Cable tie wraps (AKA zip ties)

[theoldwizard1]

What's your favorite brand ? I lost my bag of 1000 cheap Chinese ones. Now I can justify buying something good ! In the 6-8" range.

Some seem to have a stainless steel locking tab. Is this important ?

 

[rlitman]

Ty-Rap is the gold standard, but I'm too cheap to buy them.

The steel locking tab is not important. It used to be required for FAA purposes (not sure if it still is) because many years ago, it was the most reliable locking method. But on a GOOD nylon strap, the nylon locking tab system has a higher breaking strength than the metal one.

 

[APEowner]

I have no idea on brand I just use whatever I get from McMaster-Carr.

 

[dnschmidt]

Thomas and Betts or Panduit. Both are excellent. You're going to pay serious money for these but they are infinitely better than the ones you get at Harbor Freight.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Ideal from the electrical supply house.

 

[Stuart in MN]

T & B, Panduit, Ideal, Gardner-Bender.

 

[fasteddie]

About 15 years ago, there was a dollar store in my area that would get some unusual items, surplus or auction I guess. He had T&B Ty-raps of all sizes up to 16" with and without screw loops for...yes $1. I would go in there every week or so and buy 15 or 20 packs. I had so many I started selling them on ebay, the big heavy duty ones would get up to $15 a pack or more on auction. I still have a big box full hoarded away but I buy a 1000 pack of all nylon for everyday use because most of the things I use them for are not Ty-Rap worthy.

 

[scooby074]

Ty-raps. Black nylon . Preferably with the metal tab. T&B is the manufacturer actually. There is a reason that we in the trade generally call "cable ties" Ty-Raps. They are the best.

 

[Tynee]

I always preferred Panduit over T&B when I used them for a living.

 

[pete379]

i like tyton, black

 

[Polo_Karl]

I try buy ones that have the temperature range that goes the lowest in whatever brand the store I am at happens to carry. Otherwise they seem to snap really easy on my wheel covers from shots.

 

[bwringer]

Ty-Rap. There is no other.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I always preferred Panduit over T&B when I used them for a living.

Same here!

 

[FigureItOut]

T&B makes a product called Twist Tails, I buy 500-1000 of the 7" and 11" a couple times a year. The excess will twist off clean right at the "clasp". They're rated the same strength as regular ty-raps, though obviously not as high as the type with the metal tab. For my purposes longevity is important, but not so much the actual strength, and I have confidence in them. Now that I've gotten used to just twisting them off, I could never go back to cutting to trim.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930AZ using Tapatalk

 

[Wyoming09]

Anybody ever try this place:

https://buycableties.com/

 

[2CRUZ]

I buy the cheap ones from Harbour Freight.

 

[Marctrees]

For permanent installs where a quality job is wanted, no question, T&B Ty Raps.

For temporary or any non critical use, any Jineez ones may be acceptable.

Because of the price diff, I keep both on hand, and use as appropriate.

Same w tape... Scotch 88 where it counts, other **** otherwise.

Marc

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

For permanent installs where a quality job is wanted, no question, T&B Ty Raps.

For temporary or any non critical use, any Jineez ones may be acceptable.

Because of the price diff, I keep both on hand, and use as appropriate.

Same w tape... Scotch 88 where it counts, other **** otherwise.

Marc

Different strokes for different folks. I could not be bothered to keep a duplicate product for varying levels of repair. For temp jobs I have been known to carefully cut off a ty was so I could reuse it in the future.

 

[rlitman]

Different strokes for different folks. I could not be bothered to keep a duplicate product for varying levels of repair. For temp jobs I have been known to carefully cut off a ty was so I could reuse it in the future.

Perhaps not, but being nylon, even the best get more brittle over time.
So, I have old bundles I keep around for temporary stuff.

Just like string trimmer and fishing line, storing them moist helps maintain their strength.

 

[xtremek]

I was once told that only the black ones are UV stable. All other's will break down with extended exposure to sunlight. That's what I was told.

 

[fasteddie]

I was once told that only the black ones are UV stable. All other's will break down with extended exposure to sunlight. That's what I was told.

That is absolutely true. Black only for outdoor use.

 

[zmotorsports]

I've been using the Thomas & Betts or Ideal ones for the last several years. The cheapy ones will generally brake right while installing. I am usually a 3M fan but I have been sadly disappointed in their zip-ties lately.

 

[aczr2k]

I know most of you dislike Fastenal but I've had good luck with the store brand cable ties. Its all we use at work and I buy the same ones for at home.

 

[nh_yota]

House brand from Home Depot.

 

[zmotorsports]

I know most of you dislike Fastenal but I've had good luck with the store brand cable ties. Its all we use at work and I buy the same ones for at home.

We actually use the Fastenal house brand at work and they seem fine, no issues.

 

[Marctrees]

It still all comes down to.. Are you OK w shortcuts for the project at hand ?

