Author Topic: Stainless Steel zip ties (Read 3381 times)

Vtshopdog · « **on:** April 15, 2023, 04:55 PM »

Am I the only one who has never heard of these?? Posting here in case someone else finds useful.
Stumbled across them when searching for stainless clamps for automotive use, pretty cheap, bag of 100 for $10

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072WC1MXT?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Where have they been all my life?! Uses seem to fill the area where a plastic tie won't quite get it done and a hose clamp is overkill or inconvenient.

Packard · « **Reply #1 on:** April 15, 2023, 06:00 PM »

Bridging the gap between a makeshift repair with plastic zip ties that meets “Oh, God. I hope this lasts a while. I know it looks like junk, but it was fast and cheap.”

With the longer lasting, “Oh, God, I hope this lasts longer than the junk repair the other guy made using plastic zip ties. These are 304 stainless steel, almost permanent looks-like-junk repair zip ties.”

As an aside, adding the black colorant to the plastic zip ties makes them far more UV resistant, and less likely to crack and fail. Given the choice, always pick the black zip ties.

The other day I did see a repair to a plastic bumper on a car that was done very neatly with black zip ties all in a row so that it gave the appearance of a football’s lacing. It will probably last a while. Looks like junk. Stainless would likely fail quicker, with the stainless steel slicing through the plastic on the bumper.

And, no. I never came across it before. I will likely find a use for it some day.

Jeff Zanin · « **Reply #2 on:** April 15, 2023, 06:43 PM »

In Canada Princess Auto (a cross between Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply) has these in several lengths. I have only used them once, so secure a telephone wire to an antenna mast, so a light load but subject to wind, sun, rain, etc. - still holding OK.

Cheese · « **Reply #3 on:** April 15, 2023, 06:58 PM »

I've used these to route & bundle stainless Aeroquip brake and fluid lines on motorcycles and cars. The stainless ties look very nice with the stainless lines, a lot nicer looking than nylon ties. These are produced by Panduit and are made from 316 stainless. They come in several widths and up to 800 mm in length.

Packard · « **Reply #4 on:** April 15, 2023, 07:07 PM »

My old Nikon F camera came with a strap that attached to the camera lugs with light duty brass split rings. I replaced them with stainless steel split rings that quickly chewed through the lugs on the camera body. It required an expensive repair.

So, consider what you are binding with the stainless steel cable ties. Stainless sheathed hose might be OK. I would not use it on vinyl or rubber hose.

(I ended up using bronze split rings from a fishing tackle store for the camera strap. Made from round wire, it was strong while not damaging the camera lugs.)

Sparktrician · « **Reply #5 on:** April 15, 2023, 07:09 PM »

Quote from: Cheese on April 15, 2023, 06:58 PM

I've used these to route & bundle stainless Aeroquip brake and fluid lines on motorcycles and cars. The stainless ties look very nice with the stainless lines, a lot nicer looking than nylon ties. These are produced by Panduit and are made from 316 stainless. They come in several widths and up to 800 mm in length.

@Cheese, how do you tension and cut off the excess stainless ties? With the nylon Ty-Raps, I use a tool like this or its predecessor.

Sparktrician · « **Reply #6 on:** April 15, 2023, 07:12 PM »

Quote from: Packard on April 15, 2023, 07:07 PM

My old Nikon F camera came with a strap that attached to the camera lugs with light duty brass split rings. I replaced them with stainless steel split rings that quickly chewed through the lugs on the camera body. It required an expensive repair.

So, consider what you are binding with the stainless steel cable ties. Stainless sheathed hose might be OK. I would not use it on vinyl or rubber hose.

(I ended up using bronze split rings from a fishing tackle store for the camera strap. Made from round wire, it was strong while not damaging the camera lugs.)

@Packard, I use steel split rings from WorthCo on my cameras and for key rings. They're plenty strong, don't rust and look well. They don't cause damage to the ring mounts on the camera bodies. They also don't tear up the ring mounts on my cameras.

ChuckS · « **Reply #7 on:** April 15, 2023, 07:17 PM »

Quote from: Jeff Zanin on April 15, 2023, 06:43 PM

In Canada Princess Auto (a cross between Harbor Freight and Tractor Supply) has these in several lengths. I have only used them once, so secure a telephone wire to an antenna mast, so a light load but subject to wind, sun, rain, etc. - still holding OK.

