I apologize if this is obvious, and I’m just missing it… 
…but, I can’t seem to find it in any of the plans. How long is the ribbon cable when it is lying flat? Thanks!
30" is the size most use
Thanks.
What gauge wire do you suppose each wire in the ribbon is? (I’m planning on making my own, that’s why I ask).
28 AWG , solidgoldcaddy makes some real nice GB1 cables if you don’t want to go to the bother of trying to make one yourself. I sell GB2 twisted Spectra strip cable if your bulding a GB2 pack
Thanks Colin.
The GB2 cable must use the 28AWG, I use 18AWG on the GB1 cables. I would advise against making a GB2 cable as it is pretty intricate and braided all over. I wish I was taking orders on cables right now, but I am out of time for my own props. The possibility of another run before Halloween may still happen. I will keep the topic up to date.
I saw your cables, solidgoldcaddy, and they are awesome. However, even if you were taking orders, I just can’t afford that right now. Aside from that, I want to try and do as much as possible on my own. I’m going for a GB1 pack.
Thanks!
Youll be fine then. Basically, the main colored wires can be bought at alot of auto shops, autozone, napa, etc, for cheap. Then, just use clear packing tape. Cheap and works almost the same. Good luck. Search for GB1 ribbon cable topics and youll find all the info you need.
Packing tape, huh? I wondered what it was you used. You must have a pretty good quality packing tape for it to stay together. It would seem after a while the two tapes might try to peel apart from each other?
Thanks for the help!
Wire size and gauge are only partly related. You can’t go by gauge if you are trying to match the size of the GB1 wires because the insulation can make the OD of wires of the same gauge differ drastically.
I dont use packing tape, but it will work for making your own custom cable on a budget.
Namebrand is right about the wire thickness. But your not on 100% screen accuracy anyway, so make it how you want.
I was browsing through Menard’s and stopped at a clearance section and they had 35 feet of 18AWG for $2.79, so I got it. I’m not going for 100% screen accuracy, because a lot of the pack will be made with found/home made items. I’m just going for as close to screen accuracy as possible while still keeping it within a cheap budget. 
I was wondering about laminating instead of tape, but I think the only places that do laminating around here have a machine that you run the thing to be laminated through rather than lay it on an “iron” sort of thing and press it down. The running through type wouldn’t work, since the wire would get all messed up. :sigh:
Thanks for all the help. 