Zip Ties / Cable Ties - storage.

[cgv69]

Some food for thought... Garden variety tie wraps are injection molded using nylon 6. As they are packaged, a drop of water is injected in the bag prior to its being sealed. Nylon 6 weakens significantly as it dries out. Best to keep them in the original unopened package until needed. Jars sound like a good idea. You could add a couple drops of water to the jar and that should help preserve strength and flexibility.

Maybe in theory that's something to worry about but I know I have some zip ties that are close to 20 years old since their packaging was opened and they are still like new and just as flexible as they ever were.

 

[NUTTSGT]

whenever you need 10-15 per job, i take one and cut the latching part off, so you just have the strip with no head. then feed all your others on that strip. they stay on until you want to remove one and they only come off one at a time. if you take one off and dont use it just simply slide it back on the other end.

That's actually a simple and smart idea.

 

[Guzzi]

What brand of zip ties are yall using?

I've never trusted the off-brands in the 600-piece multi-packs..... I usually grab the GB ones at Home Depot, but they're not cheap.

Is there any reason to pay more, or are all of em the same?

Thomas & Betts Ty-Rap . Best cable ties made.

 

[Vinko]

I know its trivial....not exactly an earth shattering problem. Im just curious to see how you guys store your zip ties (thats what I call em anyway....) I have thousands of these things in various lengths and sizes - use them all the time - and would love to have them easily accesible, and organized. I have them from 3" long, up to 36" long, and everything in between.

Thought about some large diameter PVC pipes with caps on one end mounted along a section of wall, but figured there might be some other good ideas out there. I have half of mine (smaller sizes) in some plastic drawers, and the larger ones in bundles scattered throughout my tool box and random shelves. Space is a premium in my tiny shop, so the more organized the better.

Pictures?

~ Stump

If you're using them a lot it makes sense to keep 'em sorted, despite what a few naysayers have said.

Wurth has a simple system -- no great shakes -- but it might give you one idea. If you google Wurth ORSY and cable ties, they're will be photos.

 

[Vinko]

What brand of zip ties are yall using?

I've never trusted the off-brands in the 600-piece multi-packs..... I usually grab the GB ones at Home Depot, but they're not cheap.

Is there any reason to pay more, or are all of em the same?

Thomas & Betts are pretty good. I used to use them all the time, and found these to be better than others.

 

[jeffmoss26]

That Wurth rack is very cool!
https://shoponline.wurthusa.com/wurthusa/servlet/CyberVendor/category/G3397328/catalog/group.jsp/

GB cable ties are my least favorite. I do not like the ribs on the outside of the tie, and the way the head of the tie is curved, it is hard to make them look nice.

 

[W650Mike]

Somewhat related:

I’ve discovered, and have mostly converted to, the low profile type for neater budling of wires and such.. They still work with the Panduit gun – if you turn it upside-down.
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o> </o>
For storage I use a drawer under the bench and the original bags cut on one side about an inch from the top, on the head end. This keeps them from falling out until you reach in and pull a couple out.