I have been using the loop/counterloop technique for 50 years and I learned it in a recording studio much as you were mentioning. It’s by far the best technique and it’s actually quite fast once you’ve mastered the counterloop process. There was one thing that you didn’t mention though. When you have an extension cord that has been wound in the same direction like a spring for years and years and you cannot use the new technique until you undo the damage from previous wrappings. You have to stretch the cord out on the ground and unwind all of those kinks until it’s a straight cord. You have to remove all of those springlike windings, or your efforts will be useless. There’s one other thing that deserves honorable mention here. When you buy a new extension cord, imagine in the factory how they process it. They put the cord on some sort of reel and wind it onto the reel for shipment. If you think about it, that process is exactly the same as wrapping a previously used cord between your hand and your elbow since each wrap is in the same direction. There is no difference between a brand new cord, and one that has been improperly wound in the past. It’s a bit of a pain, but the proper way to open a brand new extension cord out of the package is to literally unwind it. Reverse the process that was used in manufacturing. It’ll take several minutes because it’s awkward and you don’t have tools and you just have to do it by hand However, once you’re finished, you have a perfectly straight cord without any twists. Now when you use the loop/counter process your cord will stay in the same condition as long as your own it. Take my word for it. This is a fabulous technique once you’ve learned it. It doesn’t take any longer than wrapping it around your elbow but your life will be immeasurably easier by using this technique. Good luck.

After seeing your video I just went to my garden, grabbed the first 25 meter cable I could get hold of and tried the over/under method. Works perfectly! I had to become 61 years old to learn this, but from now on I will use it for the rest of my life. A big THANK YOU from Germany!💯

Back in my fire department days we called the second method “daisy chain”. After washing and inspecting the ropes we would chain them. As there were less contact points within the rope itself it would allow more airflow resulting in better drying. Works great on the boat as well for dock lines, anchor rope and ski rope. Prevents tangling and makes for easy deployment as well!

I was a stagehand in Las Vegas for 30 years. The Soundman at Bally's (MGM) hotel told me how to wrap Microphone cables by the Mantra "Overworked and Underpaid" for the Over/Under method.

The most informative and useful video I've ever seen on UKposts. Hands Down. I'm 64 years old and have a lot of education and varied experiences in my life. I am stunned that I've never heard of either of these methods. Every Christmas the neighbors look over at me pulling 100ft and 50ft cords all tossed in a box. The I stomp around, cursing under my breath and look like a crazy moronic clown. For an hour or so. Think of how much time this could have saved me in 64 years. Not to mention being grumpy and missing out on the joy of putting up Christmas lights.

Now, do you have a trick for wrapping strings of Christmas lights ! 🤣

I grew up in construction and was taught both. Around 24 years in IT and over/under has served me well, especially with network cabling!

The over/under technique is great and I use it regularly, but it is much easier if you make your loops toward you rather than away from you as shown. At the beginning, hold the connector facing away from you and make the first loop toward you at the top. The second loop is then reversed by turning the top of the loop inward between the standing part and the first loop, then repeat the alternating loops. The result is the same as shown, but the awkward flip of the cable over the back of the wrist is eliminated.

Nice! I've been contracting since I was twelve, my teacher always called that second method the "contractor's braid." I thought it was so unique until a recent trip to a horse ranch where I saw a bunch of ropes done up in the same manner. I love seeing trade skills and tips like these being shared, just wholesome and positive.

The over-under is the way to go and is proven in Hollywood. I reserve the chain method for 10 gauge cords. Cord wrapping/storage needs to be taught often as so few know about it. 😎🤙

your doing everyone such a favor by teaching this method. for years dealing with people not wrapping up my 200+ ft cables correctly and im hosed spending litterally an hour some times fixing it.... wish everyone could see this

