Any ideas on how to mark cables?

[Pilgrim]

Also known as "over/under" coiling. Have you discovered what happens when you pull the end of the cable through the middle? Not pretty. Like a lot of techs (not all though) I prefer a clockwise straight coil. That's the way the wire comes off the spool and doesn't require any fighting as that's the way the wire is trained to go.

I call it the military coil, as that's where a lot of guys learn it. I originally learned it when coiling 100 foot long mike cables with rubber coatings - those just don't work with a clockwise coil - they'll try to eat you! And I don't carry spools, although I can see where they'd be real handy in an every-day stage setting.

As you point out, the key is NOT to drop the end of the cable through the coils. If you do, you are guaranteed to have multiple knots when you pull out the cable.

The preventive solution is: velcro cable wrap. Coil the cable with the over/under method, secure the ends firmly with a good long velcro cable wrap and you won't have the problem of either cable end dropping through the coil.

There are a lot of "how to" coil wrapping demos on YouTube, but this one is one of the better ones. I need to do one myself because I don't like the way most folks teach it.

 

[Testing123]

Zip ties like these.

Then just use a Sharpie to write whatever you want on them.

These don't appear to be reusable though. The little tab doesn't appear to stick out of the housing enough that you could release it... know what I mean?

 

[Zooberwerx]

These don't appear to be reusable though. The little tab doesn't appear to stick out of the housing enough that you could release it... know what I mean?

I'd use them to permanently tag the end of each cable (purpose and placement location...inputs, outputs, etc.). I still use the Velcro loops to bundle for storage.

Riis

 

[Jazzdogg]

A lot of pro audio and lighting companies print small labels and put clear heat shrink tubing over it. That's the slickest way.

That's what I do to identify ownership; with color coding (similar to ExaltBass) to disclose cable length and distinguish between signal cables, speaker cables, etc. I buy P-touch labels made by Brother ("Cable/Wire Labels") specifically for this purpose, and cover them with transparent heat shrink tubing. Works great. . I started out marking my cables with a silver metallic Sharpie, but it was time consuming, not particularly legible, and didn't look very professional.

 

[Boguszewivz]

I used to do this when I used expensive cables. I just stuck a piece of paper on the end of the cable with my initials on it, then I wrapped it in clear tape. You can't see it from the audiences perspective and if you do it right it looks really neat.

 

[nsmar4211]

I'm going to have to go look for clear heat shrink tubing now...

Right now I've got yellow zip ties on the ends of all my electrical cords. Zip the tie, clip the end, use a woodburner to melt the sharp part flat (trust me, it *will* cut you if you don't). Save having 6 inches of zip tie hanging off. Saved me some aggravation at a local festival when *everyone* had the same colored electrical cords-I claimed all the yellow zip tied ones.

Instrument cables I've resorted to buying colored ones , and I make my own cable wraps out of strapping and velcro sewed on-only me and my guitar player have those in this town (I made his blue and mine red/purple). The speaker cables and mic cables have the zip ties on the ends (blue and red).

As for the Brother P Touch labels, the normal kind work great around the ends (on the molded/metal part) if they don't get a lot of wear. I did the "fold over and make into a tag" routine, but all of those have worn out over the last few months. I work at Staples and have been eyeballing the special cable labeling types of tape you can get, but haven't tried it yet, looks like it'll not wear off as fast. BTW, don't bother sticking the regular type on equipment , after a few months they fall off.

But I'm really liking the clear heat shrink idea and now am off to scour the web......

 

[Zooberwerx]

I just bought a hundred of the cable ties w/ labels off of E-bay (just search "cable tie tag"). Good thing because I couldn't find any locally.

Riis

 

[nic salsus]

But I'm really liking the clear heat shrink idea and now am off to scour the web......

Unless you're really out in the sticks there's an electronics parts or repair place near you that has the stuff. It's common as dirt in that industry.

 

[nsmar4211]

Only thing that passes for electronics parts stores around here is Radio shack, and none of mine have the clear stuff (I've looked at it before)...... not finding it too well on the web, looks like I need a huge one to go over the ends but then it won't shrink to the cable size....... anyone care to share sources and sizes?