10 for $5 at PA. I'm asking my neighbor to see if he's interested in sharing the Amazon lot of 100 with me (about $7Cdn per person, if he is). Even a pack of 50 would cost me $11 Cdn on Amazon.

ChuckS · « **Reply #8 on:** April 15, 2023, 07:20 PM »

Quote from: Sparktrician on April 15, 2023, 07:09 PM

snip.

@Cheese, how do you tension and cut off the excess stainless ties? With the nylon Ty-Raps, I use a tool like this or its predecessor.

This Amazon seller suggests this for tensioning/cutting:

ChuckS · « **Reply #9 on:** April 15, 2023, 07:22 PM »

Quote from: Vtshopdog on April 15, 2023, 04:55 PM

Snip.

Where have they been all my life?! Uses seem to fill the area where a plastic tie won't quite get it done and a hose clamp is overkill or inconvenient.

You're a bad boy, or do you work for Amazon on commission?

Now, I have to Amazon shop!

Packard · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2023, 07:35 PM »

Quote from: Sparktrician on April 15, 2023, 07:12 PM

Quote from: Packard on April 15, 2023, 07:07 PM
My old Nikon F camera came with a strap that attached to the camera lugs with light duty brass split rings. I replaced them with stainless steel split rings that quickly chewed through the lugs on the camera body. It required an expensive repair.

So, consider what you are binding with the stainless steel cable ties. Stainless sheathed hose might be OK. I would not use it on vinyl or rubber hose.

(I ended up using bronze split rings from a fishing tackle store for the camera strap. Made from round wire, it was strong while not damaging the camera lugs.)

@Packard, I use steel split rings from WorthCo on my cameras and for key rings. They're plenty strong, don't rust and look well. They don't cause damage to the ring mounts on the camera bodies. They also don't tear up the ring mounts on my cameras.

My Nikon F was from 1965. Later models had the brass lugs with interior sleeves of stainless steel. I, apparently, was not the only one who trashed his camera lugs.

But the point I was making, is sometimes the stronger fasteners are a bad idea. If you take apart a vintage camera, many of the screws on the interior are made from brass. They fit tapped holes in that cast aluminum alloy chassis and the brass screws are less likely to damage that casting than stainless steel screws would.

Vtshopdog · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2023, 08:20 PM »

Quote from: ChuckS on April 15, 2023, 07:22 PM

Quote from: Vtshopdog on April 15, 2023, 04:55 PM
Snip.

Where have they been all my life?! Uses seem to fill the area where a plastic tie won't quite get it done and a hose clamp is overkill or inconvenient.

You're a bad boy, or do you work for Amazon on commission?

Now, I have to Amazon shop!

I'm not particularly fond of Amazon but they seem to offer some interesting enticements banking on the consumer being a bit lazy. They are often more expensive than other options but easy shopping and fast delivery are generally available.

Being a mercenary shopper (I was a retail buyer for many years) here is a brief history of my patronage over the last 12 months.

Last Summer:
Accepted their offer of a free Prime trial membership and a $200 credit for getting their Amazon branded Visa.
Amazon branded card gets 5% rewards when enrolled in Prime
Attempted to cancel free Prime at end of trial and they immediately offered a 30 day free extension that I accepted
Cancelled the extension when it expired

December:
Accept another free Prime 30 day trail offer that was also extended another 30 days when I attempted to cancel

Last Month:
Put something in shopping cart and they offered another free trial. Have been purchasing a lot of auto parts for a suspension project and the fast free prime shipping has been handy as I go along and realize I need another widget. The bulk of my parts were more cost effective to purchase elsewhere even when factoring in the 5% reward.

Bottom line - their algorithm can be manipulated to one's benefit if you only need occasional purchases and can bunch them up in the 30 day free trial period that appears to really be 60 days. This month's free trial expires next week, curious to see if an extension is offered (again)

xedos · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2023, 08:22 PM »

I’ve bought them at the Home Depot before………..years ago.

