How To Roll Up an Extension Cord!! CORRECTLY!!!

[@joes2362]

I was shown this method 30 years ago, and I am still using it. I see a lot of different methods at work with a lot of guys struggling to untangle the cord when stringing it out. Me, I plug it in and go for a walk to where I need the cord taking the 6 foot loop off as I walk. No tangles, no problems, plug in whatever I need.

[@tandemwings4733]

So.... You're laying a *LIVE* cable? NOT REAL SMART!!

[@lizzyvillasana7181]

Thank you! I am 65 and finally have the perfect method to roll up and store my electric cords. Great video. Thank you for being so thorough in your "how to" explanation.

[@a.s.2457]

Hello Johnny, I learned this exact method nearly 30 years ago from a guy named Karl back when I lived in southern New Hampshire. Been doing it this way ever since. It's similar to the way you wrap a climbing rope. Or a lifeline when your on a roof. A tip to tell people when you finish the last loop would be to tell people "put tail to tail, that gives you the wrapping loop". Also you should tell people to start with the female end of the cord, that way when they roll out the next day, they have the plug end to start with. Another thing to tell people would be that if they do it right you should be able to throw it and it will come out straight every time if you train your cord this way. God Bless bro. Jesus loves you man!

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

Thank you. Remember to Subscribe !!!

[@1JasonBradly]

Totally agree, in fact I was taught this method by my dad 50 years ago. I have been in residential construction for over 40 years now and my cords have never shown signs of twisting (unless someone else wrapped them poorly) and yes you can throw them out to a straight line. And yeah, ALWAYS wrap from the female end, for many reasons. lol, I still run cords (on the job site) that my father used. They must be more than 30 years old by now.

[@briseboy]

Beautiful Johnny! EERY rock climber/mountaineer and sailor does it this way. There is a concept called the "lay" of the line which they know about, the odd twists occurring when one doesn't restore the line to its natural lay (especially in stiff, cold, days with electrical wire (the internal wires have a long twist, which creates the lay in extension cords, while the weave of ropes does the same), cause tangling force. By spreading the arms with loose hand, and by quick almost automatic choosing of the natural nontwisted loop to the coil, preserves and restores that natural lay. Sometimes, when rope or xt cords have been used in a fashion that requires a repeat or two of the spread in order to untwist toward the uncoiled end, it is worth repeat to remove the incipient twist. Soon, even cold old lines return to natural ease of manipulation.. So everyone just learned a skill useful for at least three trades, only one of which makes you seasick. Thanks Johnny!

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

Your very Welcome. Thanks for the kind comments. Remember to Subscribe!!!

[@bassboostey9424]

This guy majored in wrapping extension cords

[@PoL2118]

I worked in drywall and this is the way I learned to roll up a cord. Also if you leave it in the sun for a while it gets soft and then you roll it up from one end, but from then on always roll from the same end you rolled from when you let it sit in the sun. You are actually training the cord to roll the same every time. I have seen people try to roll one of my cords from the opposite end it was trained from and it doesn`t work well. I have had cords last for many years from doing this, cuz the other will bind the chords in little places and you get a bunch of small twists that won't come out and it becomes a true mess and unusable in my opinion. Good vid man.

[@MrDeaweber]

That's a legitimate method and I'm not saying it's wrong, but I don't like putting my larger 12 Guage (expensive) cords into any kind of small loops if I can help it. I roll em up into clean loops like you did with the loop size depending upon the cord length and then to combat the hanging troubles you mentioned I either use a small length of rope or a bungy rather than the cord itself to secure the loops and hang them up on a hook. Not much difference but my 12 - and 14 gauge cords just don't like the smaller tight turns your method requires. For the lighter duty cords everyone seems to have I like what you showed = thanks for sharing man.

[@Cruderacing]

As a +35yr contractor who uses ext cords every day I can appreciate the need to correctly put away your cords. All my guys learn this technique. I have a 40+yr old cord that works and looks fine because I always wrapped it up like this. Great to see I'm not alone, well done

[@emiliaescobar7652]

Just came across this in 2021, what a fantastic/simple video, great idea!!

[@stateniland]

With a new cord how do you get that memory so it doesn't twist while wrapping?

[@contraband1543]

@@stateniland Leave it stretched out in the sun

[@stateniland]

@@contraband1543 Did that... Lets see you wrap the hose while it is still attached to the house. TY

[@jeffeverde1]

If you're not doing over/under loops, then you're causing the wires to twist inside the outer jacket. In your final "this is the right way" example, you put 16 twists in the cord. When you unroll the cord, you have to undo all those twists to make the cord lay flat. And eventually you're going to end up with the same kinky cord that the elbow wrap causes. Making the large loops causes the inner wires to become twisted less quickly than doing the elbow wrap - but with time, you're still going to end up with a kinky cord that won't lay flat.

[@klauswigsmith]

Suffice to say extension cords suck, no matter how you roll them up. Cordless tools FTW!

[@johnjacobjinglehimerschmid3555]

@@klauswigsmith Can't argue there Klaus. However, his over / over method I feel the same as Jeffe .... it introduces twisting into the line in general. I find that when someone has used my stuff 1) most are too stupid to even put a thought into how to wrap up a cord 2) I generally need to take them out lay them in the sun and get them nice and warm to help relieve tension from the over / over wrapper or God forbid the elbow wrapper 3) wrap them over / under Even though I like the over/under method I still can't simply toss a cord out and expect that it's going to simply unwind neatly I've gotton over my impatientness in this aspect and lay out the cord by walking it out. I've tried the weaving and it's more hassle IMO when it's laying inside a truck bed with crap ton of other stuff it's easy to to snag. I Do like his final wrap tho. will have to incorporate this into my regimine

[@tsot9837]

I worked construction with a guy who was part of a road crew for a band and he showed me the over under method for cords. I later joined a band and was using the over under method and the sound man was impressed I new how to properly wind up his cords.

