Introduction: Untwist Cables
My headphone cables I use on my PC at work have an exceptionally long cable, which is part of the reason I love them so much. I like having the freedom of wireless, without having to depend on replacing the batteries or running out of charge. The problem is, that since they move around a lot, the cables have become very twisted, shortening their effective length.
After trying many other things, none of which have worked, I finally got this Idea and so far, it has worked amazingly. My thought was that none of my USB devices have this problem, and on closer inspection, the USB cables all had much thicker jackets (rubber coating on the wire) on them.
After trying many other things, none of which have worked, I finally got this Idea and so far, it has worked amazingly. My thought was that none of my USB devices have this problem, and on closer inspection, the USB cables all had much thicker jackets (rubber coating on the wire) on them.
Step 1: What You Will Need......
drinking straws (or coffee straws if it is a very thin wire like apple headphones)
Scotch tape
Scissors
Sharpie (optional, but recommended)
Scotch tape
Scissors
Sharpie (optional, but recommended)
Step 2: Step 1 - Cut Off the Tops of the Straws...
Cut the straws just below the 'knuckle' so that you have a long smooth plastic tube only. Discard the short part with the knuckle.
Step 3: Step 2 - Camouflage (optional)
Color in the straws with a black sharpie if you wish them to blend in more with the cable itself. If you really do not care, don't bother.
For visual's sake, I did not for this instructable.
For visual's sake, I did not for this instructable.
Step 4: Step 3 - Cut the Straws
There are two ways you can do this.
A.) If you want the cable to be rigid, insert the scissors into the mouth of the straw and cut lenthwise. When you are done, it should still be in one piece just with a slit down its belly.
B.) If you prefer the wire to be somewhat flexable still, similarly insert the scissors into the mouth of the straw, but this time, do so on an angle and cut it in a spiral all the way to the other end. When you are done, it should still be in one piece, but will resemble a spring of sorts.
Personally, I have done a bit of both as I do not need the entirety to be flexible, but would like the part closest to me to be.
A.) If you want the cable to be rigid, insert the scissors into the mouth of the straw and cut lenthwise. When you are done, it should still be in one piece just with a slit down its belly.
B.) If you prefer the wire to be somewhat flexable still, similarly insert the scissors into the mouth of the straw, but this time, do so on an angle and cut it in a spiral all the way to the other end. When you are done, it should still be in one piece, but will resemble a spring of sorts.
Personally, I have done a bit of both as I do not need the entirety to be flexible, but would like the part closest to me to be.
Step 5: Step 4 - Apply to the Cable
Put the cable inside of the straw, and use a very small piece of scotch tape to hold each end of the straw shut. This will prevent the straw from falling off, while also keeping your cable itself from getting sticky over time.
I used about 1/4" of tape on each end.
For example if this is your tape [====] wrap it as such:
[====]
I
I
I
The row of "I"s of course represents the straw. by applying the tape this way, t should force it to overlap itself securing it better.
Repeat this process as many times as you need to cover the length of the cable.
I used about 1/4" of tape on each end.
For example if this is your tape [====] wrap it as such:
[====]
I
I
I
The row of "I"s of course represents the straw. by applying the tape this way, t should force it to overlap itself securing it better.
Repeat this process as many times as you need to cover the length of the cable.
