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Thread: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
user name
 2007-01-24 18:30:06 

  


  

    
Hey all,

This seems a wee bit off topic, but definitely relates to network 
operations (somewhere below layer 1) and I can't think of a better place 
to ask.

Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in the 
equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with 
some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that 
repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of string.  For some 
reason, I found this trick really cool.

I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard, I've seen 
it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had little luck.  I 
was wondering if any of the gurus out there would care to share what this 
knot-pattern is actually called, and/or if there's a (illustrated) howto 
somewhere?

-Dan "Tired of getting scratched up by jagged cable ties" Mahoney


--

--------Dan Mahoney--------
Techie,  Sysadmin,  WebGeek
Gushi on efnet/undernet IRC
ICQ: 13735144   AIM: LarpGM
Site:  http://www.gushi.org

---------------------------




  

  
  
   
     
    

  

    Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
  


  

     user name

     2007-01-24 18:49:43
  


  

    

  


  

    
Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:
>

> Hey all,
>
> This seems a wee bit off topic, but definitely relates to network 
> operations (somewhere below layer 1) and I can't think of a better 
> place to ask.
>
> Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in 
> the equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly 
> tied with some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot 
> pattern that repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of 
> string.  For some reason, I found this trick really cool.
>
> I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard, I've 
> seen it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had little 
> luck.  I was wondering if any of the gurus out there would care to 
> share what this knot-pattern is actually called, and/or if there's a 
> (illustrated) howto somewhere?
>
> -Dan "Tired of getting scratched up by jagged cable ties" Mahoney
>
>

Best site I have seen so far:
http://www.dairiki.org/hammond/cable-lacing-howto/


  

  
  
   
     
    

  

    Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
  


  

     user name

     2007-01-24 19:14:40
  


  

    

  


  

    
On Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 07:30:06PM -0500, Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:
> Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in the 
> equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with 
> some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that 
> repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of string.  For some 
> reason, I found this trick really cool.
> 
> I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard, I've seen 
> it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had little luck.  I 
> was wondering if any of the gurus out there would care to share what this 
> knot-pattern is actually called, and/or if there's a (illustrated) howto 
> somewhere?

>From your description, it sounds like you might be describing a series of
half hitches.  I don't know if it has a more specific title than that.  If
you wanted to create it on (say) a vertical bundle, you just pass the line
around the back of the bundle then put the working end between the line and
the bundle, and tighten by pulling away from the knots you've already tied. 
Repeat this over and over up (or down) the bundle to get your nice pattern
happening.

A benefit of this knot is that if you pull the working end towards the knots
you've already tied, the knot will slide back, so you can tie each knot
quickly then pull it back to the right position, so you get a nice even run
of loops.

You'll need to secure each end of the line with something that can stand
tension at a sharp angle.  A quick examination of pikiwedia's knots list
suggests something like an icicle hitch or rolling hitch, but they might be
a bit tricky to tie in tight spaces.  I've just tried two half hitches on a
broomstick and it doesn't hold too badly, but I wouldn't guarantee it'll be
safe long term.

As to the line to use, I'd imagine that an office supplies store would
probably have a range of possibilities.

- Matt

-- 
"I have a cat, so I know that when she digs her very sharp claws into my
chest or stomach it's really a sign of affection, but I don't see any reason
for programming languages to show affection with pain."
		-- Erik Naggum, comp.lang.lisp


  

  
  
   
     
    

  

    Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
  


  

     user name

     2007-01-24 19:25:40
  


  

    

  


  

    
On Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 07:30:06PM -0500, Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:

[...]
> I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with some sort of
> waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that repeated
> every six inches or so using a single piece of string.
[...] 
> I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard, I've
> seen it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had little
> luck. 

The kind my vendor was able to get was flat (not the normal stuff). As
far as I know, this stuff is usually surprisingly expensive and / or
comes in large cases. You might just see if the people at your colo can
give you a roll or two, or ask where they order theirs (last time I
asked, they bought it by the case).

I believe this is the stuff I have:
http://www.edmo.com/index.php?module=products&func=display&prod_id=20352

I got it from a local outfit (Danbru - http://danbru.com - great Socal
vendor) at ~ $35/roll, which seemed exorbitant to me.

w



  

  
  
   
     
    

  

    Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
  


  

     user name

     2007-01-24 19:40:35
  


  

    

  


  

    
On Wed, 24 Jan 2007, Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:

> equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with 
> some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that 
> repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of string.  For some 
> reason, I found this trick really cool.

It's called "lacing" and it's been used by telephone guys for ever.  Find 
an older guy and he can probably teach you. ;)

Try http://www.tecratools.com/pages/tecalert/cable_lacing.html  as a 
starter.



---
david raistrick        http://www.netmeister.org/news/learn2quote.html
draisatlasta.net             http://www.expita.com/nomime.html



  

  
  
   
     
    

  

    Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
  


  

     user name

     2007-01-24 19:43:31
  


  

    

  


  

    I order it from www.tecratools.com, you can also get the lacing needles and everything else you might need:

A somewhat decent resource:

http://www.tecratools.com/pages/tecalert/cable_lacing.html

Needles and lace:
http://www.tecratools.com/pages/telecom/cable_tools.html


I have seen some Qwest and BellSouth technical documents which go into a little more detail of how they expect it to be done, but go find someone who's done any kind of cabling in a CO and they can teach you 


--
Tim

On 1/24/07, William Yardley < nanogveggiechinese.net">nanogveggiechinese.net>; wrote:


On Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 07:30:06PM -0500, Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:

[...]
> I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with some sort of
> waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that repeated

> every six inches or so using a single piece of string.
[...]
> I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard, I've
&gt; seen it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had little

&gt; luck.

