Post by tphase on Jul 12, 2012 18:21:54 GMT -5
cable ties are designed to be disposable temporary fixtures however they can be reused (well, a lot of them can). OK, they're not exactly a big-ticket item but if you're up a tall ladder and need one or two ties to finish a job, having dropped your bag of fresh ones, re-use is preferable to re-climb.
If you can get something under the catch and lever it up a little, you can slide the free end out. A small flat blade screwdriver is the tool of choice but anything a bit pointy can often be made to work. Even the free end of the tie itself will work, though you may need three hands to do it until you have practiced a bit. If the catch is awkward to release, tighten the tie very slightly - the catch will lift as it rides over the next ridge which will give you the gap you need to release it.
Elections are great times for freeing up good-quality, heavy-duty ties - after the election is over of course but before they get around to removing the posters. (No wonder elections cost so much, the ties probably cost as much as the posters.) The catches on these are big so they're easy to release. Top tip - if the ties are on telegraph/ESB poles wear latex or nitrile gloves, the tar gets everywhere.
Places like communications towers can also be good places to find really good ties (found some ~10-12mm wide and ~1m long in Achill a few years ago) though they are more likely to be using proper cable clamps. Still, I keep my eyes open around such installations....
When cutting ties, clip them at the free end close to the catch - you now have a short(er) but usable tie. (I presume it's clear what I mean by the free end?)
In my experience, white ties seem to degrade faster than black ones out of doors.
For long-term outdoor attachments, use UV-resistant ties.
If you can get something under the catch and lever it up a little, you can slide the free end out. A small flat blade screwdriver is the tool of choice but anything a bit pointy can often be made to work. Even the free end of the tie itself will work, though you may need three hands to do it until you have practiced a bit. If the catch is awkward to release, tighten the tie very slightly - the catch will lift as it rides over the next ridge which will give you the gap you need to release it.
Elections are great times for freeing up good-quality, heavy-duty ties - after the election is over of course but before they get around to removing the posters. (No wonder elections cost so much, the ties probably cost as much as the posters.) The catches on these are big so they're easy to release. Top tip - if the ties are on telegraph/ESB poles wear latex or nitrile gloves, the tar gets everywhere.
Places like communications towers can also be good places to find really good ties (found some ~10-12mm wide and ~1m long in Achill a few years ago) though they are more likely to be using proper cable clamps. Still, I keep my eyes open around such installations....
When cutting ties, clip them at the free end close to the catch - you now have a short(er) but usable tie. (I presume it's clear what I mean by the free end?)
In my experience, white ties seem to degrade faster than black ones out of doors.
For long-term outdoor attachments, use UV-resistant ties.