Had the same problem in a house full of kids. I started doing that tuck method you mentioned and it really does work. It gets rid of that sharp edge completely. I mean, @the_viola is right, it looks clean and finished when you do it well. The key for me is using a sharp blade and taking my time to get a smooth tuck. It just makes the whole thing safer and you don't have to buy new hardware.

But coiled cables can act like an inductor, messing with the current flow. That can cause a weak or sputtering arc, which is a real problem for a clean weld. Sometimes the neatest setup isn't the best for the actual work.

My uncle is a tailor and he once told me the way I seam carpet is the same as joining suit fabric, you have to match the pattern and hide the line completely. It made me check my work for weeks after. Those cross field connections are rare but they stick with you. Makes you realize a lot of trades are just solving the same problems on different materials.

Got me wondering... what exactly counts as "gentle" in that case. Like are we talking a specific number of wipes with the eraser or just a light touch. I've seen people go at it like they're sanding wood and that can't be right. The goal is to clean oxidation, not remove the plating. If the plating wears through, you're just making a bigger problem for later.

Rushing always felt like moving forward, but it's really just kicking the can down the road... you end up walking the same stretch over and over. The real skill is spotting the shaky foundation before you even start building on top of it.