Video: Finally: How to Roll Up An Extension Cord

[quadro]

This is the kind of next level content that keeps me coming back.

[Satch12879]

Ugh. Over/under people.

Listen, the over/under technique is the RPE of cable management; unnecessary complexity for its own sake and based on tenuous assumptions.

There are a handful of cables in the world that can benefit from it and you ain’t wrapping them.

[Mike Barry]

Hey coach, I didn't watch the video but I found a free template online for rolling up extension cords. Good stuff. Since I don't currently own or have access to an extension cord, what are some good exercises I can do as a substitute?

[Brian Harlin]

A better way is the over/under method. It doesn’t depend on accumulated twisting of the cable.

Agreed

[Mark Rippetoe]

Hey coach, I didn't watch the video but I found a free template online for rolling up extension cords. Good stuff. Since I don't currently own or have access to an extension cord, what are some good exercises I can do as a substitute?

Barbell rows.

[DoinFives]

Years ago i worked on a house framing crew and we rolled up extension chords using the “daisey chain” method. Anybody heard of or seen this?

[Mark Rippetoe]

Yeah, takes up too much room.

[wal]

When I took up rock climbing in 1968 this is how I learned to coil a rope. Little things make life easier.

And Safer. You should check a lead for external damage before use, looking for exposed cores and torn casings. Coiling up a lead like Mark has correctly shown will pick these faults up before they become a hazard. Some home made extensions leads are wired with the incorrect polarity and God forbid sometimes have transposed ground core into the active or neutral pins. Then! One flash and your ash!

[Lasse Høi]

Ugh. Over/under people.

Listen, the over/under technique is the RPE of cable management; unnecessary complexity for its own sake and based on tenuous assumptions.

There are a handful of cables in the world that can benefit from it and you ain’t wrapping them.

The only tenuous assumption I make is that people on these forums have a tiny bit of spatial sense and are open to reasoning.

Try this simple test:
1. Have a perfectly straight untwisted cable on the floor.
2. Coil the cable per the over/under method.
3. Now, put the cable on the floor. Take the upper end of the end cable and drag it for a distance until the cable is uncoiled. The alternating loops will cancel eachother out.
You will notice that the cable is once again straight and untwisted. Why? Because you didn't twist it when you coiled it!

Rips method works ok, because the cable isn't too long and he is able to continuously twist the loose end. Also, if he is consistent the cable will have a bit of twist always in the same direction, and the coiling will be easier.

But it doesn't make sense to roll up a cable as it would be an a rotating reel, if you are not going to dispense it from a reel.

[Bradley Gish]

This reminds me of a couple years ago when my supervisor had to show me how to coil up a 100ft heavy duty hose. The method he taught me was to first, stretch the hose all the way out( if possible), and drain all of the excess water out. Then you take the hydrant end and put your foot down on it. You then pick the hose up, and start twisting the slack out of it, while simultaneously using your foot to make neat layers of coil. Works pretty well.