Frank-Jan · « **Reply #13 on:** April 16, 2023, 02:55 AM »

Quote from: Sparktrician on April 15, 2023, 07:09 PM

Quote from: Cheese on April 15, 2023, 06:58 PM
I've used these to route & bundle stainless Aeroquip brake and fluid lines on motorcycles and cars. The stainless ties look very nice with the stainless lines, a lot nicer looking than nylon ties. These are produced by Panduit and are made from 316 stainless. They come in several widths and up to 800 mm in length.

@Cheese, how do you tension and cut off the excess stainless ties? With the nylon Ty-Raps, I use a tool like this or its predecessor.

I don't use zip ties enough to justify me purchasing such a tool, (with the regular zip-ties I have a precision sidecutter if I want to cut it really short), but I saw they make a version of the tool you mentioned for the stainless ties.

https://professional-electrician.com/products/new-stainless-steel-cable-tie-hand-tool-panduit/

Cheese · « **Reply #14 on:** April 16, 2023, 09:42 AM »

Quote from: Sparktrician on April 15, 2023, 07:09 PM

@Cheese, how do you tension and cut off the excess stainless ties? With the nylon Ty-Raps, I use a tool like this or its predecessor.

Sparky, I just use a pliers or Vise-Grip because the ends will be cut off anyways. The end then gets trimmed with a diagonal cutter and further cleaned up with a 3M Roloc disc on a small Ingersoll Rand hand grinder.

The stainless Panduits connect and slide together very smoothly and unlike a nylon Panduit, once tightened you will never be able to loosen it at all, even just a small amount.

ChuckS · « **Reply #15 on:** April 16, 2023, 09:52 AM »

Quote from: Cheese on April 16, 2023, 09:42 AM

Snip.

and unlike a nylon Panduit, once tightened you will never be able to loosen it at all, even just a small amount.

(Attachment Link)

I'm getting this kind and hope it can be released as the seller describes it:

https://www.amazon.ca/Deecam-Stainless-Multi-purpose-Self-locking-Temperature/dp/B0B1B5GLK7/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=Metal%2BZip%2BTies%2B11.8%2Binch%2B100pcs%2B304%2BStainless%2BSteel%2BZip%2BTies%2BHeavy%2BDuty%2BMulti-Purpose%2BSelf-Locking%2BCable%2BTies&qid=1681596595&sr=8-9&th=1

Sparktrician · « **Reply #16 on:** April 16, 2023, 10:02 AM »

Quote from: Cheese on April 16, 2023, 09:42 AM

Quote from: Sparktrician on April 15, 2023, 07:09 PM
@Cheese, how do you tension and cut off the excess stainless ties? With the nylon Ty-Raps, I use a tool like this or its predecessor.

Sparky, I just use a pliers or Vise-Grip because the ends will be cut off anyways. The end then gets trimmed with a diagonal cutter and further cleaned up with a 3M Roloc disc on a small Ingersoll Rand hand grinder.

The stainless Panduits connect and slide together very smoothly and unlike a nylon Panduit, once tightened you will never be able to loosen it at all, even just a small amount.

@Cheese, I've used the nylon Ty-Raps for decades in my IT/telecom world, and the one thing I really noticed was that it I used dikes to cut off excess material, the cut-off portion left behind would tear the bejabbers out of my hands any time I was working in close proximity. Using the older Panduit tool cut off the excess with a clean edge left behind that wouldn't tear up my hands. That's why I asked about the stainless ties, knowing that I'd be getting stitches every time I used the stainless ones and cut off the excess with dikes.

ChuckS · « **Reply #17 on:** April 27, 2023, 09:00 PM »

Quote from: Cheese on April 15, 2023, 06:58 PM

I've used these to route & bundle stainless Aeroquip brake and fluid lines on motorcycles and cars. The stainless ties look very nice with the stainless lines, a lot nicer looking than nylon ties. These are produced by Panduit and are made from 316 stainless. They come in several widths and up to 800 mm in length.

(Attachment Link)

(Attachment Link)

I split the pack of 100 ties with my neighbor, so we each paid about $7 Cdn for 50. I found an outdoor use of them, as a water tap lock when my family is away from home for a long period of time:

Two ties are needed, one on top, and the other below (as shown in the photo). They won't lock off the tap completely, but will severely restrict the water flow.

