Tips for keeping lots of cables tidy

Question

I'm working on a project with a lot of external peripherals, so this means lots of wires. Any recommendations on how to keep them tidy while working on it? I don't want to use cable ties just yet, as I need to keep moving them so would have to keep cutting the cable ties.

Ok @Dean, now it's a community wiki – Daniel Grillo Mar 04 '11 at 17:28 — Daniel Grillo, Mar 04 '11 at 17:28

score 14 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 04 '11 at 17:49

I like to use Velcro Cable ties. Basically used the same way as ones you would have to cut, but instead you just have to pull them apart.

Depending on what you are doing a Wire Duct might benefit you more. They tend to get more messy on the inside, but can produce neater results on the outside.

Nick T · Answer 2 · 2011-03-05T17:34:37.863

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"flexible plastic conduit"
"corrugated flex tubing"
"split loom"

I'm having trouble finding a good search term for it, but I've used flexible plastic/PVC wire conduit to bundle wires together in text fixtures outside of enclosures. The stuff is commonly used in wire harnesses, especially in automotive.

It's essentially a thin, corrugated plastic hose with a slit running through it so you can shove in or pull out cables and wires, available in a wide range of sizes, from about 1/4" (almost pointless; fits about (3) 16-AWG wires) up to 2".

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edited Mar 05 '11 at 17:34

answered Mar 05 '11 at 02:17

Nick T

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I've used this for a variety of projects and it looks good and is easy to use. – RQDQ Mar 06 '11 at 22:33
The 1/4" tubing is awesome for about 8x 22AWG wires. They tend to make it into hobby projects though, since there aren't (or shouldn't be) any 22AWG mains plugs. – Bryan Boettcher Aug 07 '12 at 17:20

score 6 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 04 '11 at 23:43

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Not sure where you can get it, but I've encountered this stuff that looks like spirally-cut polyethylene tubing. The stuff I've seen comes on a big reel, and you cut off as much or as little as you need. So you lop off a few inches of it, and then wind it around the wires/cables you want to bundle. It's very quick to put to use, it's quick to take off, it's re-usable, and it's neat, too.

answered Mar 04 '11 at 23:43

JustJeff

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Is this the thing you mean? http://www.maplin.co.uk/spiral-cable-wrap-26849 BTW i live in the UK and have a maplin local. – Dean Mar 05 '11 at 00:05
@Dean - yes, if that isn't the actual same stuff, it is certainly the same concept. – JustJeff Mar 05 '11 at 01:15

score 3 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 05 '11 at 16:47

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Using twist ties to shorthen cables is a very simple first step, gets rid of long lengths of cable waiting to get tangled.

answered Mar 05 '11 at 16:47

russ_hensel

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score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Mar 19 '11 at 00:48

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Insulation tape... cheap, firm hold, easy to remove.

answered Mar 19 '11 at 00:48

BG100

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It looks a tad on the messy and unprofessional side though. But still good. – capcom Jan 13 '13 at 05:29

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Apr 09 '16 at 16:31

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I don't know what this is called, but I think this would help. enter image description here

answered Apr 09 '16 at 16:31

seetharaman

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Tips for keeping lots of cables tidy

6 Answers6