and used some hose clamps, L-brackets and wood screws. Mine came out......not perfect (which is the only acceptable choice). Although I used MDPC-X which might be harder to coil? Maybe I didn't do my first coil perfect? I sure as hell did subsequent coils absolutely perfect. I used a heat gun, oven, tried 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 170 degrees and 200 degrees. 200 worked best @ 20 minutes. The beginning has two "loose" parts (coils gets a bit larger or loose) that start about one inch from device end, only last one coil, then start again about 3 inches after and again, last one coil. The rest is absolutely perfect. I mean I can pull it and it snaps back immediately. Was trying a MODO2 color scheme. I've ordered Tech=Flex and will see what I can do now with around 12hours experience in coiling cable (I redid the first cable around a dozen times just to see different methods). The coil never changed as far as the loose parts. The only difference was the springiness after reverse coiling AND heating.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: alanskiii on Fri, 17 July 2020, 00:54:55
Quote from: hiddensong on Thu, 16 July 2020, 23:39:55
That zip tie method looks simple. I got a bit more complicated and used some hose clamps, L-brackets and wood screws. Mine came out......not perfect (which is the only acceptable choice). Although I used MDPC-X which might be harder to coil? Maybe I didn't do my first coil perfect? I sure as hell did subsequent coils absolutely perfect. I used a heat gun, oven, tried 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 170 degrees and 200 degrees. 200 worked best @ 20 minutes. The beginning has two "loose" parts (coils gets a bit larger or loose) that start about one inch from device end, only last one coil, then start again about 3 inches after and again, last one coil. The rest is absolutely perfect. I mean I can pull it and it snaps back immediately. Was trying a MODO2 color scheme. I've ordered Tech=Flex and will see what I can do now with around 12hours experience in coiling cable (I redid the first cable around a dozen times just to see different methods). The coil never changed as far as the loose parts. The only difference was the springiness after reverse coiling AND heating.

loose coil stragglers means that part wasn't tightened enough. I like the zip ties because you can get it tight enough to hold first. then you can twist your coils tighter and cinch the zip ties more once you've reached max tightness. lol I hope those words made sense. but be careful because the zip ties can kind of mangle techflex weave, I guess mdpcx might resist that more.

gl!
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: auato on Fri, 19 February 2021, 06:55:12
Hello,
I'm watching here a really beautiful and perfect coiled cables indoor pictures but mine is like that and it's my first coil. I reversed it and I'm wondering if the reversing is responsible of that so irregular coil.
Thank you for your opinion.
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: azzipa on Mon, 22 February 2021, 10:12:59
The CordPiggy (https://www.amazon.com/Cordpiggy-Cable-Cord-Organizer-Small/dp/B01LML86TW/) is another solution for desktop cable management. Below desk I just use hook + loop or zip ties, depending on whether it's a 'temporary' fix or permanent. Also nice to have a couple in my bag for quick laptop use.

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71VGobyH9rL._AC_SL1080_.jpg)

Quote from: Daniel85 on Tue, 20 October 2020, 09:04:55
Some of the most troublesome to organize are wires, which is why I got these cable sleeves https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Sleeve-Cover-Protector-Hider/dp/B06VY4S9V2 (https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Sleeve-Cover-Protector-Hider/dp/B06VY4S9V2)to arrange everything properly. And since then, the wires don't get tangled up anymore.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: rjohn on Sun, 18 April 2021, 01:06:23
Quote from: auato on Fri, 19 February 2021, 06:55:12
Hello,
I'm watching here a really beautiful and perfect coiled cables indoor pictures but mine is like that and it's my first coil. I reversed it and I'm wondering if the reversing is responsible of that so irregular coil.
Thank you for your opinion.
(Attachment Link)
reheat it ,will be much better than this.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: darzzy on Sun, 18 April 2021, 19:50:29
Great guide! I might try it sometime in the future.
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: DirtyKey on Tue, 20 April 2021, 02:25:16
Nice guild.  :thumb:

But you can suggest some link for buying material for this :D. I want to make but don't know where to buy these material

Thank you!
Title: Re: DIY perfectly coiled cable guide
Post by: rjohn on Tue, 20 April 2021, 09:53:13
some links are on the first page of this topic .
you will need :
1.cable (i use cables from old membrane keyboards :) )
2.paracord 550
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33035887902.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.623b4c4d2IIPsq
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001270514975.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1ec64c4drHucMK
3.PET Expandable Sleeving (usually 4mm or 6mm depends how you want the inside paracord color look , i prefer 6, its easier to make it.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002351447354.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.130d2e5byw0MsD&algo_pvid=null&algo_expid=null&btsid=0b0a050b16189300695891400e1ad7&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33009293263.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.4c6c189217C5XS&algo_pvid=null&algo_expid=null&btsid=2100bddf16189302568887860ef333&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_
4.Heat Shrink Tube
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000982860060.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1ec64c4drHucMK
5.usb connector to the keyboard (C,mini,whatever your keyboard use)
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001609943195.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1ec64c4dRKtAnn
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32966482125.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1ec64c4d4lh3E3
6.usbA connector to pc
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32805700113.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.1ec64c4d4lh3E3

some more links for some mods i did on mice :

https://www.reddit.com/r/MouseReview/comments/fi2jmz/glow_in_the_dark_paracord_on_1_mouse/
https://www.reddit.com/r/MouseReview/comments/ey3c0x/lets_cookcoiled_mouse/
https://www.reddit.com/r/MouseReview/comments/ew604k/1_mouse_lenovo_1_mod/