I was just in our local electrical store searching for outlet boxes and the
like. I noticed an interesting (Dymo) label machine for sale at the front
desk. Didn't ask the price, but it looked expensive, especially in the
electrical specialty store. Afterwards, I went to Staples and found a
Brothers labeler for $100 with a $50 rebate that looked quite similar.
http://www.imagesupply.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=125&idproduct=789&OVRAW=pt-1400&OVKEY=pt%201400&OVMTC=standard
My interest is mostly in labeling computer cables. I've used colored
electrical tape at times, but a ring-link wrap of tape starts to come apart
fairly quickly. The unit has various widths and a heavy duty (TZ) adhesive
tape. Has anyone had experience with these devices.

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

'I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that
prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but
is to be, may have... destinies that he does not understand."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

'I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that
prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but
is to be, may have... destinies that he does not understand."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes
--
Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

I've used a P-Touch labeler for years -- I like it a lot better
than the Brady Wire Marker I have that was intended for the purpose.

I apply the labels along the wire, then cover them with transparent
packing tape. Or I apply the label like a flag and stick it over to
itself. Both of these methods work well, and are a lot cheaper and
more flexible than the Brady device.


W. Watson wrote:

My interest is mostly in labeling computer cables. I've used colored
electrical tape at times, but a ring-link wrap of tape starts to come apart
fairly quickly. The unit has various widths and a heavy duty (TZ) adhesive
tape. Has anyone had experience with these devices.

Hi!

Has anyone had experience with these devices.

Yes. I have used one of the Brother P-Touch models for labeling many
different things, including computer cables. It works pretty well, although
heat beyond that of "normal" or even "high" room temperature seems to cause
problems with the adhesive backing.

William

William R. Walsh wrote:
Hi!

Has anyone had experience with these devices.

Yes. I have used one of the Brother P-Touch models for labeling many
different things, including computer cables. It works pretty well, although
heat beyond that of "normal" or even "high" room temperature seems to cause
problems with the adhesive backing.

William


That may not be so good for me then. I have a fair amount of my computer
eqpt in a small building that can get very warm in our summers, and it has
no air conditionin.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

'I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that
prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but
is to be, may have... destinies that he does not understand."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes
--
Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

The Brady labels don't do all that well under those conditions
either. Overwrap the label with tape and it won't come off.

W. Watson wrote:

That may not be so good for me then. I have a fair amount of my computer
eqpt in a small building that can get very warm in our summers, and it
has no air conditionin.

Mike Berger wrote:
The Brady labels don't do all that well under those conditions
either. Overwrap the label with tape and it won't come off.

W. Watson wrote:

That may not be so good for me then. I have a fair amount of my
computer eqpt in a small building that can get very warm in our
summers, and it has no air conditionin.
The best choice would be 3M transparent scotch tape? I think I estimated the
cost of a label would be about 10 center/inch. Is that about right?


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

'I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that
prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but
is to be, may have... destinies that he does not understand."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes
--
Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

On Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:01:26 GMT, "W. Watson"
wrote:

I was just in our local electrical store searching for outlet boxes and the
like. I noticed an interesting (Dymo) label machine for sale at the front
desk. Didn't ask the price, but it looked expensive, especially in the
electrical specialty store. Afterwards, I went to Staples and found a
Brothers labeler for $100 with a $50 rebate that looked quite similar.
http://www.imagesupply.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=125&idproduct=789&OVRAW=pt-1400&OVKEY=pt%201400&OVMTC=standard
My interest is mostly in labeling computer cables. I've used colored
electrical tape at times, but a ring-link wrap of tape starts to come apart
fairly quickly. The unit has various widths and a heavy duty (TZ) adhesive
tape. Has anyone had experience with these devices.



If you are making up your own cables the best solution is to apply the
label lengthwise and use thinwall clear heatshrink tubing to protect
it. Of course, for cables already terminated that isn't an option.

http://www.qualtekusa.com/catalog/Tu...UCT-PDF/Q1.pdf or similar

Hi!

