Ran out of wire ties

[FredWanaker]

Well, finally ran out of wire ties building a blueberry cage to keep the birds out. What material and brand holds up well in the sun? I use them from everything from wire bundles around the home theater, automotive wire bundles, to holding concrete wire up for the pea and bean trellises. Something that doesn't rot in the sun in six months but aren't outrageously expensive either.

 

[Bucko]

Usually the black ones hold up better than the white. You want to look for UV rated or UV resistant.

On a side note a zip tie gun is a nice little tool to have. I keep mine in the same container as my zip ties. The one I have is similar to the one attached.
Cable Tie Gun - Fastening and Cutting Tool with Steel Handle Special for Nylon Cable Tie Fasten and Cut Cables in Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G5X7DMC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ycgoat]

I use the seizing wire or rebar tie wire, the sun does not bother it but is still rusts through from moisture.

 

[lilredex]

I use solid copper electrical wire as "Ty-wraps"

 

[AE2]

Don't buy the smart electrician brand from Menards. Last few packages I have bought have broken right out of the package. Literally snap in two when you bend them.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Don't buy the smart electrician brand from Menards. Last few packages I have bought have broken right out of the package. Literally snap in two when you bend them.

Had the same issue with ones I bought at HF.

I have used some of the SE brand from Menards and worked ok for me but I bought them a few years ago.

 

[FredWanaker]

I ask because the last couple I bought break right out of the package, and they fall apart in the sun. One brand will give the plastic and say UV resistant then another brand with the same plastic type will say not UV resistant. I don't want to use wire or rebar ties,

 

[LB-1911]

One option rated UV resistant

USA Solar Tie Wraps

Use Drop Down Menus to Select Length / Quantity Available in 6 SizesDesigned for solar applications to withstand the intense rays of the sun.Resistant to corrosive outdoor elements.Low water and density maintains stabilityChemical resistant and insensitive to stress crackingSmooth edges...

tiewraps.com

Tie Wraps

We offer a variety of USA Made Zip Ties made of Nylon 6/6 , Nylon Coated Stainless Steel Zip Ties, Heavy Duty Zip Ties, Cobra Low Profile Zip Ties, I.D. Tag Zip Ties, Releasable Zip Ties, Tefzel Zip Ties, Hole Mount Zip Ties, Security and Beaded Zip Ties, Double Loop Zip Ties, & Plenum Zip...

tiewraps.com

 

[manwithtools]

Try Tiewraps.com
Look at the Solar rated ones: https://tiewraps.com/collections/tie-wraps/products/solar-tie-wraps?variant=31864283791442

Ha, LB-9111 seems to agree We buy thousands of the non solar ones from Tiewraps.com every month and they work well. I assume their solar rated ones do to.

Tiewraps.com is based here in Poway CA where I work. Many of their parts are USA made as well.

 

[reader2580]

I bought Xtreme cable ties from Menards for bundling wire on my solar system. They are supposed to be more UV resistant and handle more extreme temperatures.

The best would be stainless cable ties, but they cost between 20 cents and $1 each.

 

[FredWanaker]

I have stainless ones but they rely on being bent to lock. I don't want to slice my arms if I bump into one. I'll look at Tiewraps.com to see what they have. .

 

[manwithtools]

If you use a lot of tie wraps, a tie wrap gun is a great tool to have, it avoids the cut arms and hands. A good one is not inexpensive, but worth every penny compared to the cheap copies that almost do the job. I have this one: Tie Wrap Gun

 

[FredWanaker]

I priced them, $63 for 200 shipped. too much. I'll just do the $10 bag at Lowes for indoor outdoor UV resistant 8" ties. I can get 50 for less than the shipping at that .com source. Not meaning to cheap out but I use a lot of ties for things then cut then 90 days later to do something else with some wiring under the desk or something. I also use velcro where appropriate on wiring.

 

[Slednut]

Thomas and Betts Ty-raps, they are UV resistant and have a stainless steel retainer.

If your zip tie makes a zipping sound they're a POS.

 

[reader2580]

I like those Ty-Rap cable ties, but they are so expensive. I save the good Ty-Rap cable ties for things where the cable ties will be there long term and coming loose could be an issue.

 

[FredWanaker]

like these?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DEHZ14/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001DEHV36/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Firebrick43]

Use rebar ties instead of plastic. just as fast and even tighter if you want to.

 

[jrsavoie]

Use rebar ties instead of plastic. just as fast and even tighter if you want to.

What are rebar ties?

All I ever used were the pieces of wire with the twisty handle

 

[Mikeske]

I used panduit brand zip ties with really good luck

 

[619DioFan]

If I make something from weld wire I tend to use hog rings , that is a more permanent solution vs zip ties.

 

[ChefRex]

Second the Thomas and Betts, I also reuse longer tyes all the time.

 

[rcktpwrd]

Check out monoprice.com for great prices on zip-ties. Typically the white ones are not UV resistant, most of the colored ones are.

 

[nadogail]

I have used Panduit Stainless wire ties when working on a Hot Laminating Circuit board press. Never had a problem with the heat or oxidation.

 

[Mr_fixit]

Second the Thomas and Betts, I also reuse longer tyes all the time.

Third!

 

[bonneyman]

I've used these UV resistant ties for years on A/C condensing unit fan motor. To secure the wire leads and keep them from falling into the blade. Lasted several years in the Tucson sun. Strong, inexpensive, easy to tighten, came in several lengths for different applications. FWIW
But be aware they're only rated at UV resistant, not UV proof. They generally didn't break on their own, but if you hit them or tried adjusting them after a couple of years they could break. No problem - I just replaced them on the spot!

