Organising test leads - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sac
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 08:09:18 pm
content: Well Howdy strangers...Just wondering... What do you electronic people do in the way of organizing instrument test leads??? When ever you buy a new piece of gear,,,, in comes another bunch of leads. I brought a new scope the other day and got 4 sets of leads. I just seem to be getting a real rats nest ball of leads in the third draw down in my shop work bench...Just interested in what people do in the way of storing unused test lead really..ChrSnow

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 09:02:49 pm
content: Basically, I let them hang out ...

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2019, 11:52:32 pm
content: ^^^ Yep, that's the way to do it.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2019, 12:03:52 am
content: Very impressive collection!

author: Sac
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2019, 08:57:26 pm
content: Yussss thats just the ticket!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

author: jadew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2019, 09:01:54 pm
content: I like the "hang them on the wall" approach, but you need an empty wall for that.I'll be following this thread, maybe someone has a more compact solution.

author: bd139
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2019, 09:10:53 pm
content: Mine mostly end up all over the floor

author: BillB
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 31, 2019, 09:39:25 pm
content: I remember seeing some threads about this. Many use the wall hanging method, others used transparent storage boxes, and some used transparent zipper pouches.

author: beanflying
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2019, 10:39:32 pm
content: If you have access to a 3D printer feel free to give this one a bashhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/40w-300x200mm-laser-cutter-engraver-vollerun/msg1665956/#msg1665956

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2019, 11:04:21 pm
content: Search Amazon or your local home improvement place for socket rail organizer

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2019, 01:01:03 am
content: Even though I reckon the wall hanger thing above absolutely rulesIt's currently"..transparent storage boxes, and transparent zipper pouches"for meEasy to store and travel to jobs with (what do I need?meh take the lot..)and most important reduces the chances for dust and crust settling on the connectors when sitting there 24/7FWIW in use I'll use chairs, step ladder or stretched out bungy cord or plastic conduit as a poor mans temp wall hangerand any lead set that belongs to a meter, stays with that meter,not always a hard rule if the leads are nice to useEDIT: what would be nice, and tick most boxes for me, is to double back/loop the leads on the wall hanger,and have a flap or some sort of easy cover when not in use = less dust and crustThis way the leads are always clean, fresh and 'conductive', a great help and no brainer on hurried low level probing

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2019, 03:03:30 pm
content: Circuitous here on Eevblog showed his new workshop setup the other day. Check out the video at 2:10 to see his slide out cable organizer. These are 3Pomona test lead holdersattached to each drawer slider.I have the same Pomona test lead holders, if I was doing a similar thing to Circuitous I would probably use a type of vertical drawer as shown in the image (something similar to a tie or spice drawer).A cheap substitute idea that I came up with a few years back is using some spent rifle ammunition cases or dowel mounted on a board. Or even a closet or door tie rack might work.

author: aix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 04:29:46 pm
content: My solution is very similar to capt bullshot's. My holders are 3D printed and mounted on a DIN rail bookended by Wago 249 stops.The 3D model was based on somebody else's design, which I can't find at the moment. I'd be happy to share my files if there's interest.

author: Tom45
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2019, 06:07:36 pm
content: I'm also in the let them hang category. I use Pomona 1508 (Orange, 0.210" spacing) and Pomona 4408 (Black, 0.320" spacing) test lead holders. There are 3 of each type.On the left is a single Pomona 4408 holding scope probes. On the right are jumpers of various types, and BNC coax cables. Three Pomona 1508 and two Pomona 4408. The longer cables are back in the corner so that the excess length that ends up on the floor isn't in the way.