Extension Cords

[Bikeboy80]

How do you store extension cords?

I've tried the good old wrap over the arm and tie the cord off but I'm wondering what others are doing to keep their cords neat and ready to use. [big grin]

 

[Deansocial]

I wrap mine around hand n elbow and still end with a mess a next job

 

[semenza]

Cord reels.

Seth

 

[andyman]

yep me to even worse in cold weather got to get myself a 110V lead on a drum

 

[Deansocial]

I hate em on a drum. Need the loose type.

 

[epicxt]

Old climbing trick is to wrap them in a "daisy chain".  Then when you need them just pull on one end and it comes undone.

 

[galwaydude18@gmail.com]

Old climbing trick is to wrap them in a "daisy chain".  Then when you need them just pull on one end and it comes undone.

What's that trick? I never heard if it. How do you do it?

 

[Bikeboy80]

Old climbing trick is to wrap them in a "daisy chain".  Then when you need them just pull on one end and it comes undone.

I saw an example of this while searching around, looks interesting but I'm not quite sure how you would store them once they are wrapped up. Do you just combine all of the "loops" and hang on a hook?

 

[Bikeboy80]

Old climbing trick is to wrap them in a "daisy chain".  Then when you need them just pull on one end and it comes undone.

What's that trick? I never heard if it. How do you do it?

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=eaEv9wm6gy0&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DeaEv9wm6gy0

 

[Jonhilgen]

If you wrap around your elbow and hand, eventually the cord developed a twist an remain a mess.  When you roll up a cord, you have to loosely wind it using both hands and slightly roll the cord a little to make sure the cord won't develop the twist I mentioned.  Been using the same cords for years an they're still straight am never tangle.

I store my cords in a small recycling bin (slightly larger than a kitchen trash can, and this doubles a a job site waste bin during the day.  You can seethe size of the blue bin in the picture.  I have a 100', three 50', and three 25' cords in there.

Jon

 

[johninthecamper]

I wrap mine around hand n elbow and still end with a mess a next job

worst possible way to do, google search "over under cable"

 

[semenza]

I wrap mine around hand n elbow and still end with a mess a next job

worst possible way to do, google search "over under cable"

Yup , that was the standard way  when I worked at a TV studio.  Except for the triple cable 300'  runs. That stuff all went on 2' diameter spools.

Seth

 

[TinyTiger]

I use the "Over Under Cable" Method as well and secure the coil with a plastic cord cuff (it looks like a plastic handcuff).  It allows the cord to pull straight out from the coil without kinking.

 

[Connollyir]

I use the "Over Under Cable" Method as well and secure the coil with a plastic cord cuff (it looks like a plastic handcuff).  It allows the cord to pull straight out from the coil without kinking.

I second that, the ones I use I get at Home Depot.... Cable Cuff I think is the name. They have a range of sizes up to some that will hold hoses, 100' cords etc..

I have also used two quick clamps on each coil before hanging it in my truck. The cuffs break easy in cold weather so buy extra, they are cheap.

-Ian

 

[tiralie]

When you roll up a cord, you have to loosely wind it using both hands and slightly roll the cord a little to make sure the cord won't develop the twist I mentioned. 

+1

I store my cords in a small recycling bin (slightly larger than a kitchen trash can, and this doubles a a job site waste bin during the day.  You can seethe size of the blue bin in the picture.  I have a 100', three 50', and three 25' cords in there.

Jon:
Cool. How do they stay in those upside down bins? [wink]

 

[Bikeboy80]

My dad tought me the hand to elbow method,  I started to notice as I worked with him longer that all of his cords were a magnled mess. He always blamed it on crappy cords.
His brother came up to work with us and showed me the over under method and I have been using that since. Also using a short piece of copper wire rapped around the end to secure to another cord or to itself when storing it. This works better but the longer cords still tangle.

 

[Rocky]

You could always use a wheeled garden hose reel.

 

[mikey2]

I get these things, and hang the cords on a wall.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1291471

 

[Blackberry]

String the cord out, hold both male and female ends together in one hand.  Pull lengths of cord into that same hand coiling/looping the cord into a loops.  Then when its time to use it, toss the cord back out onto the floor and it will never be tangled. 

 

[Rocky]

I still think garden hose reel is better, you could Daisey chain different lengths together and its very mobile.