Image by Inha Leex Hale
The world’s cheapest and most versatile gadget is … wait for it … the humble cable tie. That’s right; because, apart from their day to day use in the way in which they were intentioned (neatly tying all those unruly cables together of course) cable ties also have myriad other uses you may never have thought of. And when you think you can buy a whole bag load of them for less than the price of a cup of coffee – this makes them by far the most cost-effective gadget out there.
But first a few basics about cable ties. The name actually covers quite a broad range of products from the one that immediately springs to most people’s minds; the simple ridged nylon cable tie with one point end and tiny triangular teeth all along that only slope in one direction so you can lock them onto things – to far more technically demanding products used by electricians, technicians and other professionals in a wide range of settings.
These latter applications can be extremely demanding. Therefore, they include very high-tech, highly-specified cable ties which are sometimes made from stainless steel, for example, and which may need to be flame resistant and/or have a certain specified tensile strengths or be color-coded etc., for many different types of specialist applications.
Finding the right cable ties to suit your needs can be a tricky task, so make sure you opt for the big online suppliers such as RS Components and Premier Farnell. Unsurprisingly, online shops have dramatically increased in number and are providing full specs and technical details for consumers. If you buy cable ties online through RS, for example, you’ll generally be served full spec details about more demanding “techier” products. This isn’t necessarily the case, though, as you can also buy the bottom end of the market ties from these suppliers.
“Natural” cable ties are the ones most of us are used to. These are usually made from 6.6 nylon grade and are resistant to most chemicals, as well as grease and oil-based products. Cable ties of all descriptions are flame-retardant – the level of which is indicated by the manufacturer. If the requirement is for a cable tie to withstand higher temperatures than others, these are usually made from nylon grade 4.6.
UV protected cable ties (also known as black cable ties) are most commonly used for outdoor applications. They’re also resistant to chemicals, oils and grease but are also resistant to outdoor environmental contaminants, so are used when high tensile holding strength is needed. These are usually made from stronger nylon 12 grade material.
Meanwhile, stainless steel cable ties are usually used when a higher level of protection against corrosion and the general environment is required (where nylon cables could disintegrate). This may be indoor, outdoor or underground.
But for most of our everyday cable-tying requirements, it’s the non-demanding bottom of the market we’re talking about – where the individual price of a humble cable tie is so close to nothing that it really doesn’t warrant calculation.
Now these cable ties have multifarious uses you may never have thought of. So let’s say, for example, you want to use your bike and it’s been snowing. It may be wiser to stay in, but you feel like a little exercise or need that essential bottle of beer from the shops – so what’s a person to do? Well it’s easy; simply tie a cable tie every few inches round each of your bike wheels and hey presto, instant and extremely cheap snow tires that work amazingly well.
Alternatively, if you need to fix a broken toilet handle, or to clip plants upright against a cane, or prevent a toddler from opening a cupboard door you don’t want him or her to access – or you want to temporarily lash any two lightweight objects together for a while – cable ties are the gadgets for the job.
Or what if your zip end breaks off rendering trips to public loos rather embarrassing? Well fear not; if you have a cable tie in your pocket as every good boy scout should have in the 21st century, it’s no problem; an instant replacement.
Once you start thinking about their uses – you wonder how you ever managed without an endless supply of them; just think laterally and you’ll soon see what we mean.
