Round IDE cable guide.

Well its part 2 to my sleeving guides, LOL. After doing my PSU sleeving guide I decided the flat IDE cables had to go to improve the airflow inside my case. I had some left over sleeving material from the PSU guide so I decided to round my IDE cables. You can buy round IDE cables pretty cheap, but if you’re like me (Cheap) or just like to do things yourself, you round the flat ones you already have. Let the fun begin!

I do not take any responsibility if you get hurt or your cables are damaged. I do not guarantee your cables will be useable afterwards (Mine work and I haven’t had any problems out of them). DO AT YOUR OWN RISK!

Here is what you’re going to need:

•An IDE cable of course!
•A razor blade or some kind of utility knife.
•Â½â€ sleeving material
•Â½â€ heat shrink
•A lighter or heat gun.
•According to OSHA, you need cut resistant gloves, LMAO!

Now the fun part!!

Tip: I would practice on a couple cables before attempting to round some more expensive cables.

If you notice the cable is made up of a lot of little wires coated in insulation.


The object of this step is to take the utility knife and separate the wires. The number of wires you separate is up to you. I separated the wires in 5 wire sections, but I found 3 wires roll up better when you sleeve them. Count over 3 or 5 wires, take the utility knife and cut between the wires being careful not to cut into one of the wires just the insulation.

Note: If you accidentally cut into the wire, you can wrap that section with electrical tape.


Only make a small enough incision (cut) to get your pinky finger threw. Now take the cable in one hand and pull apart the section you just cut. Don’t worry the insulation will separate just like it was cut. Keep pulling the sections apart until you get about ¾†- ½†from the connector.


Now count over 3-5 wires and repeat the cutting procedure above. After you have all the sections separated it should look like this.


Now measure out the length of sleeving material you are going to need. I cut mine so that the ends of the sleeving would be about 1 ¼†from the ends of the connectors. Take the connector and roll the wires along side of it. Take the sleeving and slide over the connector.



Once you have the sleeving on, go ahead and cut two 1†pieces of the ½†heat shrink, and slide it over the connector and wires.


You want the heat shrink to cover ½†of the sleeving and ½†of the wires. +After getting the heat shrink where you want them, use the lighter or heat gun and shrink it down. Be careful to not melt the insulation or the sleeving. Once you have it done it should look something like this, but better than mine. LOL


Now if you have a multiple section IDE cable like I have, go ahead and do the other section just like you did the previous section.


Here are some before and after pictures.



Here are some other variations of the round IDE cable.

Using Wire loom: Use the same procedures as above to prepare the cable. Instead of using the sleeving material, use wire loom. Apply the loom around the cable and then wrap the ends of the loom in electrical tape.


Another variation, my least favorite, wrap the cable in electrical tape: Use the same procedures as above to prepare the cable. Instead of using the sleeving material, wrap the cable in electrical tape.


Thanks, for checking out my cable rounding guide!! If you have any questions, suggestions, or if you notice anything wrong, feel free to email me at [email protected] or stop by the forums at Overclock.net. And post it

Cough Cough, STICKY!

I say this with lots of love Archer, but you have way too much free time
good job though, exactly how I would've gone about it

Thanks.

LMAO, You want to know the bad part about it, I had enough free time at work to do it! I love my job.

that's even more depressing whish I could get a job where I had time to sleeve cables...speaking of which, just bought some crap to do that, probably do it this weekend though, looks like it might take a while with my PSU and its 80 miles of cables

You forgot a few pointers.

Generally use 40-wire ribbon cable to make round IDEs.
Have 1 or 2 extra cablse to practice cutting in case of mistakes.
Only try 80 wire ribbon cables after you have sade several 40 wires without cutting the wires.

Utherwise it was good, you might want to add a portion for the true cheapskates where you use electrical tape, the tape would be bood incase any wires are cut.

Thanks, i'll have to work them suggestions in there somewhere.

I got some more pictures of other variations, 1 with electrical tape and 1 using wire loom, as you requested. LOL

As soon as i get them to Admin, I will put them in the guide.

Ok I got the guide updated with 2 different variations of round IDE cables on the cheap side.

Made a note about practicing a couple times before attempting more expensive cables

And about using electrical tape in case you cut the insulation from one of the wires.

you could also use a combination of Loom/sleeve/E-Tape....

use diferent colors to match your theme... like red loom with blue sleeve
for a superman theme that way you have a background color