extension cord storage

[trailwart]

not sure if this is the right area to post this.... i came across this video tonight and immediatly went out and tried it. works great, makes it easier to use a small amout of cord without unrolling the whole thing. i dont have any cord reels yet, but this will hold me over.

http://www.wimp.com/extensioncord/

 

[HOTFR8]

Neatly done and very clever. I prefer the made up fittings to roll my cords onto.

 

[mrb]

that is the worst thing you can do to a cord. Once its been tied in knots like that, it will never lay out flat again. The best way to store a cord is wound in a circle using the over/under fashion the stagehand/AV guys use.

 

[Vinko]

The best way to store a cord is wound in a circle using the over/under fashion the stagehand/AV guys use.

+1 though my technique is horrible. But guys who do it for living have got it down

 

[bmwpower]

That looks like too much of a PITA.

If you want to use a shorter cord, buy and use a shorter cord.

Different length cords for different jobs.

 

[trailwart]

that is the worst thing you can do to a cord. Once its been tied in knots like that, it will never lay out flat again. The best way to store a cord is wound in a circle using the over/under fashion the stagehand/AV guys use.

both my 100' cords have a low memory coating/cover on them and those are the ones i did this to. now my 25' are tuff buggers and doing over/under they can be a pain but since there short there managable. the 100's are a pain, just to much cord, short arms/small hands. the technique in the vid. was by far the easiest method ive used to date. until i get a chance to buy or build something for my wall for there permanant residence i think that will work.(fingers crossed)

 

[toms73novass]

I have used the method in the video for years, never had a problem with my chords/memory...

 

[zr1nsx]

My contractor friend who built my home showed this to me 20 years ago and he still uses this method today. I've worked with him many times and never have I had a tangled or notted cord. Takes less than a minute for him to "knot" up his 100' cords. Works exactly as the video shows with no negative effects over the life span of the cord. The only drawback I have experienced is that it isn't real space efficient for long term storage, but if you use the cord frequently, it's the only way in my opinion to wind up the cord. My buddy uses his cords every day and hangs them in his construction trailer. First tool out of the trailer, and last one put back at the end of the day.

 

[zr1nsx]

My contractor friend who built my home showed this to me 20 years ago and he still uses this method today. I've worked with him many times and never have I had a tangled or notted cord. Takes less than a minute for him to "knot" up his 100' cords. Works exactly as the video shows with no negative effects over the life span of the cord. The only drawback I have experienced is that it isn't real space efficient for long term storage, but if you use the cord frequently, it's the only way in my opinion to wind up the cord. My buddy uses his cords every day and hangs them in his construction trailer. First tool out of the trailer, and last one put back at the end of the day.

 

[MottsRods]

I been doing it for years too. But the cheaper cords are the one's you'll have problems with, but usually just if they are cold. Now if you go buy a good Yellow Jacket cord, you'll never have any problems with it.

Just my .07 cents.

 

[oldwino]

after working with extension cords/portable power supply for 40+ years I'll say this is the ONLY way to handle your cords. Of course, as was mentioned above, you need to use quality cords (yellow jacket or equal), but anyone using their tools everyday already knows to use only the best if that's how you earn your lunch money.

 

[JB4Pres]

I'm with the 'been doing it for years' guys. My grandfather showed it to me when I was pretty young. Now if I could only get my wife to undo it properly!!

 

[jxxxoxxxe]

Same here with the "doing it for years" people. Learned it about 12 years ago in my teen's while I was roofing houses. Its the only way I keep my cords now. I have a hook on the wall, and probably have 7 or 8 hanging from it. They never get tangled....

I've also done it with some air hoses...

 

[akdiesel]

The "Daisy Chain" method is what I use for the cords as well as my climbing rope. I too Have been using for along time. It will shorten the length in half or more if doubled up and no chance of knots.

 

[barn full]

that is the worst thing you can do to a cord. Once its been tied in knots like that, it will never lay out flat again. The best way to store a cord is wound in a circle using the over/under fashion the stagehand/AV guys use.

+1 for the stagehand method. You end up with a cable that is "stacked" rather than wound in a coil.

 

[VC455]

WHAT is ...the stagehand method' ?

 

[Kevin54]

My ex Father-in-Law used to do all of his cords that way. Everytime I'd try I either had it screwed up going into it, or knotted up undoing it. I'll have to bookmark the video and give it a shot

 

[TA^Guy]

that is the worst thing you can do to a cord. Once its been tied in knots like that, it will never lay out flat again. The best way to store a cord is wound in a circle using the over/under fashion the stagehand/AV guys use.

It's not tied in knots at all.

 

[mjb]

WHAT is ...the stagehand method' ?

Here you go.

Link

 

[mrb]

WHAT is ...the stagehand method' ?

its kind of hard to explain, but basically you wrap the cord in a coil. The first loop goes clockwise, the next loop you flip back under itself so the twist is counter clockwise. Since every other wrap is in the opposite direction when you pull the cable out the opposing loops cancel each other out and there is no twist in the cable. There is no disturbance to the natural lay of the cable from when it was manufactured and it will always lay out flat.

 

[Steevo]

WHAT is ...the stagehand method' ?

Inquiring minds want to know . . .

Someone have an example?

 

[Brad54]

Here you go.

Link

How 'bout that--that's how I do it, and that's how I taught my son to do it too. Didn't know it had a name.

