Talk:2810: How to Coil a Cable

2023-08-03T00:35:52Z

Nayhem: av vs sailor; chain stitch

I don't actually know what name of 'coiling' it has, but the way I was taught to coil an AV cable (by an AV technician), and these days mostly use with long (garden-mower) power extensions, was ''maybe'' the 'quarter-turn' - though it's not a quarter, so maybe not - in finger-rotating the latest "end of loop" around the axis of the cable to leave it effectively twistless in its looped form (whilst introducing a 'one twist per loop-so-far' longitudinal twist in the still trailing unlooped cable that easily 'rolls-out' as you progress towards the free end/drag the length towards you). Done right, it's like smoothly 'drum-winding' the cable. But you ''can'' over-/under-twist the cable (especially if it has an internal/inherent twisting, like those christmas lights probably have with probably two entwined single-cores) so you may need to keep an eye on the multiloop you're forming and backtrack a bit if it looks like it's starting to figure-of-eight from the combined helical forces. But tricky to get perfect, may have a bit of a loop-twist (that only stays untangled due to it being ultimately hung on a hook). Maybe I've just not been taught the right methods by a powercord expert. [[Special:Contributions/172.70.90.20|172.70.90.20]] 19:39, 2 August 2023 (UTC)

: That first method is pretty much how I was taught by a guy with rather expensive microphone cables. It really does help the cable to last longer, since it's not stored with a twist. As a bonus, coiling a rope or extension cord this way also lets you throw it without it tangling in midair. Just make sure to hold onto/step on the non-thrown end... [[Special:Contributions/108.162.237.142|108.162.237.142]] 20:12, 2 August 2023 (UTC)

Another profession that deals with hose/cable managment is nursing (e.g. in operating room). Don't know if they have any techniques distinct from those in the mentioned professions. [[Special:Contributions/172.69.135.82|172.69.135.82]] 21:50, 2 August 2023 (UTC)

Still wondering how topology factors into this... as of this comment, there's no explanation. - [[Special:Contributions/172.70.130.234|172.70.130.234]] 22:38, 2 August 2023 (UTC)

:Probably referencing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knot_theory Knot Theory]. [[Special:Contributions/141.101.76.97|141.101.76.97]] 23:17, 2 August 2023 (UTC)

As a sailor once explained to me, the AV method (over/under) can potentially form a clove hitch around one's ankle while on deck, hence their use of figure-8. Meanwhile, there's another technique espoused by the likes of 'Essential Craftsman' where you basically use a chain stitch to hold it all together. [[User:Nayhem|Nayhem]] ([[User talk:Nayhem|talk]]) 00:35, 3 August 2023 (UTC)

explain xkcd - User contributions [en]

Talk:2810: How to Coil a Cable