How To Securely Fasten Zip Ties

[Aushiker]

G'day

This video has just popped up at BicycleTutor.com and I thought it was worth sharing. They are suggesting using a fourth (third) hand cable tool to tighten zip ties. Seems a good idea to me anyway.

http://bicycletutor.com/fasten-zip-ties/

Regards
Andrew

[lisanne]

What a nifty tool!

[Matty]

If you don't happen to have a third hand tool, you can always use this tool from Jaycar. It'll tighten AND cut your zip tie

[Bnej]

I just use pliers to get an extra few clicks on the zip tie, works fine.

[thomas_cho]

thanks for the tip. This is quite handy.

[nzdans]

I tried this a few years back, it's a nice gimmick but can be a bit too easy to snap smaller ties as the tool has a bit too much leverage!

[MountGower]

If your snapping cable ties under tension, there are two solutions. Use a better quality cable tie. There are so many different brands out there these days and most are rubbish. Thomas&Betts are the best. The other solution is to use a wider tie. Probably a combination of both quality and size is the go.

Also, the success of the use of a cable tie can depend very heavily on the point of the circumference at which you place the join. Remember that the job is round, but the join is initially at right angles.

[il padrone]

If I use pliers and can't get any more clicks from the zip tie, will this tool make them any tighter?

[Aushiker]

G'day

I used my Park Tools Fourth hand on some cable ties and it worked a treat. I will now go and replace the cable ties on Chase using this tool.

Regards
Andrew

[geoffs]

It looks a nice tool but then the bicycle tutor stuffs up his good work by using an ordinary pair of side cutters to cut the cable tie.
It's always better to use flush cutters for cutting cable ties if you don't wont the little end sticking out that is sharp enough to cut yourself on.
Flush cutters are available from electronics stores like Jaycar.

Cheers

Geoff

[HaywarM]

I've only ever used cable ties on a bike for speedo wires, and mounts. How tight do you need you cable ties to be?! i would be concerned about damaging the wire.

We use a tool offshore for stainless cable ties that is designed so that it pulls tight until the tail snaps off, so a sharp edge is not left behind. but i wouldn't be too keen to try it around bike tubing (carpet fibre, alloy or even steel for that matter).