(click on where it says "link" in his post guys)

To store them, I have half-round peg board hooks on my wall. I put five or six of those hooks on the wall, stacked vertically one above the other, about five or six holes apart. Hang the first coiled cord on the bottom hook, and go up from there. That way they don't take up a huge spot on my garage wall, they're all easily accessible, and they're all neat and tidy.

-Brad

 

[tatra]

i have used a figure 8 method myself when i have a large space on the wall...............also free hand works..........

 

[Mike662]

Interesting idea. I've always called this a "chain knot", even though it really isn't a knot at all.

I've been doing this for years to carry rope and tubular webbing (firefighter) in a small area. It works great for in those applications, but I never thought of using this method on extension cords.

 

[VC455]

Thanks, mjb and mrb, very very helpful and understood on all levels, now and finally, THX again

 

[Dubbsy]

Interesting idea. I've always called this a "chain knot", even though it really isn't a knot at all.

Yeah, like was said this is called a "Daisy Chain" - and the tighter the loops the shorter your overall length becomes.

My preference for cord storage though still is the 'Over-Under' coil method - or what's being called the stagehand method. Ironically enough I work at a large venue and work plenty with both of these methods - Over-Under typically for steel rigging cable and our cords (electric, XLR, etc) and the Daily Chain for shorter rigging ropes (all the longer - 150-300' - ropes get coiled).

Something we have on all of our cords though that I now swear by are the velcro ties that get zip tied to the cords. http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...d=1052003&p_id=5823&seq=1&format=1#largeimage
Fasten one of these close to the end of your cord, coil it, and wrap the velcro and it keeps it nice and together while handling it.

 

[srmofo]

Ive been wanting to get a new, nice, quality 100ft 12/3 (or 10/3 if not too expensive) cord with a 3way adapter on it. What kind of cords are everyone using?

Something like this
http://www.labsafety.com/search/Woods/24550320/74597/?type=brand

Ive got plenty of cheapo orange cords , And I want something that will last a long, long time

 

[brokenknee]

I have a 10/3 cord I got from a buddy that was in construction. It is a real PITA because it is so heavy. I ended up putting 220 ends on it and use it as an extension cord for my welder.

 

[benjamming]

Ive been wanting to get a new, nice, quality 100ft 12/3 (or 10/3 if not too expensive) cord with a 3way adapter on it. What kind of cords are everyone using?

Something like this
http://www.labsafety.com/search/Woods/24550320/74597/?type=brand

Ive got plenty of cheapo orange cords , And I want something that will last a long, long time

Coleman Cable Selection Page. I like 03489. It is made in USA to boot & can be purchased from Toolbarn or many other places. Woods is made by Coleman Cable as well I believe, but I don't know if that line is made domestically or not.

Saf-T-Lite also makes many extension cords in the US. I have the 50' one but you said that you wanted 100'. I like model 5000-3106.

 

[mrb]

expensive, but here you go http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52447

 

[mrb]

Coleman Cable Selection Page. I like 03489. It is made in USA to boot & can be purchased from Toolbarn or many other places. Woods is made by Coleman Cable as well I believe, but I don't know if that line is made domestically or not.

Saf-T-Lite also makes many extension cords in the US. I have the 50' one but you said that you wanted 100'. I like model 5000-3106.

you sure those coleman cords are USA made? As far as I know CCI is making their extension cords in indonesia or something. There are only two companies making commodity extension cords who still have their production in the usa.

 

[benjamming]

Box said made in USA. Email from CCI also said made in USA. I don't really have anything else to go on.

 

[mrb]

Box said made in USA. Email from CCI also said made in USA. I don't really have anything else to go on.

ok cool. ..

 

[jrsndman]

that is the worst thing you can do to a cord. Once its been tied in knots like that, it will never lay out flat again. The best way to store a cord is wound in a circle using the over/under fashion the stagehand/AV guys use.

I'm not sure its the worst. I think wrapping the cable around your elbow may be the worst.

I agree the "stagehand method" (called over-under) is the best for the cable and easiest to store. Although I'm a little biased, being a union stagehand. The over-under method takes a good bit of practice but, once you get it, its fast. I bet I can over-under a cable quicker than anyone using the chain method.


I do occasionally use the chain method to wrap some of my ropes.



--
Jim

 

[Loadre]

Great thread to teach some younger guys some of these techniques. I had always just done the elbow wrap.

 

[benjamming]

I'm not sure its the worst. I think wrapping the cable around your elbow may be the worst.
Jim

Saf-T-Lite Cord Winder would be the same as around the elbow would it not? How is that winder so bad?

 

[jrsndman]

Saf-T-Lite Cord Winder would be the same as around the elbow would it not? How is that winder so bad?

It may not be so bad for you. In my business cables have to lay flat. Imagine a stage full of cable that just came off of one of those. Especially, cable that just came out of a cold truck. Cold wire is stiff. If you over-under a cable, it doesn't matter how cold, it will lay flat.
Also, it takes longer for me to wrap a cable on one of those things than to over-under it.


Just my opinion...

 

[Walterchang]

I spent almost half a day learning the over under method when I first started in the film industry. It is the best way to store cords and cables. The hardest where these 41 wire cables that weigh 50 lbs. Double Velcro straped and it was all good.

 

[Cummins_Powered]

funny, i tie all my horses like that when they are getting tacked up. good quick release if they......spazz out

 

[romafern]

Here you go.

Link

Thanks for posting this. I get it now