[@fmphotooffice5513]

The longer it is, the more this guy gets twisted. Over/under is called the "roady wrap". You'll get some mean looks if you wind an expensive loooooong microphone cable like in this video. Also, before the invention of Velcro you very simply cut a 3 foot chunk of clothesline, tie it in the center around the AC drop or mic cord at the plug end (so it's out of your way while in use). Then roady wrap the cable, wind the clothesline chunk a couple of turns on each side of the knot, and tie it like a shoe, simple.

[@jontnoneya3404]

Stupid roadies popularized the over/under BS. It doesn't prevent twist, it still adds twist it's just slightly easier to manage at the expense of more difficulty in unwinding. Also roadies just LOOOOOVE to blame the wrapping and storage method for cables that have worn out and are faulty at the connections but the cables are still good to go. Stop listening to roadies on how to wrap cables.

[@bdbailey9225]

Good job, Johnny. I'm a tradesman and hear you on your pet peeves! I usually told my boys I'd roll my cords up, thanks. Unless I had somebody who "got it". I want to add something you were doing but didn't mention, as it is the real key to this method. The half-twist. Every time you do another loop one must also let the cord or rope do a natural half-twist, and if done, a rope, line or cord will play out smoothly. You CAN throw it. Which is why this method is the way the old sailors coiled their lines and sheets to the sails. It's also why that over the elbow is hell on a cord too. The cord is actually three or four different wires ganged together in the exterior sleeve. Wrapping it over the elbow does not allow the cord to rotate naturally as it's being wound, resulting in the internal wires getting twisted together in an unruly mess after a short while of being wound up that way. And yes, screw that daisy-chain mess. Why would I want that thing strewn all over the back of my van!?! It will get snagged on everything around it! It follows the law which is an extension of Murphy's Law I call 'String Theory'- Any string, line, cord, wire, rope, cable or hose that can become snagged on absolutely anything, absolutely will. Corollaries- 1)Unless you want it too. 2)If nothing else is available, it will snag itself on itself, given the slightest chance. BTW, I do something similar, but I liked your wrap at the end. I like the tidy hanging loop better than the way I've been doing it. I'm going to subscribe, Johnny. You seem to know what you're talking about and I'll back ya up when I can. I have been working with my hands and my head for 51 years and at this point I have remember what I know sometimes!!

[@John-tv9ep]

I like it your way was a lot better then I was 😅. doing thanks for the tip

[@SlimSh8E]

I agree with you generally but I use velcro instead of looping the cable around itself. I find that those small tight loops will have a memory and tend to cause the cord to no lay flat, especially after being stored a long time. The other thing is that when you are coiling it up I like to have the cord laid out the full length and straight so that the twists will simply cause the cord to roll over and not cause the twists to become incorporated in the cord. If you coil it up with a birdsnest on the ground the twists cannot unwind. Good video!

[@shion_lwn]

i bought a house and never had to deal with any tools and cords before.. and I always had hard time with winding cords and got frustrated cuz they twist so much lol thank you for your video. it is very helpful.

[@michaelcolloton6971]

GREAT video!. I've bee doing this with twisted line and extension cords for decades. One thing you forgot to mention is that lines and cords have a certain way they want to coil. The easiest way to figure it out is to loosely hold the cord with your hands at least 3 feet apart. Bring your hands together and the cord will tell you which way it wants to go. In this single case, the extension cord is smarter than you are.

[@g4l430]

I totally agree with your comment. I only watched this video to figure out how to overcome the memory in the cord. The method shown only works if the cord let's it. You have to compensate by altering the length and some cords show no respect regardless of what you do.

[@dharwood2727]

Finally, finally, finally, I have over 25 years as an educator in the entertainment industry. I have spent hundreds of hours retraining students how to coil cables. I'm retired, but man I wish I'd had this when I was teaching, 'cuz we all know if its on KZbin then it must be true. I'm sure most of my students thought I just had OCD issues, but there are other reasons to do it this way, beyond what you shared. Most importantly your cables/cords are going to last longer. Wrapping them around your arm actually damages the cord. The next most important, especially for the stage, is that cables will lay flat when properly coiled. If not they will almost always present a trip hazzard. Thanks again Johnny for an excellent video!!!

[@popeye6584]

I am really surprised at your response given your background. If this gentleman wrapped a cable like that on a film set or show stage he would be asked to leave and spend a couple of hours learning and practicing how to "over-under" a cable. If he threw that cable it would land with a hundred trip hazard loops. The cable life is shortened by that technique too. Respectfully, I am going to assume that you did not notice that every loop was added in the same direction (say nothing of the stress inducing nonsense at the end) because it would be very disappointing to learn that an entertainment industry educator spent 25 years promoting a bad habit.

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

Your very welcome D Harwood

[@oisiaa]

This is also a good workout for your shoulders, especially with a heavy 100' cord.