This is a great instruction on how to master over and under cord and hose coiling. People find it difficult, and your description is great. You should add on a section of how to over-under coil a hose while it's on the ground for longer hoses. It would be a helpful addition, because I myself find it harder to do than the one you showed. The reason that you have to adjust the coils once in a while to make them lay flat is because of the manufacturer twisting the three wires along their length (under the outer insulation), to make them more compact. Anyone who has cut open an extension cord for more than a few inches has seen this twist, along with supporting strands of filler to make the cord round and stronger. All this means that every cord has a natural "Lay" of the three wires inside, depending on how many twists per foot that the manufacturer engineered into their process. Imagine taking a 50 foot extension cord held down in a straight line every two feet on a concrete floor. Now split the outer insulation jacket down the entire length and take the jacket off in your mind. The three stranded insulated wires would still lay there nicely on the floor, but the minute you picked them up and twisted them, they would wildly start popping apart and splitting all over. The reason I wrote that long boring description is to help everyone understand what's going on with cord winding. When the cord needs to be hand-twisted on one coil to make that coil lay flat while you're winding it up like you showed, it's because there is tension between the outer jacket and those nicely twisted together three wires inside. -It just happens while you're using a cord. And all this is the VERY reason you don't want to do that stupid "elbow-hand" old way of coiling up a cord. On every single coil around your elbow, you are creating that tension-twist between the outer jacket and the three wires inside. If you've ever seen an extension cord twisted and actually knotted all along it's length to where it looks like it was spun in a drill for 5 minutes- you know without looking how that guy coils up his cords.

Well this has to be one of the most useful videos I've ever seen. I wish I had known these 30 years ago. Could've avoided a lot of needless frustration. Thank you!

I have been doing that for years, probably because I used to like having quick deploy 50’ mic cables. (Me audio engineer 😉). I have also occasionally used the crochet / chain method for cords. Nice of you to teach these tricks to others. 👍🏼

Thanks for sharing. I learned this over/under technique many years ago in college, in my media/film production courses. I still use it to this day, with electrical cords and hoses to avoid any tangled mess. Every once in awhile the opposing loops can create a knot, especially with cable (not with a hose) if you're not careful unwinding it.

Now show us how to wrap barbed wire

You know you’re an adult when you see a video like this and go “ooooo this will be useful”

The chain method you mentioned was taught to me as the navy braid technique, it's literally just crocheting the cable or cordage. It can be done in doubles or quads. The over under technique can also be secured by wrapping the ends in and out around the ring in opposite directions.

We were trained to roll cords as an apprentice. We were held accountable for all the tools of the trade. We learned to support the journeymen that we trained under. We were trained to do better and take pride in our role as team members. These turned out to be life skills that continue to serve me very well.

Thanks for posting this! I've done the chain method with extension cords for years and get told "that's crazy". I say, "No, it's the pro way" Now your video is proof lol, plus i learned the over under, which i can't wait to try on garden hoses!

One more thing about the over-under technique: It doesn't damage cables. One of the reasons you want to use it with, for instance, microphone cables is that the outer wire layer of the cable is a braid. If you just wind it like on your forearm, you are putting all the tiny wires in the braid under tension, increasing with each wind. This leads to breaking the individual wires and eventually ruining the cable's ground effectiveness. If you do the over-under technique, you will be tensioning the braid one direction on one loop, and then the other direction on the next loop. Each loop counteracts the tension of the previous one instead of multiplying it. Cables last longer. This applies to any cable with a braided outer layer, from a 50-headed grounded snake to your USB charging cable.

Your video explained everything so well! I struggled to learn the chain technique from other videos, but yours did the trick. Thank you! So, now the chain technique is BY FAR my favorite. The advantage you pointed out (can pay out just enough cable instead of unraveling the whole thing) is HUGE, but there's more: * Each winding takes up 2 arm spans' length, vs 1 for over/under or simple loops, so it's literally 2 times faster * While winding, can let excess wire sit on the ground, no need to carry entire weight on hand, and won't run out of space on hand either. My 100 ft cable weighs several pounds so this is a big plus too! And to pay it forward, I have my own hacks to contribute: * Mark the midpoint with contrasting tape (more durable than marker) → locate midpoint instantly, no need to track it down from the ends. Also, thieves are less likely to steal extension cords with tape from job sites because they look damaged (mind blown? Me too, when I first heard of this). Someone mentioned making a knot, but that'll stress out the internal wires; the tape won't. * Cut a small slit near one end of the Velcro strap, but not all the way to the end, just enough to fit the plug. That gives you a loop that you can insert one end of the cable into. Then the Velcro will stay on the cable when not in use; you don't have to manually stick it back on as in the video. You can insert either the male or female end into the loop, but I prefer the male end because when the cable is in use, the male end stays on the outlet and out of my way, whereas the female end is attached to my tool, so if the strap goes there it'll be dangling on my side the whole time. Once you're done chaining, plug the male end into the female, grab that pair of plugs, the loop right next to it, and the midpoint, and Velcro the 3 together. Now the chain won't accidentally undo itself. The Velcro'ed part is also easy to find and grab in a pile, since both the midpoint (wrapped in tape!) and the plug are in contrasting colors. * In my area, Romaine lettuce is sold wrapped in a bright green Velcro strap. That strap is PERFECT for extension cords and shop organizing in general. It already has a loop at the end to insert cable ends into. The bright green is super easy to find. And it's free! And you're saving it from the landfill!