Heavy-Duty Wire Ties

Heavy-Duty Wire Ties

www.jttproducts.com

 

[lilredex]

What are rebar ties?

All I ever used were the pieces of wire with the twisty handle

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/peak-tie-wire/1000438982

Can be used for lots of tasks.

 

[FredWanaker]

https://www.homedepot.ca/product/peak-tie-wire/1000438982

Can be used for lots of tasks.

yes, please wrap your automotive wires with one and see what happens when it rubs thru.

 

[Sumboodie]

I've never heard of zip ties called wire ties.

Took me several posts to figure it out!

 

[Firebrick43]

What are rebar ties?

All I ever used were the pieces of wire with the twisty handle

Grip-Rite 67/100 ft. 16-Gauge Rebar Tie Wire (100-Piece/Bag) BT176100R - The Home Depot

These Grip-Rite rebar ties can be used at construction sites, on the farm and for home use. These rebar ties come in a resealable bag that protects ties from damage and loss, reducing waste. These Grip-Rite

www.homedepot.com

used with a tool like this



Very fast, and very uv resistant. No need to clip the ends either as they are not sharp.

yes, please wrap your automotive wires with one and see what happens when it rubs thru.

No one said to use them on automotive wires Fred, they were talking about your blueberry cages, save the zip ties for the wires.

 

[bwringer]

Thomas and Betts Ty-raps, they are UV resistant and have a stainless steel retainer.

If your zip tie makes a zipping sound they're a POS.

Same. Yes, they are absolutely worth the extra money. I buy mine in bags from a local racing supplier, Earl's.

I've given up on the lesser imitations. Life is just too short to **** around wondering whether your crappy "zip-ties" are going to hold long-term.

If you need to use a lot in some consistent and un-challenging application, then I guess you could save a few bucks on a bag of reasonably decent cheapies.

My use cases are quite varied; I'm usually using a few at a time in all sorts of situations, usually motorcycles. So it's important that the wire bundles or whatever stay where I want hem, and it's well worth using the absolute best knowing they'll stand up to heat, cold, sun, and vibration. The biggest issues I've had with the imitations is that they get brittle, and some are too brittle right out of the bag.

 

[yugami]

Don't buy the smart electrician brand from Menards. Last few packages I have bought have broken right out of the package. Literally snap in two when you bend them.

Nylon gets brittle when it dries out, if you speak them in water they'll be like new

 

[AE2]

Nylon gets brittle when it dries out, if you speak them in water they'll be like new

Interesting. I still have part of a bag so I'll give this a try.

 

[FredWanaker]

I've looked at Earls and can't find them on their site. What are they under?

 

[bwringer]

I've looked at Earls and can't find them on their site. What are they under?

The Earls' Indy website is a complete dumpster fire; they're, uh, more of an in-person type of place. The racing world is very old-school.

They're close to the IMS track down in Speedway and cater to all the race and motorsports teams in the area. If you go there in person, they're hanging on the wall and you grab what you need.

If there's a similar race shop around you, I'd look there. Or order them from Cable Ties Unlimited:

https://www.cabletiesunlimited.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=ty-rap

Tie Wraps.com doesn't seem to have genuine T&B, but they do have "stainless tooth" cable ties:

Stainless Tooth Tie Wraps

Use Drop Down Menus to Select Length / Color / Quantity Available in 6 SizesStainless Tooth Tie Wraps feature super strong self-locking, stainless steel tooth, one piece design, standard size head. Available in Black and Natural. Black Tie Wraps are UV resistant. Recommended for outdoor usage...

tiewraps.com

Pegasus Auto Racing, and I'm sure many other racing suppliers, stock T&B:

T&B Standard Nylon Cable Tie, 7 x 0.19 inch - Pegasus Auto Racing Supplies

High quality T&B standard nylon cable ties conform to government specification MS3367 and MIL-S-23190E. Available in natural (white) or ultra-violet resistant black.

www.pegasusautoracing.com

 

[no704]

Nylon drying out al was makes me laughUsed to work at a van up fitter. The flexible wire chases were prone to getting broken. The senior engineer ordered them to be stored in ziplock bags with a couple oz of water.

 

[Firebrick43]

Nylon drying out al was makes me laughUsed to work at a van up fitter. The flexible wire chases were prone to getting broken. The senior engineer ordered them to be stored in ziplock bags with a couple oz of water.

Store your weed wacker line in water and it will last much longer in use. Nylon is hydroscopic somewhat and it does affect its flexibility.

 

[jagboy69]

I use the seizing wire or rebar tie wire, the sun does not bother it but is still rusts through from moisture.

.032 stainless aircraft safety wire. Aircraft spruce sells it.

 

[Cardboard Man]

Go to tractor supply or equivalent and buy a roll of aluminum fence wire for your outside applications. It won't rot or rust. Save the plastic zip ties for jobs that won't see sunlight.

 

[Firebrick43]

Go to tractor supply or equivalent and buy a roll of aluminum fence wire for your outside applications. It won't rot or rust. Save the plastic zip ties for jobs that won't see sunlight.

Um, aluminum, especially in contact with steel cages, will corrode. Corrode badly.

 

[jagboy69]

lol... Is there anything scamazon does not sell? They sell 41 thou heavy stuff. You can fix a whole lotta broken **** for 14bucks! I had a link up here but it turned generic. :-/ And no it wasn't an affiliate link. I don't do that BS!