That may not be so good for me then. I have a fair amount of my
computer eqpt in a small building that can get very warm in our
summers, and it has no air conditionin.

The good news is that while the adhesive has gotten soft, I haven't actually
had a P-Touch label fall off of any wire or cable yet. The most severe
problem has been labels that become loose and slide down the cable slightly.
I think you might be able to use them without problem, even in an area
without air conditioning. Some of mine are in use on the inside and outside
of a cable TV junction box on the side of my house.

William

"William R. Walsh" m) writes:
Hi!

That may not be so good for me then. I have a fair amount of my
computer eqpt in a small building that can get very warm in our
summers, and it has no air conditionin.

The good news is that while the adhesive has gotten soft, I haven't actually
had a P-Touch label fall off of any wire or cable yet. The most severe
problem has been labels that become loose and slide down the cable slightly.
I think you might be able to use them without problem, even in an area
without air conditioning. Some of mine are in use on the inside and outside
of a cable TV junction box on the side of my house.

William


When I got one of those labellers at a garage sale, I guess it was May
of 2005, out of curiosity I made up a label (the first tape doesn't
last long, you want to play with it, then you learn the tapes can
be expensive) and put it on a lawn chair. It sits out in the sun and
rain all spring through fall (but comes in during the winter) and
after two summers the label is still there and I can't say I've noticed
fading. It's not a conclusive test, but the labels do seem to stand
up.

Michael

Ross Herbert wrote:
On Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:01:26 GMT, "W. Watson"
wrote:

I was just in our local electrical store searching for outlet boxes and the
like. I noticed an interesting (Dymo) label machine for sale at the front
desk. Didn't ask the price, but it looked expensive, especially in the
electrical specialty store. Afterwards, I went to Staples and found a
Brothers labeler for $100 with a $50 rebate that looked quite similar.
http://www.imagesupply.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=125&idproduct=789&OVRAW=pt-1400&OVKEY=pt%201400&OVMTC=standard
My interest is mostly in labeling computer cables. I've used colored
electrical tape at times, but a ring-link wrap of tape starts to come apart
fairly quickly. The unit has various widths and a heavy duty (TZ) adhesive
tape. Has anyone had experience with these devices.



If you are making up your own cables the best solution is to apply the
label lengthwise and use thinwall clear heatshrink tubing to protect
it. Of course, for cables already terminated that isn't an option.

http://www.qualtekusa.com/catalog/Tu...UCT-PDF/Q1.pdf or similar
I'm not familiar with it. Do I need something like a hair dryer to shrink it?


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

'I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that
prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but
is to be, may have... destinies that he does not understand."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes
--
Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

Michael Black wrote:
"William R. Walsh" m) writes:
Hi!

That may not be so good for me then. I have a fair amount of my
computer eqpt in a small building that can get very warm in our
summers, and it has no air conditionin.
The good news is that while the adhesive has gotten soft, I haven't actually
had a P-Touch label fall off of any wire or cable yet. The most severe
problem has been labels that become loose and slide down the cable slightly.
I think you might be able to use them without problem, even in an area
without air conditioning. Some of mine are in use on the inside and outside
of a cable TV junction box on the side of my house.

William


When I got one of those labellers at a garage sale, I guess it was May
of 2005, out of curiosity I made up a label (the first tape doesn't
last long, you want to play with it, then you learn the tapes can
be expensive) and put it on a lawn chair. It sits out in the sun and
rain all spring through fall (but comes in during the winter) and
after two summers the label is still there and I can't say I've noticed
fading. It's not a conclusive test, but the labels do seem to stand
up.

Michael


That's encouraging.


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

'I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that
prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but
is to be, may have... destinies that he does not understand."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes
--
Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

William R. Walsh wrote:
Hi!

