1001 uses for old brake (and gear) cables

[Galactic]

TL;DR any ideas for what to do with old bowden cables and lengthy cut-offs of new cables?

Just fitted a new brake cable for the first time in well over a decade (my main bike has hydraulic rim brakes, and only my station hack still uses bowdens; it doesn't get much use, so the brakes and ancillary components last forever). Since you can't get 'front' brake cables any more, I've been left with over a 1.5m of pristine bowden cable. It seems a shame to throw it away, but a careful search of these forums reveals only one suggestion:

For unclogging on a ride, which is normally due to a mixture of mud and leaves or twigs, rarely mud alone, I keep a piece of old brake cable outer in the on-bike toolkit.

Considering the success of the Recycling Inner Tubes viewtopic.php?t=151485 thread a couple of years ago, I am relying on all of you to collectively come up with 1001 uses for old brake (and gear) cables. So hit me with your ideas before the cut offs land in the bin.

[Vorpal]

I'm using some brake cables to lead & support my wisteria

[Galactic]

I'm using some brake cables to lead & support my wisteria

Now that's interesting. How are you tying them to whatever is above? Staples?

[Vorpal]

I'm using some brake cables to lead & support my wisteria

Now that's interesting. How are you tying them to whatever is above? Staples?

I held one end (the one with the round termination) in place with repurposed cabinet door striker plates (just a bit of flat metal with 2 screw holes), then strung it through some eyelet screws. It hangs down, so there's no need to secure the other end.

[Cadence]

If you don't have a chain quick-link removal tool (or can't find it when you need it!), cut a piece of cable about 6 inches long. Poke each end through the link and pull together, then twist with pliers to release the link.

[Bmblbzzz]

As string for keeping bundles of other spares together.

[853]

For clearing blocked sinks. Frayed rear brake cable is particularly useful

[rotavator]

When cutting an outer cable, insert an offcut inner to prevent the outer being crushed.

[mattsccm]

Garden ties. Extending fencing.

[peetee]

I created plant pot supports for a garden wall with an old cable and the innards of a single ‘chocolate block’ electrical connector.

[PT1029]

Similar to 853, but for clearing the drainage hole inside the fridge.

[Mike Sales]

It is possible to put an eye splice in wire rope. I have a book with details of some methods. Perhaps I should get round to trying.

[aflook]

Don’t know about cable but old spokes keep local cats from using the flower beds as a toilet and worn out chain rings act as bird scarers /decorations.

Maybe you could use the cables as picture wire?

[Redvee]

A single ‘chocolate block’ electrical connector and an old cable threaded through the holes in the door of my work locker make a good place to clip pens and hang other useful things that would get lost in the depths of my locker.

[rjb]

Someone suggested using it in your strimmer. I know from experience having tried it it dosent work. The 2mm wire separates into its individual cores and fans out making it useless in this respect.
I keep old gear cables to lengthen them using a choc block connector for use on the tandem.