We’ve talked about cable tie tensioning and installation tools before, which often provide better results than pliers and diagonal cutters, and are especially useful for repetitive tasks.
But what about cutting nylon cable ties for removal? I was surprised to learn that there are tools specially made for this.
It makes perfect sense, too. I have cut and removed cable ties from wire bundles before, and I can’t be the only one nervous about the potential for nicked or damaged insulation or wiring.
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I usually not opt to break cable ties rather than cut them, but that too can be a problem when dealing with more delicate wires and cables.
ACT – Advanced Cable Ties, Inc – offers 2 types of cable tie removal tools. Both have similar features – beak-like jaws that are designed slip behind tightened cable ties, and wire-cutter-like blades to slice through them.
One style is just a cable tie removal tool, and the other features a built-in wire stripper.
Both tools are made in the USA.
Price: $23-$30
If you want to spend a little less, Automation Direct has a similarly-styled tool by SapiSelco, available with green or orange handles.
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Rennsteig went in a different direction, with a tool designed to break off cable tie heads.
Here’s how it works:
It’s worth noting that the Rennsteig look like cable cutters, but they do not look to break and not shear off cable tie heads.
The Rennsteig is difficult to find in the USA, but it was worth including due to its different approach. It’s quite a bit pricier than the cutting tools shown above.
Discussion
These are specialty tools, and I am sure some readers will chime in that not everyone will need a uni-tasker for cutting or removing cable ties.
But what if you’re working on something where you absolutely need to minimize the risk of damage to the cables or whatever else is being secured by the zip ties?
There’s also time-savings to consider. Let’s say you have 50 or 100 cable ties to cut through. Are you going to use flush-cutters? A knife? Pliers for breaking smaller cable ties? Or would you rather plow through the tasks with a removal tool like these, where there’s less chance of a small slip-up that could ruin your day or worse?
Obviously not everyone will need a tool like this, but I can definitely see the benefit for repetitive and critical applications.
The ACT tools are made in the USA, and they strongly resemble wire strippers made by Stride/Imperial-Tool.
Joellikestools
I have had success using a pair of flush cutters right below the head of the tie
Rob
SnapOn flush cutters for both trimming the ends and removing them.
frobo
Yep, that’s my go-to tool for this job as well.
atomic
That’s what I do, although I imagine carefully positioning it to make Shure you don’t cut a cable would get old if your going to be doing wiring looms or something and cut 500 in a day. This looks more like a production floor tool than a maintenance tool.
Jared
I think I might have to get a pair. It’s not something I would put up near the top of my shopping list, but I know I’ve encountered this exact task many times. Plus I have an affinity for unique pliers.
Tangentially, do you have a recommendation for flush-cut pliers?
I have Channellock 758’s now, which were working great – but I think the heat treatment on my cutting edge is defective. I only ever cut plastic or the rare copper wire with them, but the edges started chipping away (i.e. you could see where small pieces have shorn-off). It’s got a very weird-looking color pattern on the jaws too (e.g. rainbow-like) and the black coating is uneven on the inside, which is what makes me suspect the heat treatment.
I am a big fan of Channellock, so don’t interpret that as bashing the 758. In fact, I would just buy another pair if I could find them, but they’re out of stock locally (and Channellock says they paused production on them to catch up on other styles).
Eric D
I’ve had great luck with my Knipex 7201160. I mangled the edge trying to pry open a PEX cinch clamp (completely wrong tool, but it worked). I cleaned up the edge with a file and it’s working great again.
Stuart
It’s not uncommon for surface finishes to chip off cutting edges.
If your Channellocks are still sharp and cutting copper wire and soft materials as before, the heat treatment isn’t suspect. If the heat treatment were an issue, you’d see dulling or deformations, or maybe even embrittlement if it were too hard.
I find Milwaukee’s to be decent and affordable, but I’ve heard some complaints.
I use Xuron and NWS for mini cutters, and bought Tronex samples I received for testing. Lindstrom is good too. Swanstrom can be more affordable.
If you’re looking for something the size of the Channellock, I’d look at Knipex, but I don’t have a particular model in mind.
Jared
Thanks! I’ll check those all out and pick one.
In my case it wasn’t a surface coating chipping off. It looks like semi-circular bits of the steel edge. They don’t work anymore – the cutting edge is too ragged and doesn’t cut cleanly through cable ties.
Tim B.
Oh yes — please do test those Tronex ones! I had some brief exposure to Tronex precision hand tools at my last place of work, and was VERY impressed by the quality of the tool (and the way the company stands behind their product). Seems a very good Made-in-USA pick for that sort of tool!
Stuart
I did!
https://toolguyd.com/tronex-precision-pliers-review/
I haven’t purchased any more than those, but I continue to use them regularly.