[@wkeil1981]

Yah good way to destroy your rotator cuff

[@mybrotherkeeper1484]

Lol

[@1JasonBradly]

Totally agree, in fact I was taught this method by my dad 50 years ago. I have been in residential construction for over 40 years now and my cords have never shown signs of twisting (unless someone else wrapped them poorly) and yes you can throw them out to a straight line. And yeah, ALWAYS wrap from the female end, for many reasons. lol, I still run cords (on the job site) that my father used. They must be more than 30 years old by now. They were quality cords back then and still to this day.

[@raymondholsemback7673]

I use a technique also, the only thing is there is a stress point where you hang the last loop through on a hook. But other than that I love it.

[@elektrikman8834]

every one that came on my job got this lesson on cord winding I have been doing it all my electrical years thanks for putting this out there ......nothing worse than a cord with a bunch of memory knots in them

[@tomj528]

Dude, the end part is SO bad for your cord! You're using a rope coiling technique on a cord, very bad Juju. I coil my extension cords with the same 6' wingspan loops but over and under coils so it doesn't twist, then plug the ends together and use a velcro strap around the cord to keep it all together. When I'm loading/unloading tools I just put the entire coiled cord over my head and under my arm like a sash and I've still got both arms free to carry whatever else I need. The same technique can be used on tool cords as well...smaller over and under coils and the same velcro straps which come on rolls and are very inexpensive.

[@fred133a]

I was a DJ for years and I to use the over and under coils so it doesn't twist. I do use smaller loops so the cables will fit in the box. You can throw the cable across the room and NO TWIST, it will lay flat. There is also a natural coil in cords, cable, and rope. If you follow the natural coil in what you are using, it will always lay flat,

[@tomj528]

@@fred133a I learned this technique from a DJ! For years I tried to figure out the best way to store cords, checking out all sorts of gadgets and gizmos but none seemed right. This is the best way hands done and no expensive accessories needed other than the velcro strap which are about 6 cents each. I've got every single cord in my life perfectly wrangled and it's so easy, twist and tangle free.

[@MrDeaweber]

@@tomj528 yes its true a small length of rope works also - this guys pretty cool and his way does work fine with the lightweight homeowner cords most of the people watching this video likely have and I can tell you from a neighbor who uses that exact technique = it isn't breaking his light duty cords down.

[@tomj528]

@@MrDeaweber I've seen enough lightweight cords to know that that's not true. It may take longer with smaller gauge wire and with less use that homeowner's typically have but it still isn't good for the cords. Once twisted and kinked, they never get back to normal.

[@barrygattenhof9903]

@@tomj528 spot on mate. Got sick of telling idiots who know it all how to roll up their cables so i just gave up. You can't put brains into rocks. Some of those idiots tried to roll up my cable a few times years later and were shocked when they were hit with a lightweight object and told to leave it alone or i would break their fingers. My nephew is an arborist and he loops his ropes a way that does not tangle for storage. He also does not roll cable any way but how you have explained and i have done it that way for the best part of my 65yrs.

[@MrAllan9]

He did the second way all wrong, and it's the best way I've seen so far, not critizing, he saw people doing it wrong. There is a 'farmer Jay' video that does a great job explaining the procedure.

[@tomj7461]

My Dad was a builder and always coiled his extension cords around his arm, then got frustrated because it never uncoiled easily. I coiled it so the cord twisted naturally with no knots. With the male end left over, I doubled it over and wrapped it around to a loop as Johnny just did in the video. Now he could grab the plug and toss the rest of the cord. I was a teenager then ( about 50 years ago ), and still remember my Dad's guffaw of surprise and then showing it to all his buddies. It seemed to me a better way. I still coil them that way.

[@hmtrimworks7148]

Use alternating over and under loops… That is every second loop twist before grabbing with your other hand… This way it will never tangle when unwrapping… You can even hold one end and throw it and it will not tangle.

[@bellazuniga993]

You put a twist in with each 6 ft. loop. If you alternate each of those loops with a rotation or your hand as you place that section onto the top of your coil. The balance of your routine , I like. Coiled thousands of long halyards and lines on sailboats.

[@TiRider66]

This is what Johnny failed to mention. It is the key.

[@jazrobean1]

Nice presentation - - - This is what is taught in the Merchant Marine. Clarification: 1. You were holding the main loops in your left hand and winding COUNTER-CLOCKWISE with your left - - which IS the way to coil most extension cords BECAUSE INSIDE THE WIRE THEY ARE LEFT-HAND LAY. 2. If you are winding WELDING CABLE - - you wind it CLOCKWISE, because inside the wires are RIGHT-HAND LAY. - - - - - Winding in the direction of the lay reduces stress and kinking of the wires and EXTENDS LIVE OF THE CORD. Thanks again for a good presentation. Making a chain or wrapping around your arm tends to break (stress) small wires inside. Also works with hoses, MOST of which are right-hand lay.

[@curtnicholson7771]

That's usually the way I do it, but it depends on who your working for. My one boss wanted the done with the loop pulled thru the loop method and then we just thru them in the back of the truck on top of a tarp covering the tools so it would not blow off. I know that you can take chords rolled up in that method and they will kinda coil up and store in a five gallon bucket easily also.

[@rodneycorless5168]

Thanks Johnny, I'm going to use that method. A word of advice for everyone when rolling up a cord, let the cord take its natural turn to the front or back of the loop when rolling it up. This helps when unraveling the cord, it helps in keeping it from knotting up.

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

Your very Welcome. Remember to Subscribe!!!

