sandyc
Veteran Member
Just saw on GEARZ that you can use a lighter and heat the ends which rounds out the ends and makes them dull. I personally use colored tape and wrap it around the hoses. Makes it easier to see in the dark when blowing snow!
What are these things called?
- Thread starter sandalwood
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Sysop
Elite Member
- Joined
- Jun 7, 2013
- Messages
- 3,301
- Location
- Fairmont, WV
- Tractor
- Mahindra 4035HST purchased 2013 - Husqvarna TS348-D purchased 2019 - Craftsman 42" HST purchased 2003
The things in the first post sort of remind me of a single loop of a spiral coil binder.
OP
sandalwood
Silver Member
Great suggestions everyone.
Anybody have the things in the photo (original post) on their tractor and know what they are called or a part number?
Anybody have the things in the photo (original post) on their tractor and know what they are called or a part number?
bindian
Super Member
Zip ties, or to use aviation speak.........................Ty raps. You can buy colored ones from your local auto supply store.
hugs, Brandi
hugs, Brandi
AxleHub
Elite Member
To eliminate the edges on zip ties I've used 2 different methods:
a. a dremel rotary tool with a small sanding sleeve. the advantage is you can round or smooth without needing to "close cut" which can weaken the zip tie.
b. Use a single drop of super glue on the cut edge. The advantage is not in "gluing anything" . . its a softener of plastic and vinyl . . and sharp edges or points will easily soften and round without any further effort on your part.
a. a dremel rotary tool with a small sanding sleeve. the advantage is you can round or smooth without needing to "close cut" which can weaken the zip tie.
b. Use a single drop of super glue on the cut edge. The advantage is not in "gluing anything" . . its a softener of plastic and vinyl . . and sharp edges or points will easily soften and round without any further effort on your part.
firemanmike69
Silver Member
I have a special pair of side cutters that are flush on the backside for cutting cable ties it's leaves the edge flush, no extra steps and no more cuts
AxleHub
Elite Member
The problem with having zip ties cut flush is there is no leeway if they flex in the heat or cold and work loose. Its true they look very neat . . but I always like to have a little knub for play or retightening (1/8 inch or more).
bumperm
Veteran Member
Having installed literally thousands of the darn things with several different purpose made installation tools that tension the tie then cut it off flush, I've never experienced issues with loosening due to thermal coefficients of expansion or otherwise. Too, we use mostly black ones, which should be worse as they absorb heat more (my company uses them - alarm systems) and also in aviation (one of my addictions). The white or "natural" ones do degrade outdoors and get brittle due to UV exposure, the black ones are better for that. Since most all nylon ties use a small toothed arm that engages serrations in the strap part, one can see that if it fails in a manner so as to come loose, it's pretty much a goner whether or not it's cut flush or with a nub or tail left.
A side note for using ties on mechanical things that vibrate . . . if applied directly to metal, the nylon, especially if there's oil or grease, will hold any abrasive dust or dirt and act as a binder, cutting into the metal over time. I've removed a tie from an engine mount and found the tie's serrations cut into the underlying metal - amazing (at least to me!). So, when applying ties to metal, I always use either some a split piece of old heater hose, or chafe tape under the tie.
AxleHub
Elite Member
I've never heard of chafe tape. Is it like a teflon tape or a vinyl or ?? Where do you get it?
I've found tie wraps/zip ties to be both a blessing and a curse. I often reuse them over and over . . and I was surprised many don't know how . . especially on the heavy duty versions used in heating and air.
On the other hand many see zip ties as harmess because they are plastic . . yet as you've mentioned also . . they can me quite abrasive (or cutting) themselves in the heavier versions . . and quite abrasive when dirt mixes with them.
Some of the heavier duty ones I've often used as a makeshift rasp or saw . . As their long edges can be very sharp and durable in thicker sizes . . and cut like tin or copper if not careful.
Going back to chafe tape . . is it available in different sizes or weight grades ?
I've found tie wraps/zip ties to be both a blessing and a curse. I often reuse them over and over . . and I was surprised many don't know how . . especially on the heavy duty versions used in heating and air.
On the other hand many see zip ties as harmess because they are plastic . . yet as you've mentioned also . . they can me quite abrasive (or cutting) themselves in the heavier versions . . and quite abrasive when dirt mixes with them.
Some of the heavier duty ones I've often used as a makeshift rasp or saw . . As their long edges can be very sharp and durable in thicker sizes . . and cut like tin or copper if not careful.
Going back to chafe tape . . is it available in different sizes or weight grades ?
bumperm
Veteran Member
Sorry bout that, anti-chafe tape is a generic term that I guess could apply to many tapes depending on application.
The very best, toughest, abrasion resistant tape is doubtless UHMW PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) - mostly referred to as "UHMW". Handy for all manner of things where you want both low friction and high wear and abrasion resistance. Comes in varying thicknesses, you'll want something close to 5 mils if flexibility is important, as you get to about 10 mils (0.010") it starts getting less conformal, though even the thinner tape will not do compound curves as the material is just too mechanically strong to stretch much. Do a search on Amazon for UHMW tape. Oh, also it's available with either acrylic or rubber based adhesives . . . in most cases, acrylic adhesive is stronger.
bumper
The very best, toughest, abrasion resistant tape is doubtless UHMW PE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) - mostly referred to as "UHMW". Handy for all manner of things where you want both low friction and high wear and abrasion resistance. Comes in varying thicknesses, you'll want something close to 5 mils if flexibility is important, as you get to about 10 mils (0.010") it starts getting less conformal, though even the thinner tape will not do compound curves as the material is just too mechanically strong to stretch much. Do a search on Amazon for UHMW tape. Oh, also it's available with either acrylic or rubber based adhesives . . . in most cases, acrylic adhesive is stronger.
bumper
