Introduction: Color Coded Cable Ties and Labels
Here's an easy trick that helps me in my ongoing struggle to keep track of the million or so cords in a non-tangly way.
These could be used to keep your chargers under control or to let you identify all the cords on your power strip at a glance. The latter may keep you from accidentally unplugging your DVD player mid-movie or game console mid-level...not that I am speaking from experience or anything.
Step 1: Materials
Here's what you'll need...
- As many colors of duct tape as you like
- Velcro
- Sharpie
- Scissors
- Hole punch
Step 2: Form Tie
To make the tie...
- For small cords (chargers, iPod cables, etc.) 4 inches covers it.
- Fold Tape into thirds
- Stick one piece of Velcro to the end of the tape
- Stick the corresponding piece of Velcro on the opposite side about 3/4 of the way down
Step 3: Create Label
To make into a label...
- Punch a hole in the tape beneath the second piece of Velcro
- Make a cut from the end of the tape to the hole
- Wrap a small piece of cut tape around one end to form a tab
- Add tiny pieces of Velcro to each side allowing the tab to open and close
- Attach to cord
- Add descriptions if you like
Thanks for checking this out!
9 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
It's much easier and cheaper to buy these in bulk, I got 50 red ones for $16. Now I know which mic and instrument cables are mine after a gig.
http://www.buyheatshrink.com/cableties/velcro-cable-ties.htm
12 years ago on Introduction
If there was a 'Like' button on here I would definitely hit it.. Love the idea.. I need that with all the cables that I have and the power adapters that I have for all the things that I got. Most of which that I don't use anymore, but still want them as a 'just in case' measure.
12 years ago on Introduction
i use ziplock bags to organize my mess of cabling. it works well for me. but its not as nice and neat looking as your solution.
12 years ago on Introduction
Looks sturdy, colourful and very very practical, and nicely low tech.
12 years ago on Introduction
This is a great design! I like the way the wrapper is attached to the cord.
12 years ago on Introduction
Very nice. Rubber bands disintegrate too.
In addition, if you put a small piece of wax paper on the sticky side of the duct tape before whole punching, you get a matching color dot to mark where it plugs to. You would need to do it on a separate piece of tape. I'm sure it would mess up your design if you put the wax paper in the band you were working on.
12 years ago on Introduction
COOL! Right now I am dealing with the clutter of my shop and decided to look some Instructables for help. Thanks for this simple & effective tip!
12 years ago on Introduction
that looks alot better than rubberbands! thanks for the great ible!
12 years ago on Introduction
Nice cable wraps. Very smart!