[@Doomzdayxx]

This is a much better idea than some people that I see braiding the cord up just because it looks cool. This way, with the long loops is much easier when working in cold temperatures and I believe increases the life of extension cords.

[@jordanrivers9727]

I daisy chained my cords. It's not hard to do and it just lays on the ground. Perfect for my use.

[@davedeslauriers2889]

Now there is someone who knows how to roll a cord. Great video. Around the arm leads to twisted extensions and in the long run, broken insulation.One comment about the finishing touch. It works great with lighter cords but is difficult with 12 and 10 gauge three conductor extension cords. I use straps with Velcro with a hole for hanging them that works well on heavier cords. You can find these at hardware stores.

[@marcmyaer2784]

Scott, you nailed it!!! I too, am commenting on it? Ive used every rolling method for cords and hoses and they all end up tangled!! ive got to go find something to do! paint drying is always fun!

[@bobluhrs]

This is great. I don't usually hang cords, just put them on shelves or into bags, but I do use the spread arms method, this tying up at the end part is really cool.

[@mojodojo5533]

This just made my day! I just paused the video went out in the garage and rewrapped by two chords. Thx!

[@jmac88022]

I used to do tree work before I became a carpenter. That's how we wrapped our ropes. I've wrapped my electric chords like that ever since. It's faster and it keeps your ropes or chords relaxed 🇺🇸

[@Jeff82556]

Just curious what kind of music did you get out of those "chords"?

[@blakehauge33]

Yea go Dave Staats. You are so correct. When rolling up a cord of significant length correctly you make the firs loop as most people normally do and as shown by Johnny in the above video. But the second loop you want to turn your wrist to lay the next loop above your wrist and hand, the third loop your wrist and hand ar above the loop as your oppisite hand grasps the loop, and the next is back to your hand and wrist being under the cord as you grasp the loop. This is as Dave calls the under over method. You ask why? With a cord rolled this way, you can grasp the end of the cord you started with being held in your non-dominate hand, and throw the entire looped cord in the direction you wish the other end to be and it will come completely out with no or at least very few snags. I like Dave worked in stage and television production for many years, That was long before wireless mikes and video camera connections. Now finishing up making the hanging loop the way Johnny did it is fine for electrical cord or rope. For electronic mike & camera cable it is better to use a velcro tape fastener going around the plug ends ( which we always plugged into each other first) and if you were worried about inter-looping with other cables, put a second velcro tape fastener on the opposite side of the loop from the connectors. Time is money; and saves frustration trying to un-knot those loops.

[@mookeythepimpthompson6031]

I had an electrician friend who taught me how to wrap it up this exact way. He passed away a few months ago and watching this reminded me so much of him. Ty for the upload my man. 👍

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

Your very welcome Mookie

[@BS-tn5zw]

Johnny's Tips a mi

[@Tommo44]

Thanks man, I admit I was the guy using the second method you showed, and I did think it was pretty good! Until you showed us this way. I like it a lot. Cheers

[@anton1483]

Just watched today 1/6/20. Thanks for the great information video Johnny! Exactly how I have always done mine(this much easier/better/faster way) @work & home. I have been in construction pretty much my whole life. So you can just imagine what "messes" of cords I've seen with people trying to be cute or just didn't know HOW.👍🏼

[@eugeneheuschel9539]

You just saved me hours of frustration. Here in the Pacific Northwest it gets extremely cold at times and crooked and twisted cords are a problem. No longer. Thank you.

[@richp5321]

I also HATE!!!! When people roll up their cords like the second version you showed. I was taught your version and it by far is the best.

[@shadad7774]

for your cute Xmas tree/homeowner little cords that hangs on a hook in your garage and not on a job site truck that's fine, don't try that with my 100' 8g or 10g construction cords.. the chain style you started to show (though improperly) was close, run it in quarter (end to end x 2 = 4 strands in hand making it 25' then chain it, that's proper for real equipment - homeowner/handy husbands...do what you want

[@eugeneheimann3188]

Good man , I’ve been looping up all my cords for over fourth years that way , except in my six foot length I half turn the cord with my fingers to help make that loop , it loops so much easy,re , and it alway stay straight , never coils up , and stays flat on the ground or floor , very important on a job site , you ever trip on someone’s coiled up crap! I have no fun! Thanks for putting this out there! Names. Eugene and I’ve been an electrician with Tesla!

[@LooneyDad3]

I've been teaching that to my helpers for years. Thank you. Also, you may want to do one on rolling up garden hoses. If you lay the hose on the ground or in the bed of your truck in a figure 8, it will not kink, especially when unrolling it. The natural motion of the figure 8 keeps it from kinking. Nothing worse than a kinky hose, Ha. You can then do up the end similar to your drop cord or any way you like.

[@kennethholland8297]

I was raised in the construction business first woorking as a kid for my dad a building contractor. I got to do all the peon work. He did teach me the easist and best way to roll up an extention cord. This way it won't kink up as you are rolling it. First stretch either end out away from you till the cord is stretched out all the way. This method will work on garden hoses also. Pick up either end and start rolling like you did but stand in one spot and pull the cord to you. As the cord is being rolled up, the other end will unwind. This gets the kinks out of the cord as you roll it up. Never roll a cord up walking to the end, pull the cord to you.