From my time as a k9 officer we used the chain method with our long tracking leads. When you needed to deploy the lead quickly the procedure was flawless from storage to hooking your dog up with no tangles. Great info in this video.

I went through a vocational interactive media program in high school. The over-under method was the one thing that has ALWAYS been the most valuable takeaway from that entire course. I might not be doing sound or video production these days, but everyone needs to wrap up an extension cord. The second one, we called a daisychain when I was going through survival school about 15 years ago. To this day, I still store paracord with that method. With longer, thinner line like that or a rope, you can layer it over too. I think mine are folded over like 4 times (so 16 strands) before I chain it, so you end up with 50 feet of cord compressed to an easy-to-unravel braid about 3 feet long.

Of ALL the videos claiming they have the "best" way of wrapping an extension cord, THIS is the best one! Simple, quick and effective.

As a computer professional and a musician, i deal with lots of cables. The alternating wrapping technique ranks as one of the most useful things ove ever learned!

thank you so much!! I just started as a audio/visual tech and the first thing my boss told me was to learn cable management i.e. coiling cables. Logically speaking the over-under technique didn't make sense to me, because i'd thought wrapping the cables in counter direction would tangle it more. But after seeing your unravel the cord I realized that the counter coiling is keeping the cables in a un-wound position, and thats why its not tangling. Great video!

Watched this video a few months ago, went back to it when I had to roll a pneumatic tube, it worked wonderfully. Now I just have to not forget the over-under !

Thank you for emphasizing the importance of over-under! It can also be done with the cable, hose, or line lying flat (on the floor, ground, or deck). That works well for greater diameters and lengths.

Forty years ago, I had a boss who was in the Air Force, they taught him the over & under wrap and he taught it to me. It's so simple to do I don't know why it hasn't caught on everywhere in all that time. Hopefully, your efforts will spread the technique all over the world, thank you!

Just to say that as a long time concert, event, and documentary videographer, this is amazing. I knew there must be a better way but in the heat of the moment, on stage and back stage, you don't think you need it until you do, but then it's too late and just go with what you've always done.

You just blew my mind. You have improved my life I hate dealing with knotted cords ! Thank You 🙂

Thank you for passing on these techniques! I learned the loop/counterloop technique while volunteering in a theatre/panel room at a big convention from an audio engineer, and have relied on it countless thousands of times over my IT career. Having neatly coiled cables of all kinds keeps things tidy and makes you faster, more efficient, and helps prevent damaging cables, especially the ends (how many folks have broken the tabs off of an RJ-45 plug trying to untangle a spaghetti mess of patch cables from a box in your MDF?).

Absolutely amazing idea!! I have never seen this over/under method before and can't wait to get to the shop today and try it. 50 years ago I was winding an air hose at a place I was employed and did the around the arm method and was quickly chastised for that method. I was told that for every loop I put a twist in the hose or cord. The method I have used for years and was taught that day was to make my loops 4' to 5' long and ended up with maybe 5 twists instead of 25. But your over and under method cancels each twist and you can keep your coils small. Thanks so much and thanks for the education. I just love this idea.

Thank you for sharing this video. I have been telling people this for years. Now, the same people I have been telling this will see your video and finally believe this. Fantastic!

Love this tip. In 52 years, this is the first I have seen this. Thanks for sharing.

Always satisfying to see someone teaching the over/under method. One of the simplest habits that’ll save so much time and money in the long run!

