Cable braiding/sleeving - how much and what size?

SouthEastBlue

SouthEastBlue

SouthEastBlue

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Thought I'd jazz up the inside of my Storm Scout with a bit of DIY cable braiding, but I'm unsure of how much I need and what sizes I should buy?

The smallest is 2.5mm which I assume should be fine for EVERY single wire in my case minus the sata leads? I'm hoping to do all the modular cables on my Coolermaster PSU (2 x 6 pin graphics card leads, 1 x lead with 3 molex connectors, and 1 x lead with 3 sata power connectors), my case wiring, and also a 24pin extension lead. Without pulling it all out of my case right now to measure and count every single wire what's the average most people have used on their own builds? Also how much heatshrink? I was gonna guess at 5m of sleeving, and 1m of heatshrink for now?

Everything is from the 'chilly computer' place, so if anyone else who's bought from there could give me any advice on what they bought that would be great.

Obviously when I've done it I'll post some piccies too. :)

EDIT: Actually I think I seriously underestimated how much I'll need, better try and work it out properly....
 
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What colours are youthinkin of going for? NZXT make some very nice cables for most needs. OcUK stock some, but there is a wider range if you look about. They only really do white and black, with some variation here and there. Just a thought if you were looking at those colours.
 
Well I ordered some 4mm and 10m white high density stuff to sleeve my front panel case wires, fan wires and 2 sata cables as a sort of trial. If it goes well I'll be likely to do the more fiddly stuff so it all matches. Just need to find some black fans with white blades to match too.
 
To braid a PSU (single wires) you are looking at around 50m of braid depending on the length of your wires and how many you have and 2-3 metres of heatshrink. This will take you around a day to complete, perhaps longer. I personally wouldn't use 2.5mm as it stiffens the wires which can pull from the heatshrink. 4mm is better imo.

Get 3-1 heatshrink (I prefer adhesive lined). Make sure you get *dense weave* braid as other stuff crap. Don't bother with ATX removal tools, they are crap and break in no time and staples do the job just fine anyway. A molex removal tool is worthwhile though.
 
Keep us updated on this one, I'm considering doing a fairly radical (colour wise) braiding job on some of my cables for my build, and it would be quite interesting to see how easy it is to start from scratch...

kd
 
Thanks for the replies, it was definitely the dense stuff that I bought as I'd already used the cheaper crap stuff on an old computer and knew it was kinda see through.

This is only a trial anyway but I've found some good info and a great 2 part guide on YouTube on how to do it correctly so hopefully I don't mess it up.
 
i got a 8pin and 24pin leads from w3bbo and they loom fantastic in white.
you can just see the white 8 pin in this picture.

if you want to save your time doing all leads then buy these nzxt leads as they look very professional.

P1000122.jpg
 
SouthEastBlue said:
Well I ordered some 4mm and 10m white high density stuff to sleeve my front panel case wires, fan wires and 2 sata cables as a sort of trial. If it goes well I'll be likely to do the more fiddly stuff so it all matches. Just need to find some black fans with white blades to match too.
Click to expand...

DONT ASK FOR COMPETITOR LINKS PLEASE.
 
schizo said:
i got a 8pin and 24pin leads from w3bbo and they loom fantastic in white.
you can just see the white 8 pin in this picture.

if you want to save your time doing all leads then buy these nzxt leads as they look very professional.

P1000122.jpg
Click to expand...

I could do the easy thing and buy cables pre braided, but I like doing things myself. :p Even if it would only save me a couple of pounds, although it depends how good I can make the other case wiring look. If it turns out crappy then I'll just consider buying the extensions otherwise I'm happy to get in there and do it all myself.

dannywaugh1 said:
if you dont mind me asking where did you get it from?
Click to expand...

Not sure if I'm allowed to mention their name as they aren't a direct competitor but they do sell some of the same things as OCUK.

NO YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO MENTION THEM.
RE READ THE FORUM RULES
 
Most connections can be taken off with anything metal, small and pointy. They all just have little bits of metal that require poking in so the metal fitting comes out. When fitting them back just bend it back to the original position.

I've removed molex and 3/4pin fan connectors using very small flat head screw drivers before. There is a proper tool for the other connectors to be removed properly but staples seem the cheaper option by bending one of the sides out straight so you have one long piece of slim metal using the unstraightend side to be able to pull it out of the connections. Might have explained strangely but it's not too difficult I don't think.
 
cablebraiding2.jpg

cablebraiding3.jpg

Cablebraiding1.jpg


Done these myself with 4mm and dont use adhesive lined heatshrink it`s to messy and a reall pain to get off,cant name where i got mine from but it`s not in the UK best stuff i have ever used and easy to work with,when you buy it they email you a guide on how to use it.
 
SouthEastBlue said:
Well I ordered some 4mm and 10m white high density stuff to sleeve my front panel case wires, fan wires and 2 sata cables as a sort of trial. If it goes well I'll be likely to do the more fiddly stuff so it all matches. Just need to find some black fans with white blades to match too.
Click to expand...

I love the arctic Cooling F12 fans =) they are awesome and they are the cheapest out there for white blade fans =)
 
If you want to braid there's only one place you should be buying braiding from tbh. Same place as clone above. Sucks that you can't mention the name because they pretty much specialise in braiding only, something that OCUK barely touches on. But google enough and you'll be sure to find them :).

Best looking white blade fans imo are Nexus Quiets. Pictures in sig + flickr of them with red black white braided cables.
 
My braid/sleeving should be here tomorrow so will soon see what it's like - in pics it looks identical to the stuff from the known braiding company outside this country.

Just ordered 7m more of the 4mm sleeving along with a cheap 24pin extension for me to braid. Anyone know where I can source individual connectors in black?

Oh and I bought 2 more 120mm Gelid fans to match the one on my heatsink.
 
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I have just made the half way mark with my braiding, i must say it is very expensive! lol,
i had to buy a new decent soldering iron as i have had to lengthen most of my cables and the iron i had was pants, taken me 15 mins per join :O, so i wasted £130 on a new iron that i had high hopes to use more often, but in reality, ill use it for this task and it will find a home in the workshop and not be used again.

I bought 10mtr of white and 5mtr of aqua blue, i have managed to get two 6pin PCIe, 15" 24pin ATX extension and 2 fans of 18", i bought 1mtr of heatshirink but that didnt get far really so i was using some other stuff on the ends that wouldn't be seen.

once done, its well worth it.
 
w3bbo said:
To braid a PSU (single wires) you are looking at around 50m of braid depending on the length of your wires and how many you have and 2-3 metres of heatshrink. This will take you around a day to complete, perhaps longer. I personally wouldn't use 2.5mm as it stiffens the wires which can pull from the heatshrink. 4mm is better imo.

Get 3-1 heatshrink (I prefer adhesive lined). Make sure you get *dense weave* braid as other stuff crap. Don't bother with ATX removal tools, they are crap and break in no time and staples do the job just fine anyway. A molex removal tool is worthwhile though.
Click to expand...

thanks for the great info w3bbo.....this is something im going to do and the tips you have gave are excellent mate....;)
 
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