12/3 SOOW Price

Charc

Well-Known Member
I just got in my latest order from a theatrical supplier. I was interested in the prices of their 12/3 SOOW as I needed 10 x 10ft 2P&G extensions. I found it interesting that 12/3 SOOW is $1.25/ft with 2P&G connectors at $5.50.

Price for me to make one 10' cable: ((10' x $1.25/ft =$12.50))+(2 x $5.50=$11.00))= $23.50.

Price of one prefabricated 10' cable: $20.

I don't understand how that works out? There must be a mistake somewhere in there.

What prices do you guys encounter from local dealers? Is this price breakdown typical?
 
Your paying alot of markup on the plain cable and ends. Think of it like buying wholesale.

Also check the price for a 100' prefab you get the cable and two ends that way.
 
My god, a dealer charged you that?
My local Lowe's sells it for $1.17 per foot.

Was it SOOW or SEOOW (often cheaper but not as good for our purposes) or something else all together?

Pricing on copper has gone thru the roof since the war. I have four main suppliers for it, some suppliers even send me E-Mail warnings as to the next stock market changes in what copper is going for - buy now. I also at times shop around to see who has what in stock at yesterdays price rather than todays price in having to get it. Week to week prices change. Possible that the local hardware store in buying huge bulk and having it pre-cut in some warehouse is cheaper but mostly not due to their own markups.

On plugs and pre-fab cable, it is possible given the above copper prices that the pre-built cables were assembled at a time before prices went up to where they are now for raw from the spool cable. Pricing for cable assemblies than reflects that if normal lengths already in stock.

There is one very important thing to consider when buying pre-built cable assemblies for stage/slip pin. Are they using screw terminal connectors or crimp connectors? Often those making the cables pre-built are using crimp type connectors that no doubt are faster in set up and better for standardization. (Neutrik just came out with a crimp on line TBA my sample.)

While fine for quality wiring normally, these plugs than are one time only use. Get a cut in your cable and attempt to chop off say a foot, you have to buy another plug as the crimped one does not allow you to re-install the wire onto it. Becomes a huge factor even with lighting fixtures where should there be a problem with the whip or socket, you now have to replace not just the whip but the plug. That's a bad thing.
 
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Just bought a 500' spool of it last month - cheaper by the full 250' 500' and 1,000' spool also as a note.


I would retail be about $0.80 per foot for it in also being cheaper but was not my point in general for copper pricing not being so good at this point. Bill's price is good but should have been direct PM and not been listed either for reasons of ControlBooth's policies and in general only good for a limited period of time while his own costs on it hold up. Five years or even a year from now this would unlikely still be the price.

Leaving this part of the post up for the next day or so but probably going to remove it in the next 48 hours.
 
That was SOOW, they only had 12 feet left on the roll.
So angry!!

I ended up with 12/3 SJOOW (which will only be used inside for non show operations)
 
Considering what the price was back in the 80s, with the newer prices they should call it 12/3 SWOON as I near fainted when I saw the price as of late. One thing I am glad I kept from the first time I retired was a ton of cabling. For some reason, everyone wanted the trussing and stuff, but nobody was interested in the cabling except for the truss feeders (Lots of SDN.) So, coming out of retirement, I still had a shed full of everything from 12/3 to 4/5. Other than that odd mold from being coated with beer, all the cables were the same as I left them 12 years before!
 
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Ship, these cables were not prefabricated. He had to fabricate them after receiving the order, leading to a slight delay in getting this order in.

Bill, I would think the price of shipping all that copper would get pretty expensive, pretty quick. (But I'll keep it in mind.)

(I won't mention the specific application of this cable though, the safety police and/or WhatRigger? would likely get on my case... :( )
 
Hmm, that than is interesting, was there a plug installation fee than factored in with making the cable cheaper per foot? I know often plug installation fees add up in cost above what it should be thus easier to drop other prices.

Hmm, remember back like ten years ago when I was looking to buy a spool for personal use I thought large 250' back than thru a local electrical supply house. Even if cheaper than the home center price, I was astounded as to the price for cable. Amazing it was like $0.50 per foot and I thought it unreasonable.

Anyway, best of luck with the project in not wanting to know is often best also. Shipping as said can be a factor added on but often is also absorbed in price of the materials in having free shipping especially if over a certain overall price. Might balance itself out if bought remotely but otherwise keep calling around. Lots of places that sell cable - cable wholesalers/distributers, electrical supply houses, sound companies/distributers, theater suppliers and lots more other places. Always also places like the used lighting gear type websites that at times get full road cases full of the cable and sell it in a bulk of slightly used but still good cable at a discount.
 
FWIW, I paid $1.12/ft. for 12/3 SOOW (Carol Brand) at my local HomeDepot on 02/17/08. Only needed 6' to make two adapters.

Slight hi-jack: Now, what's with this OHSA rule regarding if the printing on the cable has worn away the cable can no longer remain in service? Does that apply to stage lighting cables as well?

I know OSHA does not approve of anything other than a molded cord cap (5-15 plug) on hand-held power tools; has anyone heard that rule?
 
Charc like everything else, the price of cable is extremely variable based on how much you buy. None of us buy as much cable as Ship and so we will never get his price. As part of my huge package I just got 250' at $.76 per foot and connectors for $3.10... but again that was part of a $100k+ package purchase so I will never see those prices again and you won't either.
Your best options are:
a) take Bill up on his offer and get some rest.
b) Call all the electrical supply places in town and try to start a bidding war... you'll be lucky if you can get them down to $.90 if you are buying a 250' spool.
 
Ship hit on what I think is a good idea. Buy two used 50' cables for approx. $35/ea. Cut them into 10' lengths and add 8 mating pairs. At least 4 of your 20 connectors will have been professionally installed, (but check them anyway).

One Internet vendor has used 10' 12/3 StagePin cables for $25.00. I would ask to see a sample if your local vendor is in fact selling 10' 12/3 SOOW with 2P&G connectors installed for $20. Your instincts, as always, are good.
 
Ship hit on what I think is a good idea. Buy two used 50' cables for approx. $35/ea. Cut them into 10' lengths and add 8 mating pairs. At least 4 of your 20 connectors will have been professionally installed, (but check them anyway).
One Internet vendor has used 10' 12/3 StagePin cables for $25.00. I would ask to see a sample if your local vendor is in fact selling 10' 12/3 SOOW with 2P&G connectors installed for $20. Your instincts, as always, are good.

Production Advantage sells 10' 12/3 Stage Pin for $22.81. My bid price was $22. If you can get them at $20 that's a good deal.
 
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