In a mathematician video that talked about knots it argued that there just happens to be way more configurations of strings that are in knots so weirdly enough just tossing a rope on the ground could lead to knotting. The suggestion to prevent nots while coiling was to make a figure 8 symbol. It does work however! It really twists up your coords, so I think the over under way is superior.

I’m filled with joy after watching this…. Freedom is what I feel. Cheers bud. Thank you.

Good video! I found a good way to train your cord when it’s brand new. Which is to unravel it and straighten it out on your driveway in the hot sun. After it’s good and hot or very warm then loop it like you’ve shown, there won’t be any twisting issues if you always roll it up properly.

I've been doing the chain method for years but the over/under is new. Great video! Thanks.

Wow. You just reminded me of the loop technique I didn't realize I forgot from my days in construction...I haven't seen that in over 40 years. I am reawakened. thanks

The first "Would you look at that!" Got me good, nice touch.

One of the most useful videos in a while. I actually came up with the over and under method myself, but it felt weird so I didn't use it 😂. And now at least I know it's the right way.

I have been using the chain technique for years and it does work, but with longer cords it sometimes is a bit of a pain to unwind. I usually just hand on to one end and then throw it hard. I am new to the loup/counterloop and have tried it. It works great!! Thanks.

I just gave the over/under technique a try on my oldest, worst, nastiest outdoor extension cord that's 50 ft. I tested my technique by dropping the pile on the ground and walking away with the male end in my hand. It didn't tangle at all. This feels like sorcery! 🧙 I just used the same technique for my 100 ft, 6 month old, heavy guage outdoor extension cord. My arm strength is decidedly *not* good. Because I had to offload the work to a big J-Hook I have on my pegboard. I basically used it as my helping holding hand. Could be a good solution for someone missing all or part of their arm too. I didn't test unwinding it but I kept the cord in line on the hook the same as I had done with my hand on the shorter cord. So I'm confident this works. Thank you again!

Ok this is a brilliant idea, I always struggle with my garden hoses and cords, I’m going to start doing this from now on

I've been preaching this for years. Love it! Not only does it help with tangling but it extends your cable's life.

Superb video covering the most useful ways I’ve seen to handle both extension cords and hoses for water or air - thanks a million!

Thanks. I remember watching this around the time it was uploaded. Now I had to manually roll lots of cables that we're packing up, and I wanted to do it the "right" way. Fortunately I found this video again.

One might think i ended up in the wrong section of yt again... watchin sbdy fold cables for 10 mins of my life. But ive learnt sth so trivial yet do great that will easily save me 10 times what i have invested here in time. Big thanks to you my american friend- greetz from germany

I loved the over-under technique. I always used the over-over that is a lot better than just wrap in the forearm as usually everybody does but it still not perfect. I will train myself to use the over-under one.

Over 8 years of experience as an electrician and never heard of this. Thank you very much!

There are TONS of methods for coiling climbing ropes and nylon cords/slings that are worth checking out. A straight coil is almost never a good option because of the twist it introduces. For particularly long ropes or extension cords I use a butterfly coil. Simply pull out a full arm span of cord and drape it around the back of your neck. Switch hands and repeat in a back and forth manner. When you've got only a bit left remove the coils over your head, maintaining the bend in the middle. There are then several options for how you bundle the two "butterfly wings" together. With 60 meter climbing ropes you can even lash it your back like a backpack.

Another benefit of the chain method, because the unused portion is not in a tight coil, it doesn't create an inductive resistance that could potentially overheat an extension cord that is kept in a standard coil. Anything that lessens a fire risk is worth knowing!

Thanks so much for doing this video. I too was taught the old way of winding everything on my arm fixed at a 90 degree angle. Will try your technique today after using my electric blower. Wish my Dad were still alive to show him.

You can also do this by wrapping it around your palm and elbow but doing a figure eight instead of a circle. The way you're doing it is essentially a figure eight but folded at the midpoint. This is also the recommended way to fold vacuum cords: figure eight the cord instead of making a loop prevents the cord from being tangled.