[@jlippencott1]

Absolutely WRONG! You're still going to wind up with a tangled mess most of the time and wind up breaking the inner wires eventually. You're killing your cord slowly. Also, "Training" a cord is for ropes, not for electrical cables. Extension cords, audio cables, coax cables, ethernet cables, and all such cables MUST be wound straight on to a spool or, if done by hand, with the over/under technique if you want to be using them for a long time. Any twist you impart to the inner conductors with this kind can change the impedance of cables like coax, break the inner conductors of other types, and affect the performance of your gear.

[@TheLayinLo]

Joseph Lippencott is absolutely correct. I couldnt have said it better myself.

[@natural-born_pilot]

How can you tell that the inner wires are breaking their wrapped and you can’t see them??

[@jlippencott1]

D. Geo Same way you can’t tell if your engine bearings are shot by looking at the motor.

[@natural-born_pilot]

Joseph Lippencott wrong absolutely wrong with an engine you’ll have more than one way to let you know your bearing is shot, knocking, engine overheating, vibration etc... with cord your inner wires are wrapped or covered over with the outer covering.. you can’t see your wires breaking unless it fails. How many broken copper wires in the inside does it take to completely fail??

[@robertknight1127]

@@natural-born_pilot You could break all of them and still not have it completely fail, but when the cord bends at certain angles and spots it will affect things. Resistance will go up. Yes you can't see it by looking at it, which was Joseph's point.

[@Ratboy2004]

I roll up the cord the way it was made. Start with plug ends together, then end to end, end to end, in half each time. I like how you wrap it. Nice add.

[@scottpeszko1491]

I bought a cordless extension cord by Tesla so I don't have that problem but I will use your technique until I run out of old cords.

[@jimzimmerman5288]

Chaining the cord is a good way because it never gets tangled and you don't have to undo the whole cord to use just some of it. Your idea is good for the homeowner with the 16/3 type cords.

[@simonwright7858]

I wouldn't be happy putting that much stress/weight on the last loop. Too many people forget that you've got to protect the wires inside the insulation from being stretched, pinched, etc.

[@joe91170]

I got like this wheel thing, you put one end of the ext. Cord on a clip on the inside and then you like turn this handle and it like rolls the cord on it. I got it at target, it's like really nice, pretty cheap to. And then we lay them in these containers that gallon jugs come in. They're real handy.

[@Stevie671]

I stick a large empty tin over the nail on the wall and hang the coil over that.The curve won't stress the lead and there is no kinking.Stole the idea from someone.(I think it was a rocket scientist.)

[@BS-tn5zw]

Lî l

[@ronniechilds2002]

Good point.

[@sylviabuker7678]

Thank you sir. I have been doing this wrong for many decades. Great content.

[@bobgreene2892]

One suggestion for your extension cord video-- move the camera much closer to yourself, and fill the frame. Your explanation about wrapping the last loop around the bunch of cord loops will be easier to follow visually.

[@jimthompson3030]

wonderful video this also works well on garden hoses in warm weather!!! THANK YOU..

[@jimmy5F]

The roadies who work for rock groups alternate the direction of the loops, so the cords will unroll easily without twisting.

[@justforever96]

Um...how does that work? I can't see how that would work without leaving a mess of confused loops more likely to twist up.

[@jms_wttrs9228]

@@justforever96 - Basically mountain coiling.. used for ropes during mountaineering missions... rappeling, search and rescue ... I am sure can find with a google search.

[@WJV9]

Yes, it's the same way that cowboys wrap up a lariat so that when they throw it, there are no coils in the rope. Works great for electronic mic or instrument cables to keep from getting kinks or knots in the cable when its unwound. Check on lariat coiling or microphone cable or instrument cable coiling or wrapping.

[@woodhandjrable]

Can you make a hoe to video of the roadies technique Its still raining over here i need another laugh

[@jfratis9081]

No they don't do that, not with power cables that is. This is a fairly common misconception. Cables that are coiled Over-Under are signal wires. They carry sound and video. Power carrying cable is ALWAYS coiled clockwise Over-Over and tied. This is industry standard.

[@tonygville2969]

Having worked in the hotel convention industry for many years, I prefer the in and out as you roll the cable. Audio, video, data and lighting cable should always be rolled in and out. Never get tangled up and in that business time is everything. Can't be wasting time untangling cable during a event. It has always been good for me. 😎

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

I’ve working in the same industry and yes the over under method is the correct way to roll up low voltage cords. This protects the tiny strands from tearing. Also, you can throw the cord out and it will slide out nicely. Extension cords won’t slide on grass or gravel. Extension cords are made with bigger copper strands and are not at risk from tearing if you don’t use the over under method. I’ve been doing this for years with no issues hanging them in vans and trailers while they bounce around on the way to the job site.

[@val13c59]

They also sell rings for extension cord rolls to hang up on walls. Without putting that pull stress on the chord.

[@ngzcaz]

Done this a thousand times with a little variation but essentially the same result. Please note this doesn't guarantee that your line will not become knotted ( especially on a long ( 75 to 100 ft 6 gauge line ) when unraveling it. Now THAT would be a fantastic video.

[@ngzcaz]

Edit..... 16 gauge, not 6 gauge line

[@reubprue8602]

They teach that in lineman school. But we do that with rope not wire. Copper, the more you bend it the more brittle it becomes so don't expect your cords to last as long.

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

That cheap orange cord in the vid has been with me for the past 8 years. I have others that are older.

[@kdanagger6894]

@@JohnnysTipsandTricks Years means little - it's the number of times the cable has been wound, flexed, etc. I guarantee you that if you treated most any electrical cable this way every single day, it would fail LONG before 8 years had past. It's what you are doing to it that is killing it, not how long it has been sitting unused on the shelf.