Cheese · « **Reply #18 on:** April 27, 2023, 11:50 PM »

Quote from: ChuckS on April 27, 2023, 09:00 PM

(Attachment Link)

Two ties are needed, one on top, and the other below (as shown in the photo). They won't lock off the tap completely, but will severely restrict the water flow.

Back in the States Chuck, those outdoor faucets have removable handles so unless the local rug-rat carries a water pump pliers, once the handle is removed the darling little child is SOOL.

ChuckS · « **Reply #19 on:** April 27, 2023, 11:55 PM »

I did try to unscrew the handle, but the screw started to strip, and so removing the handle didn't look promising.

Cheese · « **Reply #20 on:** April 28, 2023, 12:24 AM »

Quote from: ChuckS on April 27, 2023, 11:55 PM

I did try to unscrew the handle, but the screw started to strip, and so removing the handle didn't look promising.

That's kind of what I thought but I was just checking in.

We seem to have a new outbreak in our neighborhood every 6-7 years of the rug-rats discovering outside faucets. It's been going on for at least 30 years now. Seriously, it's a better alternative than starting dumpster fires.

SRSemenza · « **Reply #21 on:** April 28, 2023, 09:11 AM »

This flush cutter series from Knipex are perfect for trimming plastic zip ties. They are true flush cutters. No bevel on one side of the edge. Hence no good for anything hard. I have the pair with a partial angle to the head ( 72 11 160 ). You need to make sure the head is held even and tight to the tie and they will cut and leave no projecting piece.

Knipex Diagonal Cutter For Plastic

Seth

squall_line · « **Reply #22 on:** April 28, 2023, 09:49 AM »

Quote from: ChuckS on April 27, 2023, 09:00 PM

I split the pack of 100 ties with my neighbor, so we each paid about $7 Cdn for 50. I found an outdoor use of them, as a water tap lock when my family is away from home for a long period of time:

Two ties are needed, one on top, and the other below (as shown in the photo). They won't lock off the tap completely, but will severely restrict the water flow.

I'm fortunate enough that the previous owners installed 1/4-turn shutoffs in the basement for each of the outdoor hose bibs, and since our basement is unfinished and only 8' deep (including the floor joists above), I can reach the handles without any difficulty.

ChuckS · « **Reply #23 on:** April 28, 2023, 10:12 AM »

The water tap in the photo does have two shut-off valves in the basement, and those valves also control the water to the sprinkler system. I shut off the water to both for the winter.

Speaking of valves, the original sprinkler system installer put only one shut-off valve in the basement. Over time, the valve failed and water leaked into the outdoor water tap, causing the pipe to the tap to break (a cause I didn't know). Getting frustrated with repairing the broken copper pipe year after year, I hired a plumber to look into it, and he installed two shut-off valves in the line in the basement. Problem solved permanently.

leakyroof · « **Reply #24 on:** May 01, 2023, 01:00 PM »

I was a late bloomer to the SS zip ties as well...

I use versions from McMaster Carr. Black coated as previously noted, but with the 'tooth' style, so you're tightening up the tie, and it holds much like a common plastic one. I then use Sheet Metal shears to cut the SS tie. Most common usage is keeping things under a vehicle, in place, where previously used Nylon Zip Ties were failing with time/miles, allowing a part to hang or droop. I haven't had a single SS zip tie break on me yet once installed.
They're known as the Perforated Locking style tie wraps.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/tie-wraps/?s=stainless+steel+tie+wraps

Sparktrician · « **Reply #25 on:** May 01, 2023, 04:55 PM »

Quote from: leakyroof on May 01, 2023, 01:00 PM

I was a late bloomer to the SS zip ties as well... I use versions from McMaster Carr. Black coated as previously noted, but with the 'tooth' style, so you're tightening up the tie, and it holds much like a common plastic one. I then use Sheet Metal shears to cut the SS tie. Most common usage is keeping things under a vehicle, in place, where previously used Nylon Zip Ties were failing with time/miles, allowing a part to hang or droop. I haven't had a single SS zip tie break on me yet once installed.
They're known as the Perforated Locking style tie wraps.

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/tie-wraps/?s=stainless+steel+tie+wraps

I, too, am a noob regarding the stainless steel ties. I have always used the Thomas & Betts TY5242MX Ty-Raps (or different sizes) for their weather resistance and strength. I'm grateful for the new knowledge.