Well I COIL (not wrap) cables for a living (I'm a lighting tech) and there's a few things I feel like missing: 1: under over really is the best way in my opinion although the reason you want to make sure the plugs end up by their correct sides of the reel is because if you pull them thru all the loops you end up with as many knots as loops you have. Pretty much the only downside, you just need to be careful. The other thing I feel like missing is the explanation of why the under over is superior. It is because the only way to put a cable into a spiral shape is to twist it continuously in one direction. But by using under over you alternate the direction you're twisting the cable so it stays completely straight. Also neither I or any other professional I have ever come across in my 20+ career would ever use the "chain" method on any cable, it is good for climbing rope though if you store it for a longer amount of time.

Ive never seen these techniques and wish i would have about 50 years ago. You can teach an old dog new tricks evidently! Thank you!

you might find the over-under under technique easier if you start with the end pointing away from you instead of towards you. Then all it takes is a flick of the right wrist to twist it for the "under" part. For those who are familiar with crocheting, the chain technique is simply crocheting. Both work very well.

Thanks for sharing! Love the chain method for the cable! That’s a sewing technique 🥰

I recommend over-under for just about everything. Since cables typically have the internal wires wrapped in a spiral, over under helps maintain that inner spiral. If you ever notice a cable you have wrapped the same direction for a long time, it ends up looking funny; reason is because the wires inside have begun to straighten out and now warps the outer wrapping and won’t coil up properly. I used to run FOH PA for a while and once I learned this technique I never wrapped a cable any other way. Highly recommend to keep your cables in top condition!

Mind blown!!! Just started doing my own yard work and extension cord for the blower is a pain. THANK YOU!! liked and subscribed!

I've been using the braided method since my grandfather taught me that technique in the early 80's. I also use it for ropes. I've never had any issues with the breaking either, as many will claim. I wrap my hoses around a spool, so I don't typically roll them by hand. Then when I'm done, I crank the spool and never have any issues.

Good tips. Here’s another one to add to the list. Buy a cheap plastic electrical cord reel, mark the middle of the electrical cord with a Sharpe, or a piece of electrical tape. At that midpoint, attach to the reel and roll the two ends up on the reel. Easy Peezy! You can reel it up in half the time as it takes to do a single strand and unrolls in twice the time, also. There are no tangles and it’s easy to store. Also, like your last example, you can unroll just as much as you need to use and then roll it back up. No messing with Velcro tape, either.

I had a Mixing and Mastering class in college and after our final the teacher had us all go out to the hallway for an extra credit opportunity. He gave us all a 25' XLR and told us to wrap it up and then throw it down the hallway while still holding one of the ends. If the cable went down the hallway without any knots/kinks in it we got the extra credit. I've been doing the over/under ever since because it really does save your cables lifespan, not to mention when you get fast with it you can wrap cables like a pro without even looking at your hands which is a surprisingly relaxing/soothing activity even for those without OCD.

Thanks for the great explanation - I am going out to the garage now and rewind my air hose. Incidentally, if you put the velcro tie end through the loop in the end of the tie around the end of the cord, it will strap in place when you are ready to use it again. No need to fuss with the velcro tie - it will be attached to the cord/hose.

For the Velcro, if you make a slit(along the length or a hole, you pass the velcro around the wire, through itself, and snug it up. That will leave a tail that you can use to secure the wire and it will keep the velcro attached to the wire when you release it. Not a big thing, but it is quick and nice to not worry about dropping the velcro. Great video.

I always, for the most part and weather permitting, end up laying my cord/hose out in my (long) drive to roll them up, so this looks much easier and will be doing it that way next time. One thing about leaving thecord/hose ends open, however. Given that I live in the country, we have certain bugs who just love to build their litttle hidey-holes for their larve in anything even remotely resembling a hole, which includes the ground pin hole on extension cords, and especially the ends of air or pressure washer hoses. As a result, connecting the ends together is an absolute necessity.

So simple yet so effective thank you! The first method has a bit of interesting history behind it on ships. From British origin reversing the direction of coiling in a rope to prevent kinks was called “ adding or throwing 2:46 a Frenchman “ ( no love lost between France and England 😂). This is very useful when coiling very thick heavy duty lines like mooring ropes in cramped spaces below decks where you don’t have much room to move. Also indispensable when coiling thick steel wire ropes and cables like crane hoist wires and Tug boat towing wires. Thanks once again! Toni from South Africa ( 35 odd years in Merchant Navy). ❤

I've done the chain method for 35 years, taught by my boss in the construction trade. It's amazing and super durable. Throw 10 cords in a box, never get tangled. The over and under looks really slick too.

