How to store cables?

[spiralfuzion]

I have so many cables from audio (3.5mm, optical, component and various other), display, networking, usb and more. I am ordering cable ties (the Velcro ones) in 100 pack 8inch by 1/2inch. Any other ideas or suggestions on how to store them? I also heard putting them in plastic bags also helps. Thanks a lot!

[knightslugger]

plastic sandwich bags is a good idea, but so is partitioned storage containers.

[thenastyjbenny]

2 minutes ago, spiralfuzion said:

I have so many cables from audio (3.5mm, optical, component and various other), display, networking, usb and more. I am ordering cable ties (the Velcro ones) in 100 pack 8inch by 1/2inch. Any other ideas or suggestions on how to store them? I also heard putting them in plastic bags also helps. Thanks a lot!

Those help, also maybe put some dividers in one of these: https://www.amazon.com/STERILITE-Drawer-Mini-20738006-Clear/dp/B006SOJFDA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1481824290&sr=8-4&keywords=plastic+drawer

 

Works really well for me.

[AnonymousGuy]

Big plastic bags for categories like "USB" "Video" etc.  Then throw in a big plastic container like STerilite or like you can get from Ikea for cheaper.

[spiralfuzion]

2 minutes ago, knightslugger said:

plastic sandwich bags is a good idea, but so is partitioned storage containers.

 

1 minute ago, JR8 said:

Those help, also maybe put some dividers in one of these: https://www.amazon.com/STERILITE-Drawer-Mini-20738006-Clear/dp/B006SOJFDA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1481824290&sr=8-4&keywords=plastic+drawer

 

Works really well for me.

I have a this one right next to me so how do you think i can bundle them to store them in here? Should i color code the bags or the velcro straps or some other system?

 

 https://www.walmart.com/ip/16415880?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000769447&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40344044072&wl4=pla-62497557666&wl5=9032878&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=16415880&wl13=&veh=sem

[thenastyjbenny]

1 minute ago, spiralfuzion said:

 

I have a this one right next to me so how do you think i can bundle them to store them in here? Should i color code the bags or the velcro straps or some other system?

 

 https://www.walmart.com/ip/16415880?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000769447&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40344044072&wl4=pla-62497557666&wl5=9032878&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=16415880&wl13=&veh=sem

I would use a strip of duct tape to label each drawer, what you name it is up to you, but I normally split it up by audio, visual, SATA (or other computer cables), etc. etc.

 

Then you can get more specific if you like. I personally don't like plastic bags, I think they look trashy, so I cut out cardboard dividers for mine (vertically, two in each drawer) and laid similar cables in the same partitioned area. When two different cables (like SATA 2 and 3) look really similar to each other and you don't want them mixed up, take a piece of gaff or duct tape, put it on part of it, and use a sharpie to mark the cable with whatever type/name it is.

 

Hope that helps.

[pwn_intended]

TP rolls can be very good for this, especially if you put it in a drawer. A lil on the ugly side though.

http://lifehacker.com/5798636/store-miscellaneous-cables-with-a-diy-toilet-paper-tube-organizer

[spiralfuzion]

1 minute ago, JR8 said:

I would use a strip of duct tape to label each drawer, what you name it is up to you, but I normally split it up by audio, visual, SATA (or other computer cables), etc. etc.

 

Then you can get more specific if you like. I personally don't like plastic bags, I think they look trashy, so I cut out cardboard dividers for mine (vertically, two in each drawer) and laid similar cables in the same partitioned area. When two different cables (like SATA 2 and 3) look really similar to each other and you don't want them mixed up, take a piece of gaff or duct tape, put it on part of it, and use a sharpie to mark the cable with whatever type/name it is.

 

Hope that helps.

 

I like the idea of the dividers! Since I only have three drawers It should help!

1 minute ago, pwn_intended said:

TP rolls can be very good for this, especially if you put it in a drawer. A lil on the ugly side though.

http://lifehacker.com/5798636/store-miscellaneous-cables-with-a-diy-toilet-paper-tube-organizer

I also like that idea but I'd need to get the rolls haha. 

[ProjectBox153]

Rubber bands FTW!

