Talk:2810: How to Coil a Cable

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. 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... 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. 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. - 172.70.130.234 22:38, 2 August 2023 (UTC)

Probably referencing Knot Theory. 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. Nayhem (talk) 00:35, 3 August 2023 (UTC)

I have a flat extension cord that was stored for some years using the "chain stitch" method. I ended up hanging the center of the cord from my garage ceiling for a week to get the worst of the kinks out, then wound it around a 5-gallon bucket to try to flatten it out some more. For the sake of your cables, DON'T use the chain stitch method!

This sentence makes absolutely no sense to me:

... alternating each obvious helix loop with a backhand loop (backwards helix turn) where the loop curls the same way as the other loops, but its 'helix height' is backwards ...

I think I need an "Explain Explain xkcd"... 😕 IMSoP (talk) 10:03, 3 August 2023 (UTC)

Methods explained

The over-over(quarter turn twist)

The over-under https://youtu.be/JtOGJZ_gYy8 https://youtu.be/cpuutP6Df84

See also https://people.maths.bris.ac.uk/~majge/hjce.06.pdf "Knotting probability of a shaken ball-chain" 172.70.251.170 10:08, 3 August 2023 (UTC)