cable/leads organization - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: pb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2010, 11:04:22 pm
content: I'm amassing a collection of various cables and leads that I tend to use frequently. My feeble attempts at taming the rats nest have failed. What do people use to organize test leads, serial, usb cables, etc..? So far I've tried:Plastic bins. I've tried both open and those with lids. Too much digging through. It was a little better when I bagged each cable separately. But taking them in and out of the bags for each use is not much fun."Hand-made" cable rack. I took a 2 foot piece of lightweight wood and routed (using a Dremel) slots to hold the cables (sort of like a slots for a dovetail joint). The grooves are not deep enough so the cables are barely staying put and the wood was too light and has a noticeable bend already. This did have room for ~20 cables though.Ideally, I'd like something that I can either mount on the wall or can be attached to something like my work table.Thoughts?pb

author: DJPhil
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2010, 11:42:19 pm
content: Looks like I could use a few ideas too. I shall think on it and report back if I come up with something amazing.

author: allanw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 13, 2010, 11:43:44 pm
content: My uni has something like this:http://www.markertek.com/Cable-Management-Protection/Cable-Racks/Fluke-Electronics/4408-POM.xhtmlpretty cheap

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 13, 2010, 11:47:00 pm
content: Something like this?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 14, 2010, 01:06:51 am
content: Doesn't everyone have a few offcuts of split cable duct screwed to their wall for test lead taming? Must be just me.

author: pb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2010, 01:34:17 am
content: Quote from: GeoffS on November 13, 2010, 11:47:00 pmThat's what I had in mind when I made my wooden masterpiece. Where did you find that?

author: johnmx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2010, 01:49:04 am
content: Last week I bought this support for modular test leads which I like very much:http://pt.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=searchProducts&searchTerm=509-399+&x=23&y=12#headerIt can be mounted easily on any vertical surface to hang conveniently test leads and other wiring sets. Includes 15 plastic molded hooks to be attached to the aluminum rail (35cm long) in any position.Unfortunately the product is not available any more and I wanted to buy more supports!!

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 14, 2010, 02:31:46 am
content: Quote from: pb on November 14, 2010, 01:34:17 amThat particular one was from a Google search. The vendor ishere.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2010, 02:44:17 am
content: here ya golink

author: pb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2010, 06:08:26 am
content: Quote from: sonicj on November 14, 2010, 02:44:17 amnice.

author: cybergibbons
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2010, 07:51:24 am
content: Quote from: Uncle Vernon on November 14, 2010, 01:06:51 amAlways what I've seen when I've been working anywhere electrical rather than electronic. It's worth selecting the smoothest plastic you can - some of the trays have nasty sharp edges.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2010, 10:48:57 am
content: I use the same just like the photo, except I don't roll or bundle them. Let the string or wire hang higher so the lead do not coil, then clip a lead to the wire. Alternatively, string 2 wires tightly together in parallel or a thick rubber band, then you can separate them and insert the cables without using a cable's clip or lead to hold them in place.Very little cost and you can make as many as you need.For emergency expansion of cable holders, just use a coat hanger, the cheapo wire ones work best, and clip the leads to the hanger.Quote from: DJPhil on November 13, 2010, 11:42:19 pm

author: logictom
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 15, 2010, 10:19:29 pm
content: Quote from: allanw on November 13, 2010, 11:43:44 pmI saw one of these mounted on a wall at uni the other day, what a simple solution and something I must find to buy - no doubt it will be more than I'm willing to pay for a piece of metal with a couple of slats cut into it. Anyone know a UK source?

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 15, 2010, 11:46:54 pm
content: sounds like a business opportunity for someone with access to a laser cutter & acrylic/plexi.

author: pb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2010, 07:28:52 am
content: Quote from: DJPhil on November 13, 2010, 11:42:19 pmInspired by the clothes pins in the picture, I updated my wooden masterpiece. 23 clothes pins + 24" piece of poplar + 3/4" tack nails. I plan to order some of the metal cable racks mentioned elsewhere in this thread once I need something else and can add them to an order (instead of paying ~50% in shipping).(made images smaller)

author: MrPlacid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2010, 07:08:57 pm
content: I got lots of these cable organizer things (see 2nd pic) when I purchased a miscellaneous lot from ebay. Anyways, I hot glue it down onto a ruler, then hot glue the ruler onto the table. You could drill some holes and put it into the wall or onto the side of the table if you want to.It doesn't do big cables well, but your clothes pin would take care of that--edit--see 1st pic