The kind my vendor was able to get was flat (not the normal stuff). As
far as I know, this stuff is usually surprisingly expensive and / or
comes in large cases. You might just see if the people at your colo can

give you a roll or two, or ask where they order theirs (last time I
asked, they bought it by the case).

I believe this is the stuff I have:

http://www.edmo.com/index.php?module=products&func=display&amp;prod_id=20352

I got it from a local outfit (Danbru - http://danbru.com - great Socal
vendor) at ~ $35/roll, which seemed exorbitant to me.


w




  

  
  
   
     
    

  

    Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
  


  

     user name

     2007-01-24 20:23:42
  


  

    

  


  

    
> Return-path: merit.edu>
> Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in the 
> equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with 
> some sort of waxed twine

it is called "laced."  very common among telephants.

when you leave the colo, you will only be known by your
cable dress.

randy



  

  
  
   
     
    

  

    Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
  


  

     user name

     2007-01-24 20:37:13
  


  

    

  


  

    
Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:
> Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in 
> the equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly 
> tied with some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot 
> pattern that repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of 
> string.  For some reason, I found this trick really cool.
As others have already indicated (and with some good links) it's cable 
lacing.


For how to's .. find anyone that has done a recognised apprenticeship in 
electrical, telecommunications, RF, or "multiskill" 
(electical/electromechanical/mechanical) and ask them to teach you (in 
this day and age of training courses, that probably means finding 
someone over the age of 35).  Also you could ask your friendly local 
full license, old school radio ham etc etc...  It's a dying skill, not 
because it isn't good, but because it takes training/practice and time.  
Tiewraps (Zip ties) are cheap, quick and require little (if any) training.


Regards,

Mat


  

  
  
   
     
    

  

    Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
  


  

     user name

     2007-01-24 20:39:36
  


  

    

  


  

    
Here's some nice lacing on our FLM150 rack:

http://fiveforty.net/mux/Picture_010.jpg
http://fiveforty.net/mux/Picture_013.jpg

On Wed, Jan 24, 2007 at 07:30:06PM -0500, Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:
> 
> Hey all,
> 
> This seems a wee bit off topic, but definitely relates to network 
> operations (somewhere below layer 1) and I can't think of a better place 
> to ask.
> 
> Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug in the 
> equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly tied with 
> some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping knot pattern that 
> repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of string.  For some 
> reason, I found this trick really cool.
> 
> I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard, I've seen 
> it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had little luck.  I 
> was wondering if any of the gurus out there would care to share what this 
> knot-pattern is actually called, and/or if there's a (illustrated) howto 
> somewhere?
> 
> -Dan "Tired of getting scratched up by jagged cable ties" Mahoney
> 
> --
> 
> --------Dan Mahoney--------
> Techie,  Sysadmin,  WebGeek
> Gushi on efnet/undernet IRC
> ICQ: 13735144   AIM: LarpGM
> Site:  http://www.gushi.org

> ---------------------------


  

  
  
   
     
    

  

    RE: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
  


  

     user name

     2007-01-24 21:22:53
  


  

    

  


  

    


 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-nanogmerit.edu [mailto:owner-nanogmerit.edu] On Behalf
Of
> Steve Rubin
> Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2007 4:50 PM
> To: nanogmerit.edu

> Subject: Re: Cable-Tying with Waxed Twine
> 
> 
> Dan Mahoney, System Admin wrote:
> >
> > Hey all,
> >
> > This seems a wee bit off topic, but definitely relates to network
> > operations (somewhere below layer 1) and I can't think of a better
> > place to ask.
> >
> > Upon leaving a router at telx and asking one of their techs to plug
> in
> > the equipment for me, I came back to find all my cat5 cables neatly
> > tied with some sort of waxed twine, using an interesting looping
knot
> > pattern that repeated every six inches or so using a single piece of
> > string.  For some reason, I found this trick really cool.
> >
> > I have tried googling for the method, (it's apparently standard,

I've
> > seen it in play elsewhere), and for the type of twine, but had
little
> > luck.  I was wondering if any of the gurus out there would care to
> > share what this knot-pattern is actually called, and/or if there's a
> > (illustrated) howto somewhere?
> >
> > -Dan "Tired of getting scratched up by jagged cable ties" Mahoney
> >
> >
> 
> Best site I have seen so far:
> http://www.dairiki.org/hammond/cable-lacing-howto/

I have recently fallen in love with lacing. It is definitely a very
clean method of securing cables, and is an art form that seems to be
dying with old telco guys. 

There are a couple of different stitches, including the Chicago and
Kansas city stitch. The best cord to use is a 6 ply poly lacing cord
that can be purchased from western filament, inc. part#9PRT125W. I
believe that it is about $7.00 per half pound roll, with a $50 minimum
order. Check out chapter 5 of the following Qwest technical publication
for details on how to tie the knots. 

http://www.qwest.com/techpub/77350/77350.pdf 

On another off topic note, does anyone know the origin of including

mints with telco rack gear? I often see this in rack screw bags,
shelves, adaptors, etc.. 


-Chris


  

  
  
   
     
    






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