[@alankjkj1]

I like the way you finished your cord. I do it a little different every OTHER arm length I twist it in as I bring it up to the hand holding the looped cord. Then I reach down to the bottom of the loop to start again. It might not look pretty but it will never get tangled.

[@stever2583]

Ryan is right... Loop one, then reverse the loop and add it - then repeat . " sound tech's loop" never tangles!

[@davealley2761]

"Over-under". Learned it from a stage hand at church.

[@bpsitrep]

Good method!! Sound method too. I just watched another guy who did a recent video using that twisty loopy method-not practical in long run. I like your way of making a loop to hang the cords.

[@puzby5482]

I wouldn't call his method terrible, but it is far from the best. My preferred method is to wind from the middle. This leaves the ends readily available. That way, if I do not need the whole cord I can unwind only as much as I need.

[@dokbob5795]

Surely extension cords should not be left coiled as the heat generated is concentrated. Cords should always be uncoiled.

[@johnm.9989]

Nice job. My dad taught me to do it this way when I was a kid. Great explanation.

[@SaucyTreasures]

The final loop is now bearing the weight of the entire coil, so isn't that defeating your purpose?

[@beeeee459]

AMEN BROTHER! FINALLY, someone who knows how to roll up a cord!!!!! I've seen the other videos on the "chain method" that's a shitty way.(worked on a crew that did that in my younger years...UGHH). Winding it around your forearm turns a 100 ft. cord into a basketball... sucks too; good luck trying to unwind that in cold weather. People don't understand it when I tell them NOT to roll up the cords and just let me do it...rather than go into a story about the pros and cons of cord storage with someone who ultimately doesn't give a #@%& about my extension cords is pointless. Winding a cord up like a climbing rope is the BEST method. I've been winding cords up as part of my profession for 35 years now... THANKS for the video!!

[@edvisser7808]

Bollocks! That's no different than rolling it on your arm,after a couple of times like that it will coil around it's self and get Knotted. The only way is to do a FIGURE 8 on yourarm ,just thro it in the direction you want it'll Never twist on it's self again. Maybe i should also make a 20min Utub vid and get rich.its the only way MAN.ps my banking details R .........

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

AMEN!!! Remember to Subscribe !!!

[@knotbumper]

40 years in the electrical construction industry, any cord you can hand coil you do similar to what he does in his video but you finish with a quick wrap of tape you carry in your pocket. Like he says, you start coiling with the female end so when you flake the cord out you have the female end and the remaining cord at the work area. anything over #8-4, you roll up on a reel. especially the 4/0-4 baloney cord. Any person that can coil up even 50 feet of that is not a person to mess with...

[@scottcrowley2061]

Or any person that can afford it...

[@johnzavatsky8829]

knotbumper o

[@evdm7482]

nice, I tie my boat lines with the same end result but the way you tied it off at the end is so much more simple.

[@kylecrossley511]

I do the Over Then Under style...basically a constant in the figure 8 algebraic equation if you will.

[@acefekay4378]

I agree alternating each loop overhand and underhand. This way it doesn't unbind when tossing it. As for the end loop, I would double it up to reduce the tension on the line your hanging all that weight on.

[@kdanagger6894]

Figure 8 is the ONLY proper way. Professional cable handlers know this. It totally prevents the cord from becoming twisted. Any technique where a cable is constantly wound in one direction will result is a twisted cable.

[@DotNetProductions1]

@@kdanagger6894 Exactly. This video was an OK way to roll cable. But the Over Under is the proper way to keep my 10 year old cables acting like the day I purchased them.

[@AnthonyDibiaseIdeas]

Thank you. What you show is the absolute best way to roll a cord. It might also be the best way to coil most kinds of rope. It would be great to hear what experienced climbers think.

[@silverhorse98]

Yes, yes, yes. I have wrapped my extension cord like this for decades. My husband does the around the arm thing and the cord ends up in a twisted mess. He thinks his way is great. It takes me a good 20 minutes to unwind and straighten out the cord before I can use it for a ten minute job.

[@natural-born_pilot]

Lynn Linkletter Imbeau That’s not what hubby says totally the other way around.

[@garylivingston9052]

this is the way that i have always done it also, always one direction (clockwise for me) with the loop on the end to hang nicely. Also will throw out nice and evenly. i always lay them out straight on a nice warm day to try to get the memory back from a messed up cord..Thanks!

[@kup1954]

Great to wrap a rope this way, not good practice with electrical cords, be it extension cords or sound cables. You must use the "over and under" technique to avoid metal fatigue in the wires.

[@gregflores8959]

kup1954 Ex-Tree Trimmer here, you are correct, this is how I learned from my father how to wrap ROPES,wouldn’t recommend this method for much else.

[@justforever96]

Seems to me that all of your complaints center around his use of the wrap and loop and the end, not the way he actually rolled the cord up. It would be easy to modify it, if you actually cared about that sort of thing (I've never had any problem). That doesn't mean that you must totally discard the whole idea and go back to wrapping it around your arm and making it all twisted and full of loops. How is that better for the cord? Getting all twisted into knots and kinked every time you try to undo it? Too many "experts" always ready to ruin everything. I wouldn't be afraid to do what he shows here at all, unless it was a cord that I ran a lot of power through.

