Can you pls offer really cheap and effective ways to keep the buss wires from hanging low under the layout? The buss wires are underneath a foam layout that’s resting on 1x4’s spaced every 16" apart. Using cargo tape is somewhat effective; duct tape is not working. One thought I had was buying “u-shaped” cable staples. I fear that the below might cut into the 14AWG buss wires. Something like this:
If that’s a suitable idea, should I get 3/4" wide ones instead?
Thanks.
Here some samples. More samples. More samples.
A lot of these can be found at your local hardware store or big box store.
I guess I am glad I used a thin sheet of plywood under my foam. A wire staple gun works fine for me but I wouldn’t think it would hold at all in foam.
I’m not sure that what you linked to, will hold securely into just foam. It should not cut the wire though unless you drive a nail into the wire.
I just drilled holes in the 1x4’s
I’m not sure that the plastic staples would stay in the foam if the wires were pulled on.
How about using industrial strength self adhesive Velcro strips? This is a Canadian listing. You should be able to get it for much less:
Cut a piece about 1" long, stick one side on the foam, place the wire on the Velcro, and then put the other side of the velcro over the wire. Don’t peel the backing on the second strip.
Dave
In areas with 1x4 open grid I drill holes through the 1x4s. In areas with shelf brackets and no 1x4 I use 1/2" cable clamps.
I use a stand off stapler with a cable strap (tie wrap) run under it.
i agree with the suggestions that you drill a hole “in the middle” of a 1x4" support
otherwise I suggest a cable staple. can always be removed.
I drill hooles through the cross braces. In between, I bought a bag of those plastic clips for tie wraps (they have adhesive on them, but that only serves to hold it in place while I run a screw up the middle), and then use cable ties through them. Both the attachments and cable ties are cheap, in bulk packs. I don;t cinch the cable ties up tight so I can string other wires through if need be, and they are easier to move around to attach feeders. I probably was going to pull them tight after everything was done.
These are the mounts:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-1-in-Mounting-Base-Natural-100-Pack-HW-4AC/203531920
–Randy
I use a combination of holes drilled through braces and screw eyes which come in a variety of sizes. easy to use…poke a hole with an awl/ice pick and screw in the eye, anywhere You want. The price with not break the bank. Available at any big box store:
https://express.google.com/product/766751129472242988_775663928851417384_102239280
If You already have Your bus set up and hanging…just screw in the eye where You want support and with needle nose pliers bend the eye out some to slip in the wire. Then you don’t have to bend back the eye…leave it bent out, then you can remove any wire you want without having to unscrew any clamp or staple. Been using them since the late 50’s. They come in all sizes and wire thickness, very easy to bend out.
Take Care![:D]
Frank
I have a similar arangement with foam and spaced 1x4s under my layout. I attached a lot of the plastic conduit clamps under the 1x4 and ran my wires thru them. If your wire is already in place, just use one screw to hold the clamp on then you can slide the wire into the clamp. When all wire is where you want it, add another screw to the other end of the clamp to keep it in place.
If all you wire is already in place, I dont see how drilling holes in your 1x4 will help since you cannot run the wires thru unless you disconnect one end of the wire.
An alternate way is to put some of the staples mentioned earlier on bottom of 1x4 and then use zip ties to secure your wire to the staples.
GB (Gardner Bender), most hardware stores carry their products, makes different size cable clamps that you can put around the wires, and then scew the clamp to the 1x4s.
I used the stand-off staples, and in some places, cable zip ties, in some places I drill holes in the supports. My bench started out as a heavy built work bench, with 2" foam on the top.
Mike.
Ditto. It’s the cheapest method before purchasing anything else, be it plastic or metal retainers, pipe strapping, conduit, etc.
Agreed, unless, the wiring is already in place, which seems to be the situation with the OP.
Mike.
Don’t ever use duct tape on wires. It’s just a sticky gooey mess. The proper tape to use on wires is gaffer’s tape but it is for temporary use only.
The problem with drilling holes is that if you have to make a change you might have to pull all of the wire completely out and start all over again.
The problem with the big Romex straps (staple) that someone posted above is that they tend to split 1x4s and damage them. And they don’t really keep the wire tight unless you hammer them in all of the way. They are made for Romex and can easily damage single wires. Also you might not have space to hammer them in or want to disturb the layout with the banging.
The cable clamps also require hammering. You might be able to replace the nail with a screw. So they might work out ok.
I think one of the easiest and cheapest solutions like someone else suggested above is to use a staple gun to staple a twist tie (from a box of garbage bags) to the bottom of the 1x4s and use it to tie up the wires. These can easily be untwisted for future changes.
In the Electronics section of bothe Frye’s Electronics and Home Depot they sell plastic wire guides that will form a closed loop when fastened to something. Frye’s actually has a pretty large selection of DPDT switches, resistors, and LED’s.
To clarify my post. My stapler has an attachment that stops the staple from being driven flush. It is made for stapling a wire without damaging it. If I use that, then a cable strap slides easily under it. I use cable straps but a twist tie or even a short piece of wire would work just as well.
I ran my bus along the inside of the outer edge of the layout. I attached the wires with cup hooks that held the wires fairly tight against the inside edge. That way when it comes time to attach the feeder wires, I can unhook them and work on them without crawling under the layout. They seem to be tightly secure in this configuration.
Great suggestions everyone! The wires aren’t in place so I can easily move them around. I like the idea of using hooks drilled into the 1x4s underneath the layout. The twist ties are another helpful suggestion.
The “U” shaped staples are what I thought to use originally. My concern is they would cut into the buss wires but probably not. There’s no reason to us something too heavy since the wires might get moved around as the layout grows.
In building my current HO (10x15 two level) layout I drilled a plethora of 1/2 inch holes in the many, many 1x4 cross members. This was done as the benchwork was built, anticipating how many holes would be needed (and adding some extra).
The results (to me) are terrific. Bus wiring has separate “holes”, turnout wiring separate ones, and future signal wiring has separate ones as well.