Tim B.
So you did! …and I commented then, too =) Funny how soon I forget. But also why I’m always anxious to hear more about that brand.
Haven’t been able to convince my current company about the value proposition that such quality tools bring… but not giving up!
TonyT
Tim, it helps if you can find them on closeout sale or one of those special Amazon sales. I haven’t bought any Tronex because of the price, but when I saw some Lindstrom cutters on closeout for $25 at Crawford Tools, I jumped on the deal.
I still probably won’t buy any more at the regular price, but they are nice.
Wayne R.
In networks, the head is almost always somewhere easy to cut off since the head was tightened and trimmed in a way that left it accessible. So I’ve always just used dikes to chop the head off.
Though there have been situations where that wasn’t possible or easy. Coax, UTP or any soft-jacketed cable isn’t where dikes would let you just cut into the bundle without appropriate extra care. I’d have used these if I had them. (We use Velcro around fiber.)
Kinda similar to a suture removal snip…
fred
I’ve had the ACT MG-1300 for about 8 years – and can only remember grabbing for it a few times – mostly using a pair of diagonal cutters or scissors to cut cable ties. I don’t do this task every day – so I might use it more if I did cable work for a living.
BTW – I paid $17.20 for mine in 2014 – so the current price doesn’t seem too bad considering inflation
AlexK
I’ve used my knipex diagonal cutters, to cut the lock mechanism off a few times where it was holding wires together. If I had to do that a few times a week or more, I’d buy this. Not worth the risk of nicking protective wire or other items. If I was a car mechanic, definitely.
Jason T.
Flush cut pliers, I’ve used them for over 25 years on zip ties, both installing and removing. If you pay attention to what you are doing, you don’t nick wires. When zip ties are installed, the tails better be trimmed flush. I hate working on equipment racks with improperly trimmed zip ties. It in the IT industry zip ties are our duct tape!
fred
When I looked at the Reinstag cable remover on Amazon – they try to direct your purchase to this:
https://www.amazon.com/OPENER-Cable-Tie-Pocket-sized-Stainless/dp/B08WPW9TZL/
From looking at the item as pictured on Amazon – this tool seems to be at the other end of the spectrum – both in build quality and price from the Reinstag tool
It seems to be marketed by a company called Cabtor:
https://www.cabletieopener.com/
Franck B.
That’s quite a web page they have there!
Stuart
I saw that too, and flagged it for a potential “tools I wouldn’t buy” post. I guess it’s easier than using a fingernail and safer than an improvised tool.
When looking for more cable tie removal tools, I came across way too many YouTube videos showing how to unlock light duty cable ties with fingernails.
Tim B.
Definitely an interesting tool…. never seen a purpose-built one like that. I’ve done that many times (especially on larger ties) using a precision flat-head screwdriver, though… With as cheaply made as ‘commodity grade’ zip ties are these days, though, not sure I’d want to trust re-used ties very much. The cost per unit vs quality table has inverted in the last decade or so, in my opinion….
Jerry
One thing, if you open up the tie there is zero chance of nicking a wire cutting it. I guess the $100 question is how well does it really work.
Stuart
Zip tie positioning doesn’t always allow for that.
Franck B.
I use wide end cutters to cut the protruding cable tie head, or even right through the whole ratchet. The end cutter is usually wider than the bundle so the pointy bits never come near any possibly sensitive insulation.
A lot of people have flush end cutters and never have a good use for them… this is one!
Tim B.
How oddly coincidental – I recently came across a pair of ACT MG-1300’s at work, and was surprised that I had never seen such a tool before. Our maintenance guy said it is his go-to regular wire stripper that he keeps in his “demo booth building” bag… and the zip tie cutting function works really well. Tried it, and was pleasantly surprised. Could tell why it was very clearly well-used (and loved).
That said, though… as one who uses zip ties VERY frequently both at home and work, I usually just grab for my nearest micro flush-cutter (which is usually a Hakko-CHP-170 or something similar). Never lets me down.. plenty of precision and cutting force. So not sure I’d run out and get one of these, unless I was doing this truly day-in and day-out.
Rick
For shearing the heads off of cable ties, I’ve found dog nail cutters to be a cheap and readily available option. I actually use the ones that no longer cut well for my dogs. But that means cheap versions would also work fine. I liked millers forge trimmers.
MM
So, here’s an interesting question:
On multiple occasions I have come across people listing a small pair of Knipex Pliers Wrenches “modified with serrations added”, and this tool is advertised for “zip tie removal”.
Anyone have any idea how that works?
Stuart
They look to have laser-etched serrations.
The Pliers Wrench can deliver a high force multiplier, and I’d guess the serrations help to provide a slip-resistant grip on smooth nylon.
The idea seems to be that you grip the head of a cable tie horizontally and apply pressure enough to deform it until the lock disengages.
https://amzn.to/3JLfTVm
Jared
Interesting. I have several sizes of smooth-jaw Knipex pliers wrenches (i.e. sans serrations). I might as well try them to see if this method works.
JoeM
I have literally just said to myself “I don’t think I need that, I believe I have plenty of delicate cutters to handle the job.” and then mere nanoseconds later I’m currently saying to myself “You’ve been doing a great deal of modifications on network cables, and internal power supply cables in a computer lately… that is all very delicate work, and your hands don’t stay as steady as they were when you were 18. Is it worth risking everything you’ve worked for over a $30 tool that obviously shares its design manufacturing with that Klien cable stripper that Stuart convinced you to buy? Better to have it, and rarely use it, than regret not buying it at all.”
Stuart? I don’t know whether to glare at you and say “Pentel” under my breath, or thank you for pointing this out to me for my next purchase. Remember… We have history of these kinds of purchases.
Plain grainy
It seems like they would have a small angled tool. Something that would go in from the backside of the tie block. This tool would then disrupt the tiny plastic catch that locks the tie.
AP
I often use the cat nail trimmers at Dollar Tree for this very purpose. They work very well for a buck (or a buck and a quarter now).
Chris
I’ve always had good luck using regular dykes or even a utility knife if it’s what I had on hand. I have had instances where I had to be really cautious about not damaging the wires though. But usually side cutters are my go to and work fine. I would consider these though.
Nathan K
Thanks for pointing out another tool that I didn’t know existed, but must have at this instant. Off to Amazon….
Mopar4wd
I have a couple pairs of these, from when they were cleaning out some of the shop tool cabinets at work. Older but very similar to the ACT ones (I’m guessing from the 80’s or 90;s ) they work well. Most of the time thou I just use a Xuron or klien mini/mirco flush cutter and trim off the head. Where these shine is on slightly larger cables where the tiny cutter have trouble these make quick work of opening up big bundles of cable.
Plain grainy
On certain items i use channel locks to lock on the lock box. Then just keep twisting until the tie breaks.
Chris
I do hvac, and as such I normally run into zip ties daily on insulation covering refrigerant linesets.
The best tool I’ve found for the job is a rather unassuming 5$ pair of wire strippers I found on a roof. The angled tip works perfect in getting between the insulation and the zip tie. They also work rather well as wire strippers once u get the feel for them.
Chris
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-V-Notch-Stripper/5003750593
Jim
Milwaukee flush cutters work very, very well one small to medium ties.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-4-75-in-Mini-Flush-Cutters-48-22-6105/305760837
We were issued the Snap On flush cutters at work. They worked very well but were expensive…..surprised?
I never had a special tool to cut the 1000’s of cable ties I used over the years but not cutting the tail flush is something that makes me crazy……and bloody
Justin
All they are a pair of dog nail clipers
Daniel L.
I’ve got the ACTs. The yellow handled ones are a little more useful for my purposes. Easily either cut the tie without damaging the wires, or cut off the tail of a new zip tie.
I find that the wire stripping holes get in the way of the latter task.
It’s worth noting that knipex has a version of their pliers wrench that’s made for “ty wrap removal”. Yup, the pliers wrench. Yup…pretty perplexing. I guess it’s got a serrated jaw so you can…like…crush the zip tie head while twisting? Or something. Seems a bit like driving a nail with a pair of lineman’s. Effective, if not particularly efficient.
Louie Orama
In our (Scranton, PA) area there is a hometown store called “Boscov’s”. Inside there is a section called “The Auditorium”, which has your overstock, discontinued and some “as seen on TV” items as well. I have been fortunate to find the oddest of things there.
I once saw a red spring-loaded looking red plastic gun. Package is a product of “Gardner Bender”. The item is the “Cable Tie Tensioner and Cutter.”
I’m pretty meticulous about being organized, so this was right up my alley. Dude, it tightens them to where it’s as right as it’s gonna get and makes the cut in one fell swoop. Never once had it failed me in the 4-5 years I’ve had it.
When I saw your post, I was thinking to see items like this, but am surprised I didn’t. I too have the end cutters and whatnot, but this tool I have is absolute perfection.
Just looked it up. Around $20. Boscov’s? $1 for me. And it’s a shame because I have a habit of buying items like that for so cheap and putting them everywhere. 2 sheds, basement, garage… wish I did it with this one.
Stuart
https://toolguyd.com/flush-cut-cable-ties/
Basic plastic cable tie tensioners have increased in price to where more premium tools are barely more expensive.
Basic ones still work decently for quickly tightening and trimming cable ties.