[knightslugger]

6 minutes ago, spiralfuzion said:

 

I have a this one right next to me so how do you think i can bundle them to store them in here? Should i color code the bags or the velcro straps or some other system?

 

 https://www.walmart.com/ip/16415880?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000769447&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40344044072&wl4=pla-62497557666&wl5=9032878&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=16415880&wl13=&veh=sem

That would work. if you have more than 3 of a thing, find some cardboard and cut out some dividers so that you have compartments.

[pwn_intended]

1 minute ago, spiralfuzion said:

I also like that idea but I'd need to get the rolls haha. 

Well apparently you're not full enough of shit.

[knightslugger]

1 minute ago, pwn_intended said:

Well apparently you're not full enough of shit.

or maybe he is, hense the lack of used TP rolls.

[darthgibbs2002]

ammo cans ammo cans ammo cans

 

get a bag of stronger rubber bands and band each cord then put them in ammo cans by what type they are ( video, audio, specialty, etc) 

can be expensive but worth it you wont damage your cords or get them wet also easy to store in bulk 

[corrado33]

I throw them all in a box then pull whatever one out I need. A bit messy, sure. I had them organized at one point but it never stays that way and if I zip tie them together I can never find the scissors when I need them. 

[darthgibbs2002]

1 minute ago, corrado33 said:

I throw them all in a box then pull whatever one out I need. A bit messy, sure. I had them organized at one point but it never stays that way and if I zip tie them together I can never find the scissors when I need them. 

use rubber bands

 

[spiralfuzion]

3 minutes ago, darthgibbs2002 said:

ammo cans ammo cans ammo cans

 

get a bag of stronger rubber bands and band each cord then put them in ammo cans by what type they are ( video, audio, specialty, etc) 

can be expensive but worth it you wont damage your cords or get them wet also easy to store in bulk 

ok this might be crazy to you but i actually have 3 of them! lol

[darthgibbs2002]

Just now, spiralfuzion said:

ok this might be crazy to you but i actually have 3 of them! lol

not crazy at all thats how i store everything

[knightslugger]

4 minutes ago, spiralfuzion said:

ok this might be crazy to you but i actually have 3 of them! lol

Just three?

[ProjectBox153]

1 minute ago, knightslugger said:

Just three?

I have so many cables I'd need at least 12

[Zoravar]

I wrap my individual cables with velcro straps.  They then go into small amazon boxes (each box is labeled by category).  Four of the small boxes will then fit perfectly into the larger size boxes I have. Then all the large boxes go in the closet. 

[spiralfuzion]

1 minute ago, knightslugger said:

Just three?

i have 3 drawers in my organizer and they're pretty large. It's almost exactly the same as this one.   https://www.walmart.com/ip/16415880?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227000769447&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40344044072&wl4=pla-62497557666&wl5=9032878&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=16415880&wl13=&veh=sem

[ProjectBox153]

Just now, Zoravar said:

I wrap my individual cables with velcro straps.  They then go into small amazon boxes (each box is labeled by category).  Four of the small boxes will then fit perfectly into the larger size boxes I have. Then all the large boxes go in the closet. 

That wouldn't work for me, because I always find myself pulling them out and putting more in

[darthgibbs2002]

Just now, Jamiec1130 said:

I have so many cables I'd need at least 12

there not that expensive if you have too get some 50 cal tall ammo cans there almost the same price but there is more space and if you have multiple categories some might require different size ammo cans for different cattegories

[ProjectBox153]

Just now, darthgibbs2002 said:

there not that expensive if you have too get some 50 cal tall ammo cans there almost the same price but there is more space and if you have multiple categories some might require different size ammo cans for different cattegories

I'd do that if I had somewhere to store them. I'd paint them to match my setup. 

[Zoravar]

3 minutes ago, Jamiec1130 said:

That wouldn't work for me, because I always find myself pulling them out and putting more in

I do the same thing.  The thing I noticed is the smaller boxes stay a lot cleaner and more organized than the one big box I have that doesn't use the small box system. So I think the key if you're going to use larger containers, regardless of what container it is, is to use some sort of divider system.