That may not be so good for me then. I have a fair amount of my
computer eqpt in a small building that can get very warm in our
summers, and it has no air conditionin.

The good news is that while the adhesive has gotten soft, I haven't actually
had a P-Touch label fall off of any wire or cable yet. The most severe
problem has been labels that become loose and slide down the cable slightly.
I think you might be able to use them without problem, even in an area
without air conditioning. Some of mine are in use on the inside and outside
of a cable TV junction box on the side of my house.

William


I thinking I'm moving towards a buy on this.

All this brings up a related question, which I might address in a separate
post. I have 15-20 PC cables not in use, and sometimes they are not easily
identifible. Is there some procedure for identifying them? I never "quite"
understood why the mfgers didn't put some code on them. $$$


Wayne T. Watson (Watson Adventures, Prop., Nevada City, CA)
(121.015 Deg. W, 39.262 Deg. N) GMT-8 hr std. time)
Obz Site: 39° 15' 7" N, 121° 2' 32" W, 2700 feet

'I think it not improbable that man, like the grub that
prepares a chamber for the winged thing it has never seen but
is to be, may have... destinies that he does not understand."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes
--
Web Page: home.earthlink.net/~mtnviews

On Thu, 08 Feb 2007 05:56:10 -0800, "W. Watson"
wrote:

Ross Herbert wrote:
On Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:01:26 GMT, "W. Watson"
wrote:

I was just in our local electrical store searching for outlet boxes and the
like. I noticed an interesting (Dymo) label machine for sale at the front
desk. Didn't ask the price, but it looked expensive, especially in the
electrical specialty store. Afterwards, I went to Staples and found a
Brothers labeler for $100 with a $50 rebate that looked quite similar.
http://www.imagesupply.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=125&idproduct=789&OVRAW=pt-1400&OVKEY=pt%201400&OVMTC=standard
My interest is mostly in labeling computer cables. I've used colored
electrical tape at times, but a ring-link wrap of tape starts to come apart
fairly quickly. The unit has various widths and a heavy duty (TZ) adhesive
tape. Has anyone had experience with these devices.



If you are making up your own cables the best solution is to apply the
label lengthwise and use thinwall clear heatshrink tubing to protect
it. Of course, for cables already terminated that isn't an option.

http://www.qualtekusa.com/catalog/Tu...UCT-PDF/Q1.pdf or similar
I'm not familiar with it. Do I need something like a hair dryer to shrink it?


A hot air gun is preferable.

See http://cableorganizer.com/heat-guns/#B

Ross Herbert wrote:

On Thu, 08 Feb 2007 05:56:10 -0800, "W. Watson"
wrote:

Ross Herbert wrote:
On Tue, 06 Feb 2007 12:01:26 GMT, "W. Watson"
wrote:

I was just in our local electrical store searching for outlet boxes and the
like. I noticed an interesting (Dymo) label machine for sale at the front
desk. Didn't ask the price, but it looked expensive, especially in the
electrical specialty store. Afterwards, I went to Staples and found a
Brothers labeler for $100 with a $50 rebate that looked quite similar.
http://www.imagesupply.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=125&idproduct=789&OVRAW=pt-1400&OVKEY=pt%201400&OVMTC=standard
My interest is mostly in labeling computer cables. I've used colored
electrical tape at times, but a ring-link wrap of tape starts to come apart
fairly quickly. The unit has various widths and a heavy duty (TZ) adhesive
tape. Has anyone had experience with these devices.



If you are making up your own cables the best solution is to apply the
label lengthwise and use thinwall clear heatshrink tubing to protect
it. Of course, for cables already terminated that isn't an option.

http://www.qualtekusa.com/catalog/Tu...UCT-PDF/Q1.pdf or similar
I'm not familiar with it. Do I need something like a hair dryer to shrink it?


A hot air gun is preferable.

See http://cableorganizer.com/heat-guns/#B


http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=heatgun
for $10 US while its on sale at Harbor Freight.


--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida