zip tie/cable clamp installation tool

[theoldwizard1]

Recommend one. This is for DIY, so please keep the cost "reasonable" or at least popular enough that I can find one used on eBay.

 

[motofool33]

Harbor Freight has one that will last for a while. I broke my first one =P

 

[Rtw5150]

Klein, $25 or $30.

 

[royesses]

Here's the Klein at amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004G3PR00/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[jeffmoss26]

What size cable ties?

 

[theoldwizard1]

What size cable ties?

Probably less than 7mm.

 

[Jagmandave]

I have one of these and I can't remember where I bought it - probably HF - but it works fine up to a point. It won't pull them really tight, but it's fine for most things.....like most tools, the best one for the job really depends on the job you're trying to do with it.

 

[Davefr]

Go to Ebay and search for Panduit GS-2B. They're >$200 new but good used ones show up for <$50 all the time. Once you use one you'll throw away all these plastic "toy" tie warp tools.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Agreed. I scored one in perfect shape at a garage sale this past summer.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Go to Ebay and search for Panduit GS-2B. They're >$200 new but good used ones show up for <$50 all the time. Once you use one you'll throw away all these plastic "toy" tie warp tools.

^This is the way to go^

I bought a Paduit GTS off of ebay for $35 and it's awesome......even though it's plastic!

 

[cartman4gc]

I've been happy with one I bought from Eastwood co. for about $15

 

[mattyrattypoo]

My favorite is the Thomas Betts Ergo50. I use it everyday at work and works flawlessly. Also, made in Sweden.

 

[Nickmm]

What's wrong with using your teeth :-D

Our elec-techs have one, I'll check in the AM to see what model. Its stamped steel constructed like a stapler, but looks like a pistol grip tool as some of the others above are. Its handy.

Really though, I've never had a problem doing them by hand and with a pliers or etc. But this isn't in desktops/electronics installs, just general duty. When in the military, we had guys use these when building servers and running wire, they made more sense in that job.

p.s. heres a good start.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Panduit-GS2...383?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c84e0d9e7

 

[1950mercury]

Pull it tigjt with your hand and twist the excess end off with linemans or cut the end with linemans

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Pull it tigjt with your hand and twist the excess end off with linemans or cut the end with linemans

While this works, these tools are able to get the ties tighter, and they can also get into places your hands can't. The best feature is they cut the tail flush; sounds trivial, but after you have cut the **** out of yourself on a zip tie cut with lineman's pliers, you will understand. On our race team if you dont flush cut your zip ties, you will inevitably have somebody ripping you a new ******* in the future.

 

[Fcvapor05]

Go to Ebay and search for Panduit GS-2B. They're >$200 new but good used ones show up for <$50 all the time. Once you use one you'll throw away all these plastic "toy" tie warp tools.

I'm intrigued. Will this model get a zip tie super mega tight?

 

[justme-]

a proper zip tie tool will get the tie to optimal tension - too tight and they fail. I have used a few quality ones, unsure the brand but the one I used most looks like the GB pictured above and was likely made by T&B. Just bought a Hf one on clearance ($3) to try since I occasionally like to use zip ties as impromptu hose clamps.

 

[scooternut]

My local Lowes has had these on clearance for weeks and no one seems to want the big pile of them. Wiss Cable tensioners. item #244869 $6.99, was $27.98

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'm intrigued. Will this model get a zip tie super mega tight?

The tension is fully adjustable.; they will get them tight enough to break them.

 

[Davefr]

OP, here you go. At this price I'd go for the BIN and forget about the best offer. It's going to go very quickly:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PANDUIT-GS2...886?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c460bdd06

 

[jeffmoss26]

It's already sold! Damn.

 

[kngelv]

I'm an electrician at a Ford plant and have the Panduit GTH. I use it nearly every day. Its an awesome gun but overkill for home use. Nearly all of the cheap guns **** wind. Most of them pull the cables too tight which usually damages the wires or cables. For home use I'd get these http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=681923&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog.

James