# Putting away my cable ties at last **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 18, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384 "2021-05-18T18:35:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/1 "2021-05-18T18:35:30Z")
Over the years I amassed an impressive trove of plastic cable ties in a variety of lengths and colors. It was easy to do really, I’d buy some cable ties, use some of them, then put the rest away no where in particular. When I needed another cable tie I wouldn’t find those and I’d go out and buy more cable ties. Rinse, repeat. Now I’m finally cleaning up and organizing tools and materials and parts and boxes of things I’d forgotten about and boxes of things my kids left in the basement and stuff that I have no idea where it came from and time and again an opened package of cable ties would emerge. So now I have an entire drawer of my tool cabinet dedicated to cable ties, all sorted by size and color, plus a few adhesive backed Velcro pads that have no other home. I savor the small victories these days. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/2 "2021-05-18T19:05:39Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > So now I have an entire drawer of my tool cabinet dedicated to cable ties, all sorted by size and color Hey, you know what would be really great at bundling those together… ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/3 "2021-05-18T19:22:51Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Hey, you know what would be really great at bundling those together… Electrical tape? ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/4 "2021-05-18T19:35:43Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Electrical tape? Bingo ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/5 "2021-05-18T19:47:26Z")
Guess what else is going to need it’s own drawer. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/6 "2021-05-18T20:43:23Z")
**[TTIWWP](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=TTIWWP)** ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/7 "2021-05-18T20:50:56Z")
[![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/p7jbtIbZKwQ/hqdefault.jpg "asorted lengths of wire") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7jbtIbZKwQ) ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2021, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/8 "2021-05-18T20:57:51Z")
[Choose](https://lmgtfy.app/?q=pictures&t=i) ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/9 "2021-05-19T01:00:00Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > Electrical tape? Please, no. I hate bundling anything with almost any kind of tape. It always seems to leave whatever was bundled sticky with transferred, degraded & very tenacious adhesive goo. I also don’t love cable ties, especially on a new piece of equipment that the manufacturer could reasonably guess you’d want the cable long. For example, a new blender or other countertop appliance. “Want to use your new microwave? Not till after you find some wire cutters!” The best bundling material is that doublesided velcro often included on new laptop supplies. I also frequently use some scrap cable/wire like old Cat-5. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/10 "2021-05-19T01:04:20Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > The best bundling material is that doublesided velcro often included on new laptop supplies. I just found some of those and put them in the cable tie drawer. Cable ties are for more permanent connections. In that regard they are second only to duct tape for utility. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/11 "2021-05-19T01:37:20Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Cable ties are for more permanent connections. In that regard they are second only to duct tape for utility. I don’t disagree with the cable ties for installed equipment like server racks but condemn duct tape for bundling for anything but the shortest duration … like hours or perhaps days. If it’s not tenacious sticky goo all over the bundle, it quickly transitions to a powdery, stringy headache. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/12 "2021-05-19T01:39:32Z")
Many years ago when I had a large basement I bought about 50 tupperware-like plastic tubs about 18"x24"x8" high. They’re translucent enough you can easily see generally what’s in them. One is cable ties. One is tidbits left over from toilet repairs. Another is tidbits from sink drain & faucet repairs. Another is glues & putties. One is 802.11 cables. Another is rotting land-line phone connectors & accessories. Mobile phone tidbits, USB cables, and chargers, etc., etc. They stack neatly together and fit neatly on a standard set of Home Depot garage shelves, be those plastic or metal. You’re welcome. Nowadays living in a much smaller condo, the vast majority of those have been disposed of. But I still have the glues and the cable ties and the USB stuff. The CATV stuff, RCA cables, and POTS stuff is long gone. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2021, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/13 "2021-05-19T03:10:36Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > > [@Joey\_P](#): > > > > Electrical tape? > > Please, no. I mean, it was a joke, since the answer was obviously meant to be cable ties. Besides, the problem with taping bundles of cable ties is that as soon as you pull a few of them out, the whole bundle falls apart. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > For example, a new blender or other countertop appliance. “Want to use your new microwave? Not till after you find some wire cutters!” Any time I get something new with a cable tied power cord, I always try (often with more force than is probably wise) to pull out just enough of the cord to reach the outlet, then tighten the cable tie around the remaining loops. If I can’t, yeah, got to find a wire cutter or sharp/pointy scissor. But even then, I’ll do my best to keep as much of the cord looped/folded as I can so I can zip tie it again. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > The best bundling material is that doublesided velcro often included on new laptop supplies I do love those. I have several rolls of them. I’ve also found that if you’re using it for something ‘small’, it works best to cut them in half so you don’t have to wrap it around the cables over and over resulting in a giant, stupid looking, velcro coil. I use them just about everywhere I would use a zip tie in a temporary or less than permanent situation. Cables behind computers. Car electrical system cables (ie Power Probe), water/pneumatic hoses etc. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/14 "2021-05-20T01:30:05Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I mean, it was a joke, since the answer was obviously meant to be cable ties. I know but I wanted to add my rant against tape for bundling. Sorry I made it seemed directed at you. > [@Joey\_P](#): > > I always try (often with more force than is probably wise) to pull out just enough of the cord to reach the outlet, then tighten the cable tie around the remaining loops. I know exactly what you mean but it seldom works with zip ties since they’re almost always pulled tight and you simply can’t pull much slack out. But I do this a lot with twist ties: Untie it, release a few loops of cable, tie back the remaining bundled loops. > [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’ve also found that if you’re using it for something ‘small’, it works best to cut them in half so you don’t have to wrap it around the cables over and over resulting in a giant, stupid looking, velcro coil. I got a few rolls of [continuous double sided velcro](https://www.amazon.com/SecureTM-Cable-Ties-Continuous-Black/dp/B00AB1CG78) years ago. You can cut off about two and a half inches or less for small cables. A standard office paper staple does a fine job attaching it and it’s plenty long enough for small cables like headphones or USB chargers. Larger cable? Just cut off a longer length. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/15 "2021-05-20T01:43:50Z")
I made the tape drawer today. It needed to be a taller drawer so I could put rolls of duct tape in it. These should really be hanging somewhere so in a little while I’ll have a rack mounted on the wall for hanging all sorts of items and the tape drawer will be available again. Besides the duct tape I have about 6 rolls of electrical tape in various colors, 2 rolls of masking tape in 1" and 2" widths plus a roll of green painters masking tape, 1 roll of extra strong polyethylene tape, 2 rolls of ordinary packing tape, 1 roll of silver duct sealing tape, and 1 roll of film splicing tape. There are more rolls of tape at large. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/16 "2021-05-20T02:11:03Z")
If you’re going to use a temporary bundling tool, I’d go with twist ties, or maybe rubber bands for bigger stuff. (But I hate using rubber bands if I have to twist them over more than once.) I actually preferred securing my SSD in my old computer (that wasn’t designed for one) with twist ties instead of cable ties. Not for easy removal, but because it was a pain to try and get the cable ties tight enough so the SSD didn’t rattle. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/17 "2021-05-20T03:37:28Z")
Ashley [discussing the tendency of electricians to use electrical tape]: > [@](#): > > These practices are exceedingly practical and expeditious. > > It is characteristic of workmen that what the carpenter fashions of wood and nails the tinsmith makes of tin, the blacksmith of strap iron, and the pipe setter of pipe, the sailor gets his result with rope and spars. (So, I guess, if you are a sailor then you obviously tidy your cable ties with a piece of twine.) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/18 "2021-05-20T03:56:18Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > The best bundling material is that doublesided velcro often included on new laptop supplies. I also frequently use some scrap cable/wire like old Cat-5. The best bundling material is tie line, IMO. I keep a spool as well as a bunch cut to length. Heck, I even bundle tie line with tie line. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/19 "2021-05-20T10:36:55Z")
On the truck-drivers forum I frequent, a common question has been about what essential equipment a temporary/agency driver needs to carry in their bag. Apart from obvious things like socks and a wash kit, cable ties are always considered essential. I have used them to tie up broken bumpers, damaged mud flaps and rear lights. Along with a screwdriver (also essential) to punch holes, they can stitch side curtains together. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2021, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384/20 "2021-05-20T13:30:28Z")
I’ll use a velcro tie if the wire came with it, but otherwise, gaffer’s tape. Handles like duck tape, but the adhesive is much weaker, so it comes off clean. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/putting-away-my-cable-ties-at-last/942384.md?page=2)