What's you Cable Tie Cutter - For Nice Flush Cuts..

[bcrewcaptain@]

not sure where I even got them, but I use a couple sets of these in the toolbags

 

[mobiledynamics]

I buy Pan-Tys in bulk. It's cheaper. So it's generally all 11" 18lb and 40lb ty raps.

Those end nippers/ nail clipper may work, but not so good when trying to cut off *extra slack off the zip tie. Yeah, I can use bshorter ones for smaller diameters - but it's easier to just order in bulk and cheaper to boot !

 

[larry_g]

Being from an industrial electronics background I have done thousands of ty-wraps. A good sharp cutter is good but technique is also important. I learned to cut the tail across the wide way and it virtually never leaves a sharp on the end. As shown in the picture above, the cut is across the narrow direction. Try rotating your cutters 90* and cutting across the wide direction.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Imwalkin]

I cut the ends and then melt. Leaves it nice and rounded. I imagine this would **** it you had a ton to do.

 

[Slednut]

As a telephone transmission tech I have used thousands of ty-raps. I use these flush cuts.

Another way to get a good flush cut is to score the end with a utility knife and simply break the tail off.

I will never use a ty-rap that makes a zipping noise, Thomas and Betts ty-raps are all we use. In an outdoor application black ty-raps will outlast any other make.

 

[Prototyper]

I suppose in my line of work, as a diesel mechanic, it has never been a huge concern to cleanly cut a zip tie. Heh

Really? Do you use vise grips on fuel injector lines too? It doesn't take any more time to do it right, it just takes the right tool for the job. Better yet, use one of the guns shown above, and it's much faster to install them.

Sharp, jagged, or god forbid...UNCUT Ty Wraps are a huge indicator of hack work in my world.

 

[Thumper68]

I have installed 100's of thousands of zip ties and I like the toe nail clipper, leaves a nice not sharp rounded profile.
The guns are nice but not easy to use when you are half way through a ceiling tile and reaching through hvac, pipes, raceway etc...

The nail clippers fit in my pocket.

 

[mobiledynamics]

Just went through my stash and I've decided.....

The ideal-favorite style cutter for me is a ANGLED flush cutting small electronics cutter.
The nixes the Knipex as I don't believe they offer angled in this dept.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I use diagonal cutters or electricians snips.
Slednut, I am with you there, love the TNB Ty Raps.

 

[bob from indiana]

At work we have both Panduit and Paladin wire tie guns. We tried the H.F. ones and they were a COMPLETE failure. They are the only thing I have used from H.F. that I found totaly useless. They left about 5/8" of tie hanging out. If I have only have to cut a few I use my Channel Lock 436 dykes and a pair of pliers to put some tension on them and cut them off flush.

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

I once worked at an off-road (Baja type) fab shop and we were nearly fired if we didn't cut them flush. Usually with the flush cut dykes or a razor or box knife.

Ditto. Working for an IndyCar team, I nearly got my *** handed to me for doing so. Never knew there were flush cuts until then. Boss man informed me when the car's in an accident, and you're thrashing to fix it and get it back together, you're working side by side 6 other guys and hands inside confined spaces. Last thing we need is gashed up hands as a distraction.

Found some $2 ones at Harbor Freight that have actually worked well. They are identical to the Menards ones pictures above.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Best wire tie tool I've ever used. Had it for over 25 years (!). T&B WT2-TB. Smaller than any of the guns. Squeeze it like a syringe until you get the tension you want, hold the tension on the last squeeze & twist. Cuts it off flush...

Tommy

 

[BlindViper]

I made my own flush dykes all I did was grind the back side.

 

[RumT]

I have had one of these for about ten years now. They are great for zip ties.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I get the neat aspect of being zipped all the same direction, cut at same length, etc. I always cut mine except for when I'm using them as electrical cord wraps. That is what the HF ones are good for. I just use my dykes, but it's just home use.

 

[torqueman2002]

Best wire tie tool I've ever used. Had it for over 25 years (!). T&B WT2-TB. Smaller than any of the guns. Squeeze it like a syringe until you get the tension you want, hold the tension on the last squeeze & twist. Cuts it off flush...

Tommy

HD version
$51 + Free S&H

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Betts-WT2-TB-50-120-Pound-Installation/dp/B007VBZCCC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1388948843&sr=8-3&keywords=T%26B+WT2-TB

L Duty version
$36.80
http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Betts-WT1-TB-18-25-Pound-Installation/dp/B0025Q5XMW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_1

 

[yfzjim]

This is my goto

 

[trxrx7]

One of my all time favorite tools, Channellock No 357

^^^^this!! any end cutter will cut flush!

 

[fury9]

Large toe nail clippers!

That's what I use, it kind of makes them a little rounded too!

 

[UncleDirty]

I love my Snap On flush cuts

 

[bry@n]

I usully take linesman's and twist them. Ends up making a cut beneath.

 

[vagabondmidget]

I use these mostly

But that's mostly because I worked in a data center, no zip ties allowed. Lacing cord on power and velcro on data. Same habits have moved to the car.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I pride myself on doing things with precision and as clean as possible. However, am I missing something by not making sure my zip ties are cut nice and flush? (That's kind of a serious and fececious question at the same time). I have always and for everything cut my zip ties with a pair of dikes. C'mon my fellow garage junkies, what am I missing? Only thing I can gather is the small potential that someone will cut themselves on an uncircumcised...ah em...uncut...ah em...non flush cut tie.

Regardless, I do like the look of those revlon eyebrow/cuticle/nail/toe hair cutter. I could see that having many uses. Kind of like the hair dryer I just swiped from my wife. Perfect for those jobs where just a little heat is enough.

When you do stuff like this:

And especially in tight environments like this:

It is critical to get the nub as short and clean as possible. I have a scar on the back of my hand from a zip tie. They cut like a razor if a sharp edge is left.

The specialty tools are really good for this, but have a size limitation. They wont often fit into tight areas, so a cutter is necessary.

I use one like these:

Electronics cutters:

Cut the wide way, as mentioned, eliminates sharp edges, and keeps the flush with flush cut pliers. Do not use wire cutters (Dykes -Alternate Lifestyle Pliers) as you likely have already damaged the cutting surface and they will leave a ragged edge.

Jim

 

[Greatbear]

Excelite, Snap-on or Erem side cutters.

 

[vivalavaca13]

Have any of y'all tried cable lacing?
For standard everyday cable management its awesome, plus since you do not have the plastic head of the zip tie, it is about as flush as you can get.

 

[~smokey~]

Have any of y'all tried cable lacing?
For standard everyday cable management its awesome, plus since you do not have the plastic head of the zip tie, it is about as flush as you can get.

1st I've heard of it, can you explain ?

 

[mobiledynamics]

So my Knipex cutter came in...and we'll it just plain ***** for the given application. I made a couple test cuts and knew immediately it was not going to work . Grrr. Siggh. It's a *flush* cutter but it is not leaving nice flush *no jagged edges - break your skin* cuts.

What a disappointment . You know that giddy feeling you get when you order a tool ;-)

 

[vagabondmidget]

1st I've heard of it, can you explain ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_lacing

Lacing cord is used a lot in telecommunications and aerospace. I learned it doing power in data centers. On my projects I use it wherever I want to tie things together with a clean appearance. AN hoses, power, harnesses, etc.

The cord is waxed nylon that when tied properly is as strong or stronger than zip ties with neater more dressed appearance and don't shrink or break like zip ties can. Also, no sharp corners!

 

[mobiledynamics]

Knipex Cut Quality on the Left
Cheap Stamped Steel Cutter on the right

Where's Waldo. Can you spot which one is leaving a sharp edge...

 

[RaptorDuner]

What a disappointment . You know that giddy feeling you get when you order a tool ;-)

What part # on Knipex did you buy? Pics?

I bought these Snapon (EPC160) this week and I love them. Cut better than expected. Can't cut metal, plastics only.

 

[kaffine]

I've switched over to using Velcro instead of cable ties. I have to go in and do rework to often to use cable ties. And I only use Velcro if I can't find a way of eliminating the cable run or keeping it short enough not to need to be secured.

When I did use cable ties I either used one of the guns or small flush cut wire cutters. Hated getting cut up on the sharp edges. I would rather seem them left untrimmed than to be cut leaving a sharp edge.

 

[~smokey~]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_lacing

Lacing cord is used a lot in telecommunications and aerospace. I learned it doing power in data centers. On my projects I use it wherever I want to tie things together with a clean appearance. AN hoses, power, harnesses, etc.

The cord is waxed nylon that when tied properly is as strong or stronger than zip ties with neater more dressed appearance and don't shrink or break like zip ties can. Also, no sharp corners!

Interesting, that would be a cool technique for use on a hotrod or show vehicle

 

[bcassel]

Nail trimmers. The pliers type is best, but a good set of toenail clippers work good too. The very best part is that there is NO sharp corner when you're done.

 

[nicksnothereman]

If I'm working on something a bit more focused....like bundleing cords, I'll grab the small electroncic cutter. Always gives me a nice flush cut on zip ties.

More often than not, I'll just grab whatever diag I have at hand and just attempt to cut it flush. It's a give or take on whehter I leave a sharp edge if I'm not paying attention to how I place the plier on the zip tie.

Disclaimer....I have the fancy schamncy $400 specialty tie gun somewhere in my stash, but it's just too bulky for my use.

I'd be curious if you guys have some special cable tie tool cutter I'm not aware of....

Razor cutters (the ones with the anvil that have pliers/scissor type action; I have the husky brand) are great; they're great for a ton of things, I'm glad I bought them when they were on clearance. Usually I just use diagonal cutters or a knife (depends on the knife I'm carrying). This is one of those things I don't give a **** about though because zip ties ain't meant to be permanent.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I don't like to use the guns even though I own them because

They're too big and bulky for me
Often on a run, I may have the *head* of each zip tie 50 different ways.
Cutting this with a cutter is much productive than me changing direction with the gun IMO.

Part # of the Knipex is 72 111 160

 

[mobiledynamics]

For those posters recommending nail cutters. Cuticle cutters with the flush cutter head does leave a better edge than the Knipex. Or at least the one I just tried, in haste after seeing the quality of cut I got. I snuck into the CEO's side of the medicine cabinet and made a test cut.

A regular nail clipper does leave a edge, IMO.

 

[RaptorDuner]

From the Knipex website for the 72 11 160:

Technical details
cutting face flush ground
for nearly flush cutting of moulded plastic components from sprues
cuts soft materials such as lead in a flush cut
with opening spring
Vanadium electric steel; forged, oil-hardened

Why call it flush cutting but actually make it "nearly flush cutting"? Disappointing from a premium brand.

 

[JimVonBaden]

I've switched over to using Velcro instead of cable ties. I have to go in and do rework to often to use cable ties. And I only use Velcro if I can't find a way of eliminating the cable run or keeping it short enough not to need to be secured.

When I did use cable ties I either used one of the guns or small flush cut wire cutters. Hated getting cut up on the sharp edges. I would rather seem them left untrimmed than to be cut leaving a sharp edge.

Velcro is great, indoors, not so hot on a Motorcycle or Car.

 

[1507dennis]

Re: What's you Cable Tie Cutter

Me, too!

Me three.

 

[Fueler]

I made my own flush dykes all I did was grind the back side.

Me too. Just walked over to the belt sander with an older pair of side cuts and hit until I had a straight back side. Works great.