the official wire management thread

[mtbkr]

As you can tell by my gallery I try to practice the art of wire management. And throughout my ventures into some of the other galleries, this is a thread that is needed. Here we can share pictures of the best, worst, works in process, helpful links, helpful advice, and anything else you can muster on the subject. These are a couple helpful links to get things started.
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/
http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....ROD&ProdID=649
i highly recommend this tool as i use it on a daily basis at work. it is very durable and very dynamic for installations. watch the videos on the web site!
http://www.monoprice.com/home/index.asp
http://cableorganizer.com/
the list goes on and on. so help me out

[SlmShdy1]

The biggest cause of messy wires that I see are TV stands with no back. You can hide a lot if you just have a TV stand that you can't see through.



I pulled that shot from guitarwhiz906's gallery. That mess can easily be cleaned up with the right kind of stand.

[ZIPPO]

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

The biggest cause of messy wires that I see are TV stands with no back. You can hide a lot if you just have a TV stand that you can't see through.


That mess can easily be cleaned up with the right kind of stand.

I agree, but there are plenty of people with open racks & excellent wire management . Some either don't try or don't care . If you rent & can't hide cables in walls, cable tracks or raceways are a cheap solution.





I used this http://www.omnimount.com/Product/Spe...t/CMK%20MICRO/
to hide speaker wire. Can be painted any color.





I used this
http://www.sanus.com/us/en/products/...le-tunnel/VMCT
to cover cables connecting my living room tv & receiver( component, composite, toslink, HDMI & antenna cable).





I used some of these
http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...05&cp_id=10520
for bedroom tower wire management( cable ties & Velcro ties, various sizes )

BEFORE







AFTER

[crackinhedz]

ZIPPO, where did you get that AV Rack??

Nice job! Didn't think so many wires could look that clean.

[SlmShdy1]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

ZIPPO, where did you get that AV Rack??

Nice job! Didn't think so many wires could look that clean.

I know what you mean. I was about to say, "Holy crap!" Nice job on that cleanup, ZIPPO. You sure do use a lot of composite cables.

[Hirtenberger]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

ZIPPO, where did you get that AV Rack??

Not sure where he picked it up but the brand is "Middle Atlantic".

[ZIPPO]

http://www.performanceaudio.com/

http://repnet.middleatlantic.com/com...aster_2008.pdf

[Rob J in WNY]

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

The biggest cause of messy wires that I see are TV stands with no back. You can hide a lot if you just have a TV stand that you can't see through.

While I do agree with this statement, most stands with open backs do have rear spines which are made to channel and conceal wires, or can hide them very easily. Taking time to route wires through the spine and carefully looming/organizing them (even with wire ties) makes an impressive difference.

Here's my system, with an 'open-back' stand:


HT systems with 'open-back' AV stands can still conceal wires nicely.

[crazyBLUE]

And I thought I did A good job ZIPPO , I am impressed with the organization of the bundle & groups of wiring ! I can open up the CNC machines at work & all the wiring is nicely zip tied in organized groups & runs !!

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

While I do agree with this statement, most stands with open backs do have rear spines which are made to channel and conceal wires, or can hide them very easily. Taking time to route wires through the spine and carefully looming/organizing them (even with wire ties) makes an impressive difference.

Here's my system, with an 'open-back' stand:
HT systems with 'open-back' AV stands can still conceal wires nicely.[/i][/size]

This is back in the old days for me Rob & yes it can be done !!

[SlmShdy1]

I know it can be done, but most people are lazy . It would be easier for most people to have a stand with a solid back. I'm just saying the messiest setups I see around here happen to involve a stand with no back. Heck, even I have a rack with a see through back.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

I know it can be done, but most people are lazy . It would be easier for most people to have a stand with a solid back. I'm just saying the messiest setups I see around here happen to involve a stand with no back. Heck, even I have a rack with a see through back.

Is you're system wireless ~ Nice & clean looking SlmShdy !

[jdc115]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

While I do agree with this statement, most stands with open backs do have rear spines which are made to channel and conceal wires, or can hide them very easily. Taking time to route wires through the spine and carefully looming/organizing them (even with wire ties) makes an impressive difference.

Here's my system, with an 'open-back' stand:

You inspire me, I never have been able to get the wiring to look as clean as I would like in my setup. I am making some changes soon, most likely a projector and may move equipment out of a TV rack to a stereo rack, but I will aim to may it as clean as yours.

I always found it hard to keep interconnects clean as the sizes are standard, I usually end up with them being too long. But I may find somebody to just custom build exactly what I need when I get around to cleaning everything up.

[Jwilly019]

Zippo, nicely done with the rack. Also, noticed you were in Columbus. Go Bucks!

[liquidice]

first off, Crazy, I have never seen those early pictures of you place. Can't believe how far it's come.

Zippo, completely jealous of your classic skateboards behind your bed. They kinda look like old Gator or Christian Hosoi boards. Maybe?

[SlmShdy1]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Is you're system wireless ~ Nice & clean looking SlmShdy !

Ha, no. I just hate looking at wires. I inspected it from all angles until I was satisfied. Plus, I've heard through the grapevine that you want to stay away from wireless.

[mtbkr]

http://www.techtoolsupply.com/index....n=Custom&ID=43
here are a couple fun videos. a lot of these are kinda boring, the ones on the magnepull and labor saving devices good.

[kman]

I understand that having a closed back looks good and is easier to manage but how do you let the more hot and power hungry devices breathe (ps3 and xbox 360). There is nothing more distracting when watching a movie and you hear the ps3 fan kick into high gear.

[Dase]

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

ZIPPO, where did you get that AV Rack??

Nice job! Didn't think so many wires could look that clean.

Yes, GREAT job ZIPPO!

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

And I thought I did A good job ZIPPO , I am impressed with the organization of the bundle & groups of wiring ! I can open up the CNC machines at work & all the wiring is nicely zip tied in organized groups & runs !!

Crazy you are a wire management nut as well as a wall treatment nut

Originally Posted by SlmShdy1

Ha, no. I just hate looking at wires. I inspected it from all angles until I was satisfied. Plus, I've heard through the grapevine that you want to stay away from wireless.

I hate looking at wires also. This is a FANTASTIC idea for a thread. Cheers to everyone for the ideas!

[xneox]

Originally Posted by -dase-

I hate looking at wires also. This is a FANTASTIC idea for a thread.

+1

I am one of the lazy ones with the closed cabinet

Still, when I first set everything up, I used the holes that were already in the cabinet to run all the wires out. Problem was, when I had the doors open, I could see wires...soooo a month or so ago I broke out the Dremel and cut new holes directly behind each component. No more wires.




The other two compartments look the same (see gallery). I have to update a couple pix because I've added a component and relocated some other stuff. It's a continuously evolving setup.

Despite the large number of wires behind the cabinet, it's relatively neat back there too. Nothing touches the floor, and everything is run in zip-tied bundles. I didn't want my son to be able to reach under the cabinet and get into something he shouldn't.