Cable Sleeving/Braid Guide

[moogle]

Hello there. I'm fairly new here but I've just seen there's a guide forum (haven't had much time to fully browse any forums) and I'd like to share a guide that I made a while ago. It's just a sleeving one but maybe it'll help you understand how it's done if you didn't know already.

Guide:
Hi guys, did alot of sleeving and braiding before and decided to make a guide for it for all to read should they want to sleeve their own wires.

Sleeving your wires makes for neater insides and better airflow. Less things to get caught on when for example 3 fan wires are merged into one.

WARNING: Take care when putting the connectors back as if you do it wrongly you could risk your PSU, Components, Fans getting damaged by SHORTING IT OUT and it could cause a fire. Please note that you do this at your own risk, I take no responsibility if anything goes wrong, this is just a guide.

It's not a big risk if you know what you're doing but I must give a warning.

Braiding simple things like fans or molex cables it's just a simple job of remembering where which cable goes. For 3 pin fans if you're facing the fan plug from above (where you can see the metal pins, orientate it so that the cables are at the bottom) there should be a Number 1 stamped onto it on the leftmost pin (stamped like a VIN number is etc). That #1 is the Ground (Negative -) pin or where the black cable goes. The middle is the +12 (Positive +) pin and the last one on the right is the Sensor (RPM) pin.

Here's a diagram I made just for the 3 pin fan and a male pinned molex cable (The main ones I sleeve/braid)

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/Diagram.png (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/Diagram-1.png)


Also here's a little PSU cable pinout diagram from http://pinouts.ru/


http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/wtx_24p_cableconn.gif (http://pinouts.ru/)


If you're going to be doing PSU cable sleeving you'll be needing some numbered stickers (so you can label each cable with reference to the diagram above) or you can make your own with some clear tape and some paper. Once those wires are out it'll be pretty hard to manage them and you don't want to get this one messed up.

Anyway heres the tools/parts I used

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3182.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3182-1.jpg)

But you can also use flathead screwdrivers like these instead of the Molex Toolkit I have. The small one is a 1.4mm one which can be used to press down on the fan pins, the larger one can be used to push the molex hooks in one at a time.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3205.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3205-1.jpg)

Pin Extractor Tools or Jewellers Screwdrivers and you can even use Bent staples (If they're long enough) for removing your 24-Pin ATX motherboard power cable pins.
Scalpel
Heavy Duty Scissors (Braid is tough to cut as it's all bundled up)
Heat gun, Hairdryer or Lighter*
Braid/Sleeving (Using 5mm - Expands to 8mm)
Heatshrink (Using 6mm 2:1 heatshrink - Contracts to 3mm past temperatures of 70c)


*Only use a lighter if you're doing black braiding/sleeving and heatshrinking as using it on anything else will turn it dark also.


Basically what I did was stretch out my cables that were going to be braided over a tape measure and took measurements of how long it was. For example my DDC's cables were 50cm long but I know that the cables aren't exactly straight so I added 1-2cm onto the cut length. I then proceeded cut 51cm of sleeving off my roll.

When they're cut they'll fray easily so I used the lighter again to melt the ends which keeps the strands of braid together when I push the cables through.

Here's how it looks before.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3167-1.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3167.jpg)

After the melting

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3168.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3168-1.jpg)

I melt both ends so that neither side frays as much as it would if you didn't melt it. This does also restrict the expansion at the hole though so if you're going to sleeve a sata cable do it after it's on.

Now you take off the pins so you can slip the sleeving on.

For 3 pin fans you just need to press on the little hook on top to release a pin. I got the special tool which does all 3 at once but you can use the screwdriver or something like a fork or anything that has a blunt sort of end and fits in between the holes.

Here's a pic of it in action

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3201-1.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3201.jpg)

After pushing down you just slip the pin out.

Here's another one of my diagrams to help you guys visualise it if you still don't understand how it's locked in.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/Fan.png

1) Push the locking hook down (actually compresses the pin so don't worry about pulling it up after)
2) Slide the pin out.

Here's how it looks when it's out


http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3179-1.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3179.jpg)



I also had to remove 2 molex pins from my DDC so what I did was use my molex extractor too and push on it so it squeezed the hooks in to let the pin slip out. If you're using the screwdriver just press in each hook (don't push it too inside or it'll go inside the molex pin as it's hollow). More pics and diagrams below!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3197.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3197-1.jpg)

[moogle]

Here's the tool in action

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3198-1.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3198.jpg)

Another one of my Laymans Diagrams if you still didn't understand how it's locked in

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/Molex.png


Now we got the connectors/plugs off lets do some sleeving!