[@gregflores8959]

William Walker You just joined the list of “ experts” complaining, seems to me you are “ afraid “ to do quite a few things except of course taking the time to bitch about things, please STFU.

[@para-cad_llc]

Always roll up cords starting from the female end...............so that the next day you start with the male end at the power source and you can route your cord to your work area. ALWAYS DRAG THE CORD THROUGH YOUR HAND TO FEEL FOR NICKS OR FRAYS....cord inspection will keep you from OSHA fines. Great video.

[@randyscott3386]

Broken glass on the ground, splinters, metal shavings , it's going to be all over the extension cord and when you go to roll it up and you don't pay attention to it that stuff is going to be stuck in your hand . Be cautious ! Use a rag, or gloves . Keep your cords clean . P.S. The strung out loop de loop is becoming known as the cluster XXXX of chaos . Great Video !

[@bettykrocker9088]

randy scott ...rolled up a cord after electricians core bored a walker duct. Metal debris on the extension cord cut my finger to the bone. Out of work 6 weeks with nerve and finger reconstruction.

[@robertcombs5640]

This technique used to be a huge deal in studio and live audio. When I learned it was called "over & under" at a comfortable arms length but we used zip ties at the end to secure and store. The great thing was that when "loading in" to the studio or venue you could secure one end and throw the entire cable with no tangles whatsoever.

[@robertcombs5640]

Yep I got the same impression watching his technique. To be honest I always use over/under & it's very difficult to keep large extension cords for years without some twisting or defects. But it's a good practice and it does help with longevity.

[@rickyparr8001]

Thank you,i waste half my energy fighting with very long extension cords.I shall incorporate this (your) technique into my life.I really appreciate your wisdom brother.

[@jeffwhite2080]

When you transfer the cable to the left hand, rotate your right hand so that the back of your hand meets the front of your left hand. It makes a funky looking coil but if you throw the cable on the ground and walk away with an end it doesn't twist or tangle. The wires inside don't twist either. This works extremely well for air hoses as well. I'm not crazy about the way you wrap it at the end but at least it is hung up.

[@jamesnungary3514]

I've always braid my cords I double them up if you know how to do it right first when you call the cord it gets twisted inside not good

[@rileygrier9923]

Video starts at 1:40. Excellent video!!!

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

Thank you. Remember to Subscribe !!!

[@michaelzimmerman8959]

I've been a tree trimmer for the power company and that's how I wrap my ropes

[@SCOTTHUFF]

Carpenter of 45 years and I use much heavier cords in the field and I have always chained them and either threw them in th back of the truck or hung them on hooks on the lumber rack. The benefit to chaining is they don’t tangle when in a pile and you can either roll them out the same way you chained them or hook them on a ball hitch and pull them loose. But that’s a cool way to deal with them.

[@davesmale6792]

Thos is exactly the way I have rolled up my cords for years... with 1 improvement (in mind anyways). Put the 2 ends together first, then wind it up as described. 1/2 as many loops. 1/2 as much work, 1/2 as much time. Boom!

[@nancykurpaitis7928]

LOVE THIS TECHNIQUE!!! ALSO, using the old arm method makes it HEAVY!!!!!

[@d.nicely]

Holding a cloth in your right hand as you loop will wipe off the cord in same motion.

[@Thomas-ts2gl]

One thing to add..Unplug first. I seen cords rolled up back to where it is plugged in. If there is a bad spot in the cord..you might find it while rolling it up..good video..

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

Thanks. Remember to Subscribe !!!

[@ManInTheBigHat]

Isn't that a lot of weight/stress on that one little loop you hang it with? I guess it depends on the length.

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

i've been doing this for years with no issues. From 25' cords to 100'.

[@Euphroe]

ManInTheBigHat - Is absolutely correct! Many tradesmen used to do any variation of the methods demonstrated here. The smart ones have stopped doing any of these methods! If you do not like longevity in the life of your extension cords - by all means take your pick...! Using any method... winding cord tightly around the forearm or any other constricting or tight bending method puts undue stress in the conductors and work hardens them, shortening their servicable life dramatically! Any time you flex a metal, hard plastic or any other rigid/semi-rigid material, it work hardens and becomes brittle. It cracks and breaks! After many repetitions the copper strands begin to get micro-fissures (reducing ampacity) and break inside. You cannot tell that this is happening until they overload due to fractured or broken strands of copper and burn out. True, it may be months or more before that happens but why not protect you investment? Heavy copper cords are expensive. Large loose coils that alternate the "in-front" and "behind" coiling method places NO Stress on the conductors and yet still allows the cord to store flat and pay out with no kinks. Do it this way and your cords will last decades! I have some over 40 years old... The coverings are very worn, but the conductors can still fully carry 15/20/30 Amps as applicable!

[@MrRustyDowell]

Each cord depending on length and quality is weight appropriate meaning the vinyl cover on an extension cord should handle the weight of the hanging cord with no problems

[@MyAnalogueWatch]

you're the crazy one dude. He just explained the difference between the different methods. Cant you read? One way stresses the wire inside..ie all the stuff in this video. Other ways are designed not to stress, and eventually damage, the cable inside.

[@mjt11860]

great tip, but what do u mean by "Large loose coils that alternate the "in-front" and "behind" coiling method places NO Stress on the conductors and yet still allows the cord to store flat and pay out with no kinks."?

[@roycarter6235]

I have been doing that for years........all except the last bit. I do something different. But!!! well done as lots of tradespeople have disasterous piles of extension cords.

