PSA: if you have any zip ties on your boat, please read this.

Posted by whyrumalwaysgone@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 75 comments

Alternatively: How to REDUCE ONBOARD STABBINGS with this ONE SIMPLE TRICK!!!!

Seriously folks, if you dont own a pair of flush cutters, please just go buy some. Like $3 at Harbor Freight, even the fancy ones are <$10.

Look at the way the blades angle on the flush cutters (left) vs regular dykes (right). The angle matters too, but dykes are not for cutting zip ties.

Zip ties are sharp. Like really really sharp, unless cut correctly with flush cutters. The next time you have to reach into a small space and a poorly cut zip tie slices a chunk out of your hands/arms I want you to remember this post.

There is literally no way to cut them with your regular dykes/snips that doesn't leave a sharp edge, I will die on this hill. I know it seems silly to own more than one pair of cutting tools, but an engine room or binnacle with no stabby bits is worth it.

Please, from a 20+ year marine electrician with dozens of little scars from zip tie cuts, just get yourself a pair of flush cutters and improve your life. And mine.

[-]

Popeye-SailorMan@reddit

I use cutters, then if it’s somewhere my hand might catch, I’ll smooth it off with a flat file.

Shhheeeesshh@reddit

ABYC E-11 (Marine Electrical) • E-11 / E-9.17.10 ➜ Conductors must be supported or secured at least every 18 inches • E-9.17.10.1–10.3 ➜ Acceptable supports: • Non-metallic clamps • Metal clamps / straps • Cushioned (insulated) clamps • E-8.15.6

➜ Wiring must be supported to relieve strain on connections • Material requirement (E-9.17.10.1) ➜ Supports must resist: oil, fuel, water, and temp range -30°F to 250°F

Zip ties aren’t allowed. Next question.

rausrh@reddit

Not everything zip tied is electrical. Like the body that may or may not be in my trunk.

overthehillhat@reddit

wow

Learn something new

EveryDay

Chuck_Chaos@reddit

How does nema relate? • According to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), cable ties are classified into Type 1 (non-metallic/composite) and Type 2 (metallic), with Type 1 designed for general non-conductive, non-corrosive use.

NEMA doesn’t regulate boats, ABYC does though and I did the legwork and copy and pasted the code for yall.

A normal electrician who lives on a sailboat (that’s full of zip ties 🤷‍♂️)

OrganicParamedic6606@reddit

ABYC doesn’t regulate boats, either.

diekthx-@reddit

Except they are allowed and widely used. Sure they shouldn’t be the sole means of securing cables, and there’s a need for quality ties, but that’s not what you said.

Cool. Thank you for explaining.

gabergum@reddit

Well that’s nonsense. Good luck with that interpretation. Maybe look around next time you are in an engine room, count the zip ties.

NorbertIsAngry@reddit

Aren’t zip ties considered non-metallic clamps?

VeganBullGang@reddit

Isn't ABYC basically a standard invented by super expensive yacht equipment companies to try to convince boat owners that they need the most expensive solutions possible

Waterlifer@reddit

Yes but on the merits they're right in this particular instance.

timeport-0@reddit

Or just don't cut them at all

Most_Lie4970@reddit

Wind industry, we just left the tails on and tucked them.

JoeMalovich@reddit

Tsunoda 4" puller/cutters for zip ties https://a.co/d/0aFGl4aE

scuba_GSO@reddit

Try one of these instead.

Darth_Bruise@reddit

I have always been curious. How great are they?

cleverpunnyname@reddit

Zip tie gun. Tightens and cuts flush. They vary wildly. I’ve had some that work not at all, some that work ok on only certain zip ties, and some that are excellent. The excellent ones cost an absurd amount.

tallpaul00@reddit

They do need to be adjusted - there is a dial knob to adjust them a bit. The cheap one(s) off Amazon do not necessarily arrive adjusted just so that they don't leave sharp ends - test, adjust, test, adjust until it works right. And fix any failed tests with flush cutters, which you'll need anyway for situations where you can't get the tie gun in the right position.

My HVAC ones still leave razors.

The line have was designed for life support equipment (think o2 systems in aircraft) work great. YMMV based on cost for sure.

wildman91@reddit

What is it?

Zip tie gun. Tightens and cuts flush. This one looks like single tension. The one I have does different tensions.

Brilliant, adding to my kit. Uline is great just need to protect from corrosion

whyrumalwaysgone@reddit (OP)

Tried these, the issue is access. Mostly the zip ties we are cutting off are in a tight space and this tool is unusable. Excellent on a big open panel, but that's like 1% of boat jobs.

Odd-Lawfulness3334@reddit

Honest question: Why cut zip ties in tight spaces at all? I always thought cutting them is purely cosmetic.

I can see it. You wouldn’t want those tails flapping around where they could hangman something else. Keep the job neat.

That’s fair for sure. They certainly aren’t meant for tight quarters.

Born-Chipmunk-7086@reddit

Electricians don’