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https://hackaday.com/2023/01/05/excuse-me-your-tie-is-unzipped/
If you ask your typical handyperson what's the one thing you need to fix most things, the answer might very well be duct tape. But second place — and first place in some circles — would have to be zip ties. These little wonders are everywhere if you look for them. But they are a relatively recent invention and haven't always had the form they have today.
The original zip tie wasn't called a zip tie or even a cable tie. In 1958 they were called Ty-Raps and produced by a company called Thomas and Betts. Originally meant to improve aircraft wiring harnesses, they found their way into various electronic equipment and packaging uses. But they've also become helpful in very unusual places too. A policeman trying to round up rioters would have problems carrying more than a few conventional handcuffs. But flexible cuffs based on zip ties are lightweight and easy to carry. Colon surgeons sometimes use a modified form of zip tie during procedures.
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 08, @01:17AM (5 children)
Many products come zip tied to a cardboard backing or other package feature to keep them in position during shipping. I suppose that most people just cut these off and land-fill them?
I've got in the habit of taking the end of my little Swiss knife blade and prying back the "ratchet pawl" to release the tie. Then it can be reused. Use care when you try, I arrange things so that when the blade slips it goes in a harmless direction. It *will* slip and poke into something! Might as well plan ahead for that reality.
Maybe someone knows of a better tool for this job?
Of course there are some styles of tie that have a molded "button" attached to the pawl, designed for reuse. While I rarely have to buy zip ties, this style is always my first choice. I wish I could convince more package designers to choose this style too, the extra plastic is nearly nothing, so the cost (in bulk) must be similar.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by RS3 on Sunday January 08, @02:20AM (3 children)
I have a love-hate relationship with zip ties. Too many people way overuse them in wire harnesses, hoses, etc., esp. inside of equipment. Note I wrote: "over use". A few can be very helpful.
One reason I hate them: many bleeding cuts due to the sharp edges, especially on the cut off stump. Sometimes, when warranted, I cut all of them away so I can work without risk of cuts and infections.
I usually try to cut the loop as far from the part attached to the catch block (whatever it's called), where it goes into the ratchet tang, so that way it's often still usable.
Sometimes I do your technique, usually with a tiny screwdriver, but the little catch tang (whatever it's called) is never as strong after that.
There are several styles with release tabs. I use them for temporary work.
There's also a type where the catch is more like a belt and buckle, so you don't have the bloody sharp stump protruding proudly on its little podium.
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Panduit/ILT2S-M0?qs=SdtwoRyGcUXcI4TV3qu%2F%2FA%3D%3D [mouser.com]
https://www.hellermanntyton.com/ae/products/cable-ties-outside-serrated/lph175/112-00201 [hellermanntyton.com]
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 08, @03:46AM (2 children)
I use twist ties instead. They work well enough in most cases and you can more easily undo and reuse them. In fact the main advantage of zip ties over twist ties is the locking and lower reusability.
So for me it's tape, twist ties, glue, blu-tak or similar. I rarely use zip ties.
Some tape can even be aerospace grade: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2022/10/05/plane-duct-tape-speed-tape/ [washingtonpost.com]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_tape [wikipedia.org]
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Sunday January 08, @05:03AM (1 child)
Yeah, my sadly dearly departed dad was very resourceful, and used a lot of simple things like twist (bread bag) ties. I'm doing it more and more- it makes sense in many cases.
I also like the "Velcro" straps for cable, hose, etc., management.
Zip ties are much stronger, so if strength _and_ permanence is an issue, I'll use them.
I've used the much stronger "Gorilla" brand "duct tape". It's pretty awesome and readily available to regular folk. I suppose irregular folk can get it too. Ha ha. Sorry.
But seriously, thanks, I had not heard of that specific 3M "speed tape", but I've known there are seriously strong tapes and adhesives out there. I want to buy the stuff they use for example on USPS shipping boxes.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 08, @02:45PM
Are zip ties really much stronger? The heavy duty plastic or even steel zip ties could be stronger. But the normal ones? Those twist ties are often with a steel core 0.4-2mm in diameter. The skinny ones are weak but the thicker ones can be quite strong. A 1mm steel wire can take a fair bit before it breaks.
250MPa x pi x 0.4mm x 0.4mm = 125 newtons = 30 pounds
250MPa x pi x 1mm x 1mm = 785 newtons = 176 pounds
Random Googled site seems to say normal zip ties go up to 50 pounds.
https://www.nelcoproducts.com/blog/cable-ties-tensile-strength/ [nelcoproducts.com]
(Score: 2) by richtopia on Sunday January 08, @05:50PM
Reusable zip ties are a thing; you can spend money for very nice ones but around the house I get a relatively budget set from Amazon. The major difference for the money is how large the lever is for release; when I use them on my bike and my fingers are cold it is frustrating to undo them.
https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-VTECHOLOGY-Releasable-Adjustable-100Pack/dp/B07R2JKWXV [amazon.com]