[@raypalise4512]

being in the roady trade we loop 1 in and 1 backwards continue to the end this is done because you can throw it out without tangles cheers

[@tiki2950]

I always called that bullwhipping. Works quite well and never tangles. His way is wrong.

[@raypalise4512]

@@tiki2950 yes it is and you will get the sack for doin it ?

[@MusiqTruth]

Please narrate my life lol. This guy’s video is so down to earth and simple. Thank you!

[@JohnnysTipsandTricks]

Your very welcome Musiqtruth

[@fm00078]

SOOooo many ways to roll/wind up a long cord. But the Hanging Loop is really good finish. 1st - Stretch the cord out straight. 2nd - Remove all the twists from your cord. 3rd - Go to the cords middle and start winding it up anyway you wish, tight, loose, don't matter. What's going on? You're putting left AND right twists in your cord at the same time THUS canceling each other out out. Unload only as much as needed & you'll have 2 ends of equal lengths. TAH-DAH! ALL problems solved.... well except you still need to pay the elec bill. Then there's... HOWDY NEIGHBOR, CAN I BORROW...

[@SC4RP]

I built an Electric Ottoman. A milk crate bolted a bit of plywood on the bottom and added wheels. Then took a large plastic jug and bolted it to the middle inside. My first cord the male end I pulled through the side of the crate and then coiled the rest of my numerous cords around the jug in the center. The part that I had pulled through now went back in on top. The jug held all my plugs adapters and extension cords. I then built a box to cover the crate and padded and upholstered it. When i need to use the cords I take the lid off the portion I pulled through goes to the plug. The cord coiled inside goes to what ever tool I need. When I am don working put the cords back in crate put the lid on and put my feet up for a good rest.

[@Scott-fb8nf]

I just watched a video on how to roll up an extension cord properly...then i commented on it. I need a hobby.

[@timothyban8674]

Lol.... I was just thinking that same thing right after I was criticizing the video when braiding the cord is way easier....

[@timothyban8674]

Not sure of the name of the technique but braiding or looping the cords is way easier

[@tadslo3164]

@@timothyban8674 Rope chain. Life guards use them for life saver rings. But tried it on extension chord; chord is to stif for it to work properly.

[@jaycurtis3092]

Haha, me too! Looks like you've got a lot of company!

[@richardgrant5105]

Yes - I'm afraid I did too !!

[@jermodita]

Almost perfect. If you'll use the over/under right hand method that people (we) do in the music industry for xlr cables you can literally throw 100 feet of cord and it (almost) never tangles.

[@cgtotty]

I feel your pain Brother ! Those that don't understand haven't had to replace many cords twisted to the point of being useless or paid hands to untangle the cords they previously "rolled up" day after day after day .........

[@myreadingmapped]

I have a 50 foot heavy duty cord with a 3 receptacle female end on it and have done it this way but my cord close to the end twists into a figure 8 due to memory issues. I don't hang my cord on a hook because its way too bulky and instead lay it flat on a shelf in my cabinet with lots of other cords. To keep the cord from unraveling I use the end to the cord to wrap around the looped cord or use a long plastic zip tie and plug the male end into the female end.

[@donegee]

TAH DAH! Now I'm convinced that whenever I'm bored outta my mind I should re-roll my extension cords ... OR vacuum the carpets.

[@alwaysopen7970]

I am gonna unroll all of mine in the dead of winter, leave them out overnight and roll them up in the morning when they are stiff as a dead fish.

[@jaykeehan5813]

I make sure my shoelaces are exactly the same length on both sides.

[@GrowlyBear917]

Got a 100 foot FLAT 14-3 cord out of the neighbor's garbage. It was damaged by being run over with a mower. Cut the damaged part off and made a 90-foot extension out of it. I'm still using it 40 years later by using this technique. I even used the short piece and made an 8-footer for use behind the TV. Now that's recycling!!1!

[@spottracer]

As an electrician for over 30 years I don't see doing this with any electrical cords. The small radius will definitely shorten the life of the cord.

[@no_handle_required]

Guys who know how to wrap and store cords are tv and sound guys, media personnel. They know the right ways, and ways that don't cause unreasonable tension on the cable.

[@genehaddock543]

Rolling up is fine. However, never plug in and walk away as you unroll an electric cord. Unless you want to find out where the cord is uninsulated/cut.

[@AndreOutlaw]

So true. I always make the extra trip back to the garage to plug it in *after* I've unrolled it. Then I make a trip plug unplug it before I roll it up.

[@justforever96]

He didn't say to plug it in first. He just tossed the end down and unrolled the rest of it. Although it's just as easy to wear a pair of gloves and inspect the cord as you unwrap it before you touch each part. The danger is very minor. Although I am not at all opposed to making a trip back just to plug it in. You'd have to be lazy to badly want to avoid that. How long can you cord be, anyway? If you can't walk an extra couple hundred feet, I'm sorry for you.

[@christopherwade1101]

Thanks... A good way to hang power cords. I always alternate looping over then under to eliminate any tangling... This forms perfect coils with plugs at both top and bottom. Perfect along with your technique.

[@jonnychingas5757]

I've spend endless sleepless nights trying to figure out how to roll up my extension cord now I can sleep peacefully.

[@johnkeltner8911]

I was taught the loop within a loop and once you understand how to do it right its so much easier and faster then what you just showed. And it drops out much easier with one pull. But for the average everyday deet-dee-dee, you might wanna follow this guys method.