When putting the sleeving on just pulling it over the cables can get it snagged. What I do is, once the cable is inside, I pinch the sleeving with my right hand and pinch the sleeving and cable (futher fromt the pin so you're holding more of the cable, 2-3" should be fine) in my left hand and slide my left hand until the pin is in between my right fingers. I then pinch the pin and let my left hand go and it slides onto the cable. I repeat this until the pin comes out the other side. You can do this with many pins too as when you compress the braid horizontally it expands in diameter (vertically) allowing large pins to pass through. Check the picture below, if you look closely you can see the pin and cable inside the braid. Alternatively you can put a bit of masking tape over the pins/hooks of the terminals and slide it through easily.


http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3184.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3184-1.jpg)

My sleeving is on and it's looking sort of short right? (Bare wires showing) Well I left a few cm's of bare wire for the heatshrink to cover. Also the braid might still be compressed so what I do is pull in opposite directions on each end to straighten the braid out and tighten it around the cables nice and taut :)


http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3186.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3186-1.jpg)


Now to put the heatshrink on. I usually cut about 2-3cm but it could be shorter or longer depending on how you want yours to look or how bad you've cut your sleeving.
In my picture below you can see some stray strands of braid not wanting to fit in. This is only because I've got real tight heatshrink and braid. If you buy 3:1 ratio heatshrink (9mm diameter sized heatshrink would shrink 3 times smaller to 3mm) then you won't have this problem. My braid is 5mm in diameter and the heatshrink is like 6mm. The way I get around this is by pinching the heatshrink so it opens up like your mouth would and it can gobble those extra strands. If it doesn't I prod them in with my finger and it's not really hard to do.

Stray strand piccy below

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3188.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3188-1.jpg)

Once the heatshrink is over if you're having a tough time like me pulling it onto the sleeving try twirling it and pushing it on. It helps me get it on the braid. Once you're done it'll be looking something like this. Now it's time for the shrinking.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3189.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3189-1.jpg)


I only shrink one end by putting my lighter on low and hovering it below the heatshrink. Sometimes I also hover it past the heatshink swiftly so it doesn't get too hot. Once that's done it'll look like the heatshrink in the background of the next picture.


http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3191.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3191-1.jpg)

Now that's done I won't shrink the other end yet. I'm gonna put the molex plug back on. But the hooks aren't sticking out anymore so the pins wont stay in the molex connector. This is where the scalpel comes in (sharp jewellers screwdriver can be used for this too). I use the scalpel to get underneath the hook then slightly lever it upwards. Repeat on all of the hooks but don't bend them too far out. Pictures below.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3193.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3193-1.jpg)


Here's how it looks when done. It's all ready to be connected to the molex connector. They look like rockets/missiles or even a plane sort of. It reminds me of a Super Banana Bomb from Worms World Party.

Anyhow once in you should hear a click so tug on the cable to make sure it's in and fitted properly. Do the same for the fan plug. In my case the blue fan plug cable goes in slot #3 (RPM)

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3194.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3194-1.jpg)

[moogle]

Now before shrinking the other end, I stretch out the braid by holding the braid at the shrunk end and stretching it out. This should shorten the distance or length of visible cable and should give you enough room to shrink the last heatshrink.

After all that is done you should end up with something like this


http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3203.jpg (http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/m00gs/braiding_guide/IMG_3203-1.jpg)

It really does look better in real life as quite frankly my DSLR camera skills are no good.

Hope this guide helps you better understand how to braid/sleeve your cables should you want to or if you were unsure of trying it.

Below is a list of recommended sizes (diameters) of sleeving for different cables. A majority of it was found by the users of the WCUK forum and Marcus000 searching the net so a major thanks to them. Original post here (http://www.watercoolinguk.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=6428).


Metric


Individual Wires - 3mm or 4mm
SATA Power Cable - 6mm or 3/4mm for single wires
SATA Data Cable - 6mm (Make sure it's expandable to 12mm or if you have 10mm you can try but it might be a tight fit.)
24 Pin MB ATX Connector -12 mm or 3/4mm for single wires
6 Pin PCI Express Cable - 6mm or 3/4mm for single wires
8 Pin PCI Express Cable - 6mm or 3/4mm for single wires
4 Pin For CPU - 6mm or 3mm/4mm for single wires
8 Pin For CPU - 6mm or 3mm/4mm for single wires
4 Pin Molex Power Cables - 8mm or 3/4mm for single wires
3 Pin Molex / Fan Power Cables - 5mm/4mm/3mm


