Ah, cable ties. If you haven’t suffered a scratch or two from cable ties, you’re either really lucky or have never come across them before.
Cable ties, also known as nylon zip ties, are fantastic for many different types of bundling, tying, wrapping, strapping, and connecting tasks. I’ve used them for everything from securing wires in place, to double-securing soft tubing around a barb fitting.
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I’m sure you have your own stories about how you’ve used cable ties, and would love to hear about it in the comments section.
Cable ties are adjustable, which is partially what makes them so versatile. But because they’re adjustable, there’s almost always a loose tail piece hanging loose.
So what do most users do to make their cable tie look a little neater? They tighten the ties and then cut off the excess length. It’s that sharp stubby cut end that will eventually nick and bite someone.
Lee asked for some help coming up with a way to avoid sharp cable tie ends:
For cable ties, I deal with them almost in a daily basis, and of course need to cut the end in case it got caught into the machines. But… problem comes, when cleaner or operator need to change the wear & tear parts, they cut themselves. What is your advice on flush cutter?
A little over a year ago, I posted about nylon cable tie tools. That’s what you want.
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Sure, you could use scissors, diagonal cutters, or even flush-cutting pliers, but they’re never the best tool for the job. Sometimes they come close.
I have a pair of Lindstrom angled tip cutters that the company sent to me way back for testing, and they work beautifully on smaller sized zip ties. But I only resort to them when a proper cable tie tool won’t fit.
I really don’t like using wire cutters or other pliers-styles cutters on zip ties unless I have to. I often end up with a sharp corner, or a protruding nub that I snip and hack away at it until it gets even worse and I have to resort to an electrical tape or duct tape cover.
The cable tie tool that’s shown above costs just $10. The more cable ties you anticipate needing to properly tension and trim, the more money you might want to spend on better and more durable tools.
All of the ones I’ve seen work on a similar principle. You tighten a cable tie and then twist a tool to shear off the excess length. Some tools might cut the tie, but shearing is usually easier on tools.
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Oh, and if a basic cable tie installation tool doesn’t fit your needs, there are more durable models and more featured models. If you’re installing nylon zip ties on a daily basis, you might want to step up to an installation tool that offers controllable tension, such as the Panduit GTS tool ($166 via Amazon).
Do you have any cable tie flush-cutting tips or tools to share?
fred
As you indicate there are a variety of these – of different qualities and capabilities on the market. Some of the more common ones like those from GB, Midwest, Malco, and Thomas & Betts can be found at local retailers as well as online. There are even ones specific for Stainless Steel ties:
http://www.amazon.com/Morris-Products-50260-Cable-Stainless/dp/B002IWX71M
Band tensioners for wider steel, fiberglass an nylon bands also find use in HVAC work (as well as on the loading dock. You can look at offerings from Band-It (we used their J02069) and Low Country Insulation (Vail Sales).
Norm
I use something like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Euro-Tool-PLR-473-Extra-Cutter/dp/B002SZVE8M
Except its the cheaper ToolShop ones (Mendards). I only use them for wire ties and not any metal. Keeps them sharper (I think, that’s what I tell myself anyway!).
Michael Quinlan
Depending on the application and budget, parallel-entry cable ties may be suitable. The cut stub (of any) stick out parallel to the tie. I mention budget because a quick Google search tells me that parallel-entry cable ties go for about 5 (or more) times what I pay for normal ties.
Tyler
It’s not as fast as a cutter or tool, but if I know I need to avoid sharp edges I’ll use a fresh razor blade to cut the excess flush with the head.
adam
The Stanley 84-135 6-Inch Plastic Nipper Plier, was my favorite for years, and probably still is, but I haven’t been able to find a back-up pair for several years now.
Someone cut something too hard for them, and can’t use 100% of the cutting blade now. I got them on Amazon for $7.44 in June of 2008. I wish I bought more. The spring tension is just enough to always release after a cable cut.
While searching for a replacement, I found the Irwin 4 1/2 Flush Diagonal Plier. It’s not as big, and doesn’t have the same springy-ness I like, but cuts very well and great for smaller places. I know I didn’t pay more then $10, but can’t find them that cheap now (lowest is $13.50 @ Sears). Might be why I bought them
http://www.amazon.com/Tools-VISE-GRIP-Pliers-Diagonal-2078925/dp/B000JNRQJ6
adam
On a side note, one of my jobs involved plastic ties that were accessible to the customer. When setting up the displays that involved the ties, we had to snip all ties FLUSH to prevent cuts. Those ties cant get pretty sharp when not cut flush. So the supervisor would actually go thru and make sure there were no sharp ends after we finished.
After cutting myself on a cut-with-the-wrong-plier tie, I will always cut them correctly, or not cut them at all. I wish there were more true flush-cut pliers available.
Mike
Both Klein and Channelock also make plastic nippers like you described. I have a smaller pair of the Channellock ones, but like yours someone cut steel and badly nicked the blade. “Cut plastic and copper only” in bold letters isn’t enough warning for some people.
Michael
Lowe’s has a pair of Stanley tensioner / cutters that work really nice. They will cost you almost three times what you paid for your old pair.
Mike
I own and carry the Panduit GTS. Had it for 3, maybe 4 years now. It’s a tool that most people don’t need, but if you need it you really need it. The combination of tension and cutting it beyond anything you can do by hand. Its one of those that you don’t understand it’s power till you try it.
Wayne R.
I completely agree. I don’t use anything else but the GTS. But also, using good ties is important – using a good tool on crappy ties will lead to failures, because crappy ties are crappy and close cuts can accelerate the failure.
If it’s important and it needs plastic ties, Panduit or T&B are the only ones to use, and then use the right tool, just like anything else. The GTS is great for projects where lots of (good) ties are needed; overkill for one-offs.
Cheaper ties & cheaper tools are all right for less important jobs.
Garrick
I always keep a small butane torch handy for melting (a bit) of any rough edges. They are great for softening the sharp flashings on plastic tool boxes as well. They can also be used for softening plastic to allow it to be reshaped… within reason. Or to soften plastic prior to cutting it off with a knife.
Kevin
I just use my linesman pliers, grab tail with nose butted up against clip, squeeze twist, and lightly pull. Works like a charm.
Bob
Right On Kevin! I just learned this recently.
Do Not Cut Cable Ties. Just grab close the the square block “Twist & lightly Pull” It works Really Well ! No Sharp edges. I do not believe it affects the strength either. It may take 1 Second longer than cutting, but Much Better!
Stuart
You have to be careful when doing this. For general use, it might not matter. But depending on the tie, twisting near the lock could affect its holding power.
Joe
I’ve never seen anyone actually use one of those tools… and I’m a low voltage electrician. I have one around somewhere that I bought a long time ago and used like once or twice.
Some guys use the twist off with the linesmans; I just use full-flush diagonal cutters.
Steve Davis
These are pretty handy when no tools are available, I keep some in my get home bag. Although they do not see as strong as regular ones.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003DBSBTA/
Benjamen
I have a tool that is probably identical to the tool above only it is orange and black. It doesn’t have any brand on it.
I find that it’s not very useful unless you are using bigger ties. The jaws slip when you are trying to tension smaller ties and it doesn’t seem to cut them as well either. I have to twist back and forth several times before it “cuts”.
When I do use bigger ties, it actually tensions pretty well and cuts thicker ties with a single twist.
Since I usually use smaller ties and don’t bother with the above tool, I end up just hand tensioning and cutting the tie with my Leatherman Micra. I don’t usually notice the sharp edges, but I do see how it could be a problem with bigger ties.
Rhett Smyre
This cable tie gun is designed to be an economically priced option for use with Mil-Spec’d cable ties. This tensioning tool has an adjustable tension knob for use with different size cable ties. Possible hit or miss because of reveiws were good. Maybe I just got a miss. It did not cut ties flush so not useful to me.
Diplomatic Immunity
I used cigar cutters. Put the end through the cigar cutter and press down. Cuts them fairly easily.