For some stuff the cheap ones are good enough.

If you're cleaning up the rats nest behind your TV, good enough.

Winding up to shorten your phone charger cord, good enough.

Keeping backup low volt various cables and wall warts in a bin without tangling,.. good enough.

But - It would betcha on critical projects... Aircraft, Military, NASA, Nu ke lar weapons, , high end projects... Betcha your Bippy the original stainless toothed Ty Rap is used.

So Ya, that's why I "bother" to keep both.

It would be wasting $ to blow through my backstock of T&B on short term silly stuff.

And Ya, Black if exposed to UV.

T & B is not a company that makes ****.

Just like drill bits... you can buy HF... or you can buy some made in historically the NE quadrant of the USA.

Machinists will know better than me... I'm mostly Wood stuff... but some years back I bought a IIRC "Chicago Latrobe" 5/8" standard HSS twist drill bit... gave me 300 + holes in 1/2" steel, and still going strong.

Marc

 

[Spiffers]

They make "quality" zipties? Boy you do learn something on here every day!

 

[David0858]

I buy the cheap ones from Harbour Freight.

This. I've used hundreds of them and have never had a problem with any of them. Just don't use the white ones outside in the sun as UV will kill them after a year or two.

 

[Mr. T]

We actually use the Fastenal house brand at work and they seem fine, no issues.

At work we make medical stuff so “no adhesives” (aka tape) is a thing. We get bulk zip ties from Fastenal in the thousands a year. 99% of them work fine, that last 1%... not so great. Most common thing to go wrong is that the tang/catch breaks immediately, as in when you’re tightening it. The other issue is excessive flash which makes them harder to use.

I guess the savings is worth the aggravation. If it goes on right it tends to stay right.

I would agree that the T&B Ty-Raps with the metal tang are great. Sadly, the metal tang is also unacceptable for medical.

 

[bonneyman]

JT&T Products makes an assortment of black nylon ties for the A/C industry. Never had a problem with them. When left in the sun they do get a little brittle after 4-5 years, but usually don't just break. Sometimes I'll use two or more piggy-backed together to hold a run cap secure.

http://www.jttproducts.com/store/p/4258-4793F-Nylon-UV-Black-Wire-Tie-Assortment-650pcs.aspx

 

[stickshift]

Can the HF zip ties hold up to a bit of heat? One of the clips running along the outside of the timing cover that holds the crank position sensor harness is broken and I was going to replace it with a zip tie. Terrible idea?

 

[fasteddie]

Can the HF zip ties hold up to a bit of heat? One of the clips running along the outside of the timing cover that holds the crank position sensor harness is broken and I was going to replace it with a zip tie. Terrible idea?

I'm pretty sure HF has stainless zip ties, I would use one of those.

 

[ttpete]

If you're going to do any amount of zip ties, get one of the guns. It will tension and cut the end off flush. Saves a lot of time and fumbling.

 

[Vvmvbb]

That is absolutely true. Black only for outdoor use.

...or aqua blue (Tefzel)

 

[stickshift]

I'm pretty sure HF has stainless zip ties, I would use one of those.

I just checked, and you are correct. I'd be worried the stainless would eventually cut through the harness and into the cables.

Might go with their "heavy duty" ties: https://www.harborfreight.com/24-in-heavy-duty-cable-ties-10-pk-62720.html

"The durable nylon material can easily support up to 175 lbs. and stays strong even under heated conditions."

 

[Lelandwelds]

But - It would betcha on critical projects... Aircraft, Military, NASA, Nu ke lar weapons, , high end projects... Betcha your Bippy the original stainless toothed Ty Rap is used.


Marc

For the truly high end you are describing, they use the original "original"

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_lacing

It is actually kinda pretty and there is nothing to snag in tight quarters. I have seen some telco (?) stuff that was 70 (?) years old and was still in great shape.

 

[kctyphoon]

The bigger thing (for me anyway) is how they hold up in the cold.. I dont remember the brand but I've used some where every other one would break when tightening them in the cold, even when they are rated for 120lbs.. to my knowledge the stainless steel locks I've only seen used on the smooth ties, to bite into the strap when there are no ridges to "ratchet" and lock the plastic locks in place.

 

[toplessHO]

does anyone else cringe when they hear the words "zip-ties"?
they are Ty -Raps. cable tie is acceptable if youre not in the trade.
Do you call a Xerox machine a zip copier.
What do you call a Sta-kon? a zip crimp?
I say panduit is second rate to the T&Bs but still acceptable

 

[Marctrees]

does anyone else cringe when they hear the words "zip-ties"?
they are Ty -Raps. cable tie is acceptable if youre not in the trade.
Do you call a Xerox machine a zip copier.
What do you call a Sta-kon? a zip crimp?
I say panduit is second rate to the T&Bs but still acceptable

100%

Marc

 

[Marctrees]