How To Make Retractable Cables! Headphones, Microphones, USB, Anything!

In this video I will show you how to make retractable headphones, microphone, usb cables! This works with any cable as long as it can fit inside the mechanism!

Turn your tangled, messy cables into something more manageable and organized in minutes!

You will need a retractable cable mechanism from the dollar store, or any place you desire. Do your best to match the cable length with the cables you are going to make retractable for the best results!

Here are some already made versatile retractable USB cables. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you):

Retractable 3 in 1 Multi -USB Cable:

Retractable 4 in 1 Multi-USB Cable:

Follow along in the video for the step by step instructions and be sure to leave comments and questions below!

Enjoy your new retractable headphones, microphone, or USB cables!

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#diy #hack #headphones

[EmbraceMaking]

Here are some already made versatile retractable USB cables. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you):

Retractable 3 in 1 Multi -USB Cable:

Retractable 4 in 1 Multi-USB Cable:

[crystal]

Was trying to fix my computer mouse that has this same retractable reel mechanism and this was the only helpful video I found because it shows the inside & how it works - thanks a bunch!
Got some sore fingers now haha

[PsiQss]

I'd prefer if it showed how to make one from scratch, given the particular cable dimensions, but this is also a bit helpful.

[___]

My retractable charger's cover accidentally popped and it didn't retract when I try to fix it and I thought I damaged it but gladly it didn't. I came across your video, and it worked! I'm glad I didn't lost any parts. My charger is now fixed. Thank you so much for the great help!

[Diamondbac]

You saved me a few bucks but it was worth knowing how this thing works. Couldn't believe there was a ball bearing that small inside. Almost lost it when I opened the unit up. I don't understand the mechanics fully, but just know that the ball bearing rolls along the track and jams up at certain points. Quite ingenious really.

[copernicus]

I was trying to do the same thing for my headset but I wasn't able to figure out what should be the arrangement of the spring. Thank you dude. Great video.

[ellen]

The tiny ball bearing fell out of the spool serving a retractable USB cable which in turns serves my MobileMouse. Because of this video, I was able to put the ball bearing back in its correct position. Many thanks.

[wajidmehmood]

did not skip the ad for the first time, did not completely made what i liked but i managed to make my earphones wire more than half folded! cheers!!

[SixMeter]

Thank you for showing how that works! Now I need to build a bigger version for coax cables.

[ThePhilbox]

The iron. Brilliant! I have a 3d printer so can take the mechanism out and make a snazzy looking assembly for it. Shop light here i come!

[cherylfrance]

Thank you very much-I have a headlamp with this type of retractable cable and it fell apart-this is the only source I found to show how I might fix it. My only criticism is that you have large hands and they are in the way of getting a good view of exactly how the spring should be situated. I would have appreciated some views of the spring from different angles without your hands in the way. But overall, very helpful. Thank you.

[allesfalls]

Saying it is frustrating was an understatement lol but thank you so much for this video, I was able to fix my charger rather quickly with those explanations

[Clyman]

Thanks! I was able to fix a mouse thanks to you, this mecanism is so satisfying when it works well, couldn't let it go to the trash without trying to fix it first.

[persianchris]

Thanks for the video. Here's 3 TIPS that I hope will help:


1) When trying to find the middle point, simply take the cable end and bend it in half to where your USB male end is touching the other end (a cpu mouse in my case). Then you'll know your half way point


2) For the challenging task of winding the spring. First, I found it to be a bit annoying since the two flapping cable ends are in your way as well as having to hold it in place, etc. So what I did was create some slack with the cable ends and then wrap them around my finger so I didn't have to worry about it. This actaully helped me wind it faster/better! And just for clarification, this was during the step that was just before putting the ball bearing in place + tightening the screw.


3) When operating your cable retracting tool, remember not to hold the ends and do the pulling (This can/will cause damage to your wire, and in my previous cases had broke through the cheap soldering job). Instead, place your fingers a few inches into the wire (NOT THE ENDS!) and this will avoid effecting any end point connections.

[mattecc]

A tip for getting the spring wound and re-installed:

I was able to do this on my 5th try (about 20 minutes total) with this method:

-- Build a simple spring winding jig --

I used a scrap of wood and two brad nails (also pliers, a flathead screwdriver and something to cut the heads off the nails). Put the nails into the wood so that the inner "s-curve" hooks onto both. Once the position is correct, cut off the heads of the nails at a height maybe twice the width of the spring. Place the spring flat against the wood, hooking onto the nails with the inner "s-curve" and holding the tail end with fingers, turn the piece of wood, which will wind the spring. This allows for a pretty tight wind.

To remove, pinch the spring with some small pliers about 2/3 the way down the width of the spring (you want to leave some space on the bottom so you can put the spring back in the housing without the pliers getting in the way) and slide a flathead screwdriver under the spring to start to pry the spring up off the wood on both sides. Once you have some separation between the spring and the jig, but it is still on the nails, put the flathead screwdriver all the way underneath so that when you lift, the coil stays in the same plane. With the heads of the nails removed you can now lift with the screwdriver and it should slide right off the jig, still gripped by the pliers. You should now be able to partially insert the spring back in the housing, where the housing should keep the spring wound. You can now let go with the pliers, push the spring fully into the housing, and take a deep breath, the hard part is over. You still need to hook the outside anchor, but this was pretty easy and got this on my 2nd try.

Full disclosure. My cable ended up being too thick and would stick in the openings so I wasn't able to fully get this solution working, but I did get it re-assembled successfully at least.

[calendil]

How To Make Retractable Cables: Buy one and use it for what you what to use it for.. Great guide :P

[LaikasFriend]

i have one and it broke and i was super bummed, so your video is really helpful!! thank you!! :D

[JairoJoaquínPalominoQuispe]

thx man u really helped me its surprising how this isnt anywhere else

[HutjeSiu]

genius! been looking for product that can retract my long ass cables for so long, couldnt find one, now i can just get one of those cheap retractable cable and replace mine into it

[adamjones]

created a platform for a minifridge in my minivan that sits between the front seats and slides to the back seats.... this is the info I needed to make a 12v retractable cable for it when it slides back :D Thanks!