Your Velcro tie has the slot in it so it would stay on the cord at all times. You put the end through the slit so it is wrapped around just the one cord then you wrap this around the entire bundle. To me it seems to simply be about the twisting, and maybe the over under technique helps keep it from twisting to some degree. Wrapping up network cables I just twist them as you did with the extension cord to remove the twisting when coiling up.

I use the second technique you showed all the time! I learned it as being called the “daisy chain” I used to work harvest at a company that owns/operates grain elevators. We often had to cover large piles of wheat in a very large 4,000 pound tarp. In order to install the tarp, we used these fancy hand held sewing machines to stitch the two pieces of tarp together, and the sewing machines were powered with stupidly long extension cords. I’m talking like 500 feet long. That technique works really well for very long cords that would otherwise be a nightmare to untangle every time.

I could have used this video over 27 years ago, when I started as a skilled tradesman. The old man taught me the first technique you showed, wrapping the extension cord around my arm and had same result, knots and tangles. I did that for almost 10 years before I did it the correct way. What a difference that made! lol

Method 1 is going to be so helpful for cable runs, where the box/spool must be placed in the middle of the run, and the 2nd half of the run is done by pulling what you need, cutting, then running. I can do the over-under method to keep the cable neat, tidy, and paying out smoothly. Awesome!

Oh man thank you so much. I knew there had to be an easier way… but I’ve always struggled with loops and knots and cables and probably would’ve never figured that out myself. Gardening will never be the same 🙇‍♂️

I've not seen this method for winding hoses. That's fantastic. Thanks for posting!

Over Under is the only way to roll! I work in the audio visual industry, this is a day one lesson in cable management. Nice job.

That chain method looks really neat! I can see the use of one of the velcro bands to fasten the first chain loop in order to store the cable hanging from both ends together. Plus if you use the entire cable, that first loop will be kept intact (unless purposely undone) and mark the midway point with no need to line it up again. I'll try to remember this method when dealing with extension cords again.

I also did it wrong for many decades. This technique is so useful! Thanks!

Interesting. I learned the over/under 'bout 40 years ago from an old roadie in the band and use it on everything. I always start with the end facing away from me. The opposite of the way you were holding it. From what I saw, it rolls smoother, the cord doesn't end up on top of your wrist on the "under" (just a little flip). I hate in when somebody gets a hold of my cords and untrains it. But then I love to give them the class.

One suggestion... I personally like to keep those Velcro straps attached to on end of the extension cord and not remove it. I just unwrap the tail of the Velcro when I want to unwrap the cord and leave the "head" (the part with the hole in it) of the Velcro strap attached to the cord. To do this I put the Velcro strap "tail" into the Velcro strap "head", which creates a loop; put one end of the extension cord through the Velro "loop" you just created and pull the Velcro "tail" all the way until it is snug agains the cord; now you have a fairly long Velcro "tail" which you can wrap and unwrap from the cord, while the Velcro "head" remains attached to the cord. It's really simple, but I'm not sure if my explanation is helpful or makes it sound worse.

Another tip from pro audio/lighting world, put your cable ties on the male end of the cable so that when you plug your audio cables in, you don't have the eyesore of cable ties up on a mic stand- or ties visible on stage cluttering things up.

Wow! I never knew you could crochet an extension cord! Got to show this to my partner for his work area in the shed.

Chain technique is the best ever! I use it every time.

While working as a Lighting Director in a small theater I learned the 'over/under' wrap from the sound guys. I love it and still use it almost exclusively. Surprisingly, the lighting rental houses I used in LA HATED it. If I returned cables with the O/U wrap they would scowl and immediately re-wrap them with an elbow wrap. Eventually I got the message and since it was their cable I returned them with their preferred wrap. My 'house' cables, on the other hand, were always in the O/U wrap.