Imperial


Individual Wires - 1/8" or 1/6"*
SATA Power Cable - 1/4" or 1/8"-1/6"* for single wires
SATA Data Cable - 1/4" (Make sure it's expandable to 1/2")
24 Pin MB ATX Connector - 1/2" or 1/8"-1/6"* for single wires
6 Pin PCI Express Cable - 1/4" or 1/8"-1/6"* for single wires
8 Pin PCI Express Cable - 1/4" or 1/8"-1/6"* for single wires
4 Pin For CPU - 1/4" or 1/8"-1/6"* for single wires
8 Pin For CPU - 1/4" or 1/8"-1/6"* for single wires
4 Pin Molex Power Cables - 1/4" or 1/8"-1/6"* for single wires
3 Pin Molex / Fan Power Cables - 1/8"-1/5"*-1/6"*


*Not sure if these sizes exist but it's the nearest fractional conversion.

For the record I used 5mm (1/5"*) diameter sleeving for my pumps and wires. When choosing a heatshrink size remember if you're doing it for a sata data cable then you'd definately need a 3:1 so it can fit over the end.

I sat in my freezing room (12c) for a few hours doing this and firefox crashed and left me back at square one so I may have rushed it but if you spot any mistakes (wrong hyperlinked pics or confusing wording) then let me know I'll edit it for the better of the readers.

Hope you appreciate it the guide :thumbs:

[simonmaltby]

Really nice - I shall be doing this for sure.

[moogle]

Really nice - I shall be doing this for sure.

Thanks simon ;)

OFT - You've almost got your 50 posts! :rocker:

[Brad]

Very nice guide moogle. :)

[erphy100]

Hi Moogle,
Thanks for the info, a real good guide, just wish I had the time, I'll remember this for the future ref:-
erphy100

[moogle]

Hi Moogle,
Thanks for the info, a real good guide, just wish I had the time, I'll remember this for the future ref:-
erphy100


Very nice guide moogle. :)


Cheers Brad and erphy :thumbs:
Glad to know it's appreciated.

[Helios1234]

Might come in useful, I jsut ordered some braiding and heatshrink pads.

Good guide!

[skunksmash]

great guide moogle......:thumbs:



:)SK

[tobes]

awesome guide!

[edgfactor]

Great guide but I can't find any place in the UK that sells the Sunbeam kit you used

[Jeddmann]

cracking guide. for the above poster I believe chilledpc sell it.

[Cnr]

Great guide, I've been thinking of doing this for a while.

[moogle]

Great guide but I can't find any place in the UK that sells the Sunbeam kit you used

Like jeddmann has spotted it's sold at ChilledPC (where I got mine from). Although the price has gone up since I bought it :(

If it's too pricy for you to justify for molex/fan pin removal then you can still make do with a jewellers screwdriver set :thumbs:


Oh and thanks for the praises guys :hail:

[OmegaStalker]

Just to let you know i once saw a neater way of melting the braid is by instead of cutting the braid what you do is a get a knife blade not jagged but a smooth curve one and then you heat it up until its quite hot and then you cut the braid... Its best to do this on a chopping board to save any mess/damage...

[moogle]

Just to let you know i once saw a neater way of melting the braid is by instead of cutting the braid what you do is a get a knife blade not jagged but a smooth curve one and then you heat it up until its quite hot and then you cut the braid... Its best to do this on a chopping board to save any mess/damage...

Yep that's a hot knife. Heat a stanley knife or razor blade up and it'll do the job. Might try it very soon.

[Pop]

This is a great guide. I will be using in the next few weeks, and shall post the results when I'm done. Do you think it is worth getting all the connectors the same colour, or is it a waste of money?

[moogle]

This is a great guide. I will be using in the next few weeks, and shall post the results when I'm done. Do you think it is worth getting all the connectors the same colour, or is it a waste of money?

All depends on what colour you like and how much they cost.
I usually like the nice contrast between the black sleeving and white connectors :)

[UKGouki]

nice guide moogle :D

[Pop]

All depends on what colour you like and how much they cost.
I usually like the nice contrast between the black sleeving and white connectors :)
Mmm, I was planning white sleeving with black connectors, but still the same. I just need to find somewhere that does black connectors.

[robyrantor2]

i think i may need to tidy up my cables

[robyrantor2]

good guide

[Brooksie]

Awesome guide moogle, i'll be taking reference to this in the future :)

[Youngie1337]

:thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::thumbs::r ocker::rocker::rocker:

Thank you.