Cheapest Wire Holder

video Cheapest Wire Holder

Hold your wires with no cost. Just cut a piece of the spiral from a spiral-bound notebook -preferably plastic ones to avoid interferences-, extract it and wind around wires. No more mess!

Also, you can reuse GBC combs, old plastic hair clips or twisty ties for the same purpose, depending on strength and removable you need (thanks to skech123 and wrenv for suggestions).

Editor_adp says: Mar 14, 2012. 12:42 PM

Genius! Every time I recycle an old handbook, I felt like I was wasting some serious potential throwing out those plastic spirals. Great job.

WHD says: Jan 28, 2011. 5:06 AM

A great idea for a pesky problem with my cables underneath my desk.. Thanx for this great solution...

durantl says: Dec 26, 2010. 12:45 PM

effing genius !

gserrano701 says: Mar 27, 2010. 4:53 PM

Fantastic, one of the best. I'd been looking for an idea like that for ages, congrats.

doctorbee says: Nov 26, 2009. 10:32 AM

Brilliant! Never thought of it.

tjdadj says: Aug 20, 2009. 8:21 PM

Heck. I never considered posting this.. I've been using spiral spines for almost 15 yrs. on my mountain bikes. They're perfect for routing the speedo wiring along the brake lines and light wiring too.. Just wish they made it in bigger sizes..

BTW.. zipties don't work nearly as well, as the lock always snags and can they only be used once..

Good Job!!

mr.incredible in reply to tjdadjSep 15, 2009. 4:34 AM

They do make larger sizes. You can buy them as refills for spiral binding machines. I've seen them from about 1/4" up to 2".

rotarymusic says: Aug 23, 2009. 2:08 AM

Yeah!Nice idea!

camilaustral says: Aug 21, 2009. 2:43 PM

very creative!!

Hazeyboo says: Aug 21, 2009. 2:39 AM

I use the plastic hair clips - but only after I've used them in my hair for a while and at least one of the "pins" has broken and it's not good at hold my hair up. Bin them or re-use them? I re-purpose everything I possibly can.

porcupinemamma says: Aug 20, 2009. 7:56 PM

What a clever idea! Thanks :0)

skidoo says: Aug 20, 2009. 3:10 PM

What about...umm...tape?

camp6ell in reply to skidooAug 20, 2009. 6:46 PM

because tape costs money, and old spiral books you're throwing out don't.

irfree says: Aug 20, 2009. 5:33 PM

If I was king I'd put you in charge of health care and personal transportation

illdoyourdrugs says: Aug 17, 2009. 8:03 PM

Why wouldn't u just buy zip ties. They cost near nothing. Now your going to have flimsy cut up notebooks. This should at least be re-named the cheap emergency wire holder.

ansanma (author) in reply to illdoyourdrugsAug 20, 2009. 3:31 PM

In fact, the notebook I use for this is an old road map, so there is no problem removing binding. Why to buy new stuff if you can reuse old one? This has benefits on environment, your cash,...

Kryptonite in reply to illdoyourdrugsAug 20, 2009. 3:52 AM

You can't easily add or remove wires with zip ties, and zip ties also hold a little tighter then one might like. Depending upon what you use it for, both have their benefits.

fastm3driver says: Aug 20, 2009. 8:36 AM

I use these. I usually get them for $1 but they are green. I have been looking for a black version with no luck. Anyone?
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(t3kimp45kbqldx55uwzjo5nk)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=64479

ElMarko says: Aug 19, 2009. 3:20 PM

Or you could do:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cheapass-wire-control/

wrenv says: Aug 18, 2009. 6:10 PM

You could use the GBC combs too. and it might be a bit easier to put on as each tooth of the comb just tucks under the edge. They also come in many sizes.

BUT I find the plastic hair clips (the kind that are like 2 curved combs joined together with a spring) work great and are much easier to place and remove. I buy them at the dollar store -- 3 in the package for a dollar or the larger size -slightly curved, at 2 for a buck .

ansanma (author) in reply to wrenvAug 19, 2009. 8:12 AM

Thanks for suggestions, I will add to main explanation so everyone can use whatever at hand .

boozjee says: Aug 18, 2009. 3:17 PM

Sometimes the simplest things are the most elegant and useful. Free is good.

skech123 says: Aug 17, 2009. 10:29 PM

I've found that twisty ties work great too!

ansanma (author) in reply to skech123Aug 18, 2009. 7:39 AM

You're right! But I use twisty ties and bridles to immobilize one or several wires (i.e. to make shorter). The spiral method is intended for holding different wires free to move or to add and remove easily...