One of the very first things I was taught in my job as a stagehand was how to properly coil a cable. They’d tear your head off if they saw you using your forearm. For those that don’t know, using your forearm can cause the cable sheath to twist and separate from the core. That’s why 90% of extension cords look like a tangled mess.

Amazing! l didn't even know there was a specific technic to wrap hoses/cords to make your life easier. Living and learning 👏👏👏

Thanks for your well thought out presentation. One issue, though. I use what I call the ‘doubling up’ method. It’s much faster and I can access it in half the time as well. Simply grab both ends of your cable and carry them to the ‘midpoint’ of the cable (as created by making two parallel lengths, each 50% of the entire cable). Next, you should have 4 lengths on each end now and, grabbing all 4 strands at one end and carry them to the other end (also of 4 strands) which will now appear as 8 parallel lines (also 1/8 of the full length). Continue until you have a manageable length of multiple lines. To unwind for use, notice where the folds (bend points) are when you folded the sections of the cable and you will notice places where the cable is grouped together in some places more than others. With practice, you can see where these groupings are and divide-by-hand the groups to ‘un’ -group the wrapped wire to the second or first ‘wrap’ then finish by tossing the line out in front of you so the cable can rotate freely if you need to reward the cable again.

When I learned over/under in video class, it felt lifechanging! One danger with the technique is accidentally pulling one of the ends through the middle on the wrong side - you'll end up with a long string of knots in the cord.

I started with the 'wind around your elbow & hand' method when I was younger. I quickly learned that this resulted in many kinks. Having to work with 50' lengths of electrical cord & hoses in my business (and around home), I started using coils about 3'+ in diameter, always focusing on the way the cord (or hose) wanted to naturally lay flat in the coil. But this resulted in a few kinks when having to stretch out 50' lengths. I can see how the over-under method of coiling will solve that issue. I'll be using it at the end of the Summer when I have to put the hoses away for the Winter. I also use the velcro ties for both electrical cords & hoses. Thanks for demonstrating the method. Now if I could only get my other half to put away extension cords using this method ....

Genius! Thank you for taking the time to post this. Great info.

The ubiquitous “Roadie Wrap”. Invaluable in stage production

I was skeptical at the beginning, but when he showed how it works with the hose, I was convinced. Been wrapping my hose the old ways. Always annoys me how it would create a spiral like the old phone cables. Ends up taking more space when in use than saving it when storing. Sometimes the hose hits the side of my car. This is one of the best tips I've watch on UKposts. Thanks!

Here's one from the Navy, useful from coiling long hoses. Instead of coiling in circles going in the same direction, coil the hose in a figure-of-eight flat on the ground. When you uncoil it to use, it will not make those annoying coils which often squeeze shut and cut off the water. Simple but very effective. Alternatively, you could have two pegs mounted on a wall, and do the same there. works equally well.

Thanks brother! I needed this… the tangled mess drives me nuts!

As an audio tech for over 40 years, I have been doing this wrap on all cables and it's great to see it explained so well for home and construction use. It makes me cringe when I see over the arm wrapping! I have a vinyl extension cable that is over 30 years old and is still in perfect condition from wrapping it correctly. Another trick we use for VERY long cable, and one I use for my garden hose, is a figure 8 on the ground. Easy to learn and very effective.

Variation that works well for me: plug the two ends together, find the midpoint, bring the midpoint up to the plugs, find the new midpoint, bring it up to the plugs, each time you do this you halve the distance so the cord gets short quick. When done, Twist the bundle into a figure eight and velcro-wrap the loops. When you want to lay the cord out, remove the velcro tie, hold one plug end and throw the coil... and the whole cord pretty much lays itself out in a straight line.

Been doing the around the elbow method since I was a little kid and I can honestly say that I hardly ever get my cords tangled up when using them. Even with my heavy gauge 50 and 100 foot cords I have no problem. The few times that I have gotten tangled up is when I was using a cheap cord, those tend to get twisted as you wrap them around your arm. But just as you were doing with the over/under method, you can feel the twist and adjust it as you wrap it. I never try to wrap large garden hoses, the ones I have are too big and heavy to use any kind of wrapping method. I either wind them up on the hose reel, or over the hose rack mounted onto wall. Same with air hoses.

dude this is the most useful video ive ever found on youtube