Cable ties are nearly as ubiquitous as plastic grocery bags (and are likely put to more varied use).
They’re sometimes referred to as zip ties, tie wraps, or wire ties. They come in all sorts of lengths, widths, materials, strengths, and colors.
Cable ties were invented by the Thomas & Betts company in 1958, initially developed to hold wire harnesses in airplanes.
Like duct tape, cable ties have expanded their use well beyond the inventor’s intention.
Flexible nylon strips are the most common zip ties, with one end pointed and one end having an open case.
During a casual conversation on the grounds of PaulB Wholesale, the following uses were mentioned:
● Bundle hose for better storage
● Latch tarps through grommets to form a shelter or larger canvas
● Secure plastic crate on an ATV as a carrier
● Loop into a zipper pull to make it easier to zipper
● Bundle computer leads, wires, and cables for cleaner workspace
● Hang hand tools through loops inserted in pegboard
● Secure a soccer net to a goal frame
● Loosely secure tomato plants to cages or “train” climbing plants up lattice
● Tie soda bottle opener to cooler handle
● Place on luggage handles to differentiate your luggage from others.
● Secure two cabinet door handles together for a temporary “lock”
● Attach hunting tag to game
● Secure a bucket to a ladder
● Secure hose onto sprayer
And then there is artist Sui Park, who creates “3-dimensional organic forms… made with mass-produced industrial materials, in particular Monofilament and Cable Ties.”
(We suggest that anyone planning on installing hundreds of cable ties use a cable tie gun to do so.)
Look for the following specs when choosing cable ties: material, tensile strength, length, width, and temperature range.
Cable ties normally come in nylon, stainless steel, poly, or cloth. PaulB Wholesale cable ties on special this month include:
● 8” Nylon Standard UV-resistant, 50lb loop tensile strength, .19-inches wide, temperature rating of minus-40 degrees to 185 degrees.
● 11” Nylon heavy-duty UV-resistant 120lb loop tensile strength, .29-inches wide, temperature rating of minus-40 degrees to 185 degrees.
● 14” Nylon heavy-duty UV-resistant 120lb loop tensile strength, .29-inches wide, temperature rating of minus-40 degrees to 185 degrees.
See our Monthly Specials for more information.
Sources: Staff of PaulB LLC, Roxanne McRoberts of Sticks & Stones by Roxanne, SuiPark.com, and Engineering360.