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From: <bp@www.zefox.net>
Newsgroups: sci.electronics.repair
Subject: Re: Wire harness building materials
Date: Sun, 9 Jun 2024 15:22:13 -0000 (UTC)
Organization: A noiseless patient Spider
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Jeff Liebermann <jeffl@cruzio.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 6 Jun 2024 19:12:25 -0000 (UTC), <bp@www.zefox.net> wrote:
> 
>>Went looking for some spiral cable wrap to build a few simple
>>wiring harnesses. ISTR it was pennies per foot some years ago,
>>so I expected dimes per foot now.
>>
>>Turns out it's dollars per foot for the spiral stuff, but slit
>>corrugated hose is much cheaper, roughly what I expected for spiral.
> 
> Some clue as to what diameter and material you're looking for would be
> helpful.  Looking at what a Google image search dredged up, I don't
> see anything that costs "dollars per foot".
> <https://www.google.com/search?q=spiral+cable+wrap&tbm=isch>
> For example:
> <https://www.cabletiesandmore.com/spiral-wrap-standard>
> $15.13 / 100 ft in 3/4 inch diameter LDPE.

That actually looks like a good deal but 100 feet is waaay too much.
The disclaimer about residential shipping surcharges makes me wary.

Here's a fairly representative example:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/D-Line-Cable-Wrap-Black-8-ft-2-5m-0-5-1-5-in-10-40mm-Expandable-Diameter/1002887174
$2/foot, not locally in stock but it appears pickup is free if I'm 
willing to set up an online account.


>>Anybody have a clue why? The convoluted  material looks a lot
>>slower to make. I tend to think it's inferior mechanically,
>>and certainly is bulkier.
> 
> Convoluted material?  Maybe a more specific material description will
> yield a less vague answer.
> 
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/split-loom-tubing/
The product I ended up buying (from a local auto parts store) looks
similar and was about $5 for 7 feet, half inch ID. 

I should admit the last time I bought spiral wrap it was from
the local Radio Shack store..... the real puzzle is the availability 
disparity. The corrugated stuff looks a lot harder to make, bulkier 
and gives the wires less support. Why is it easier to find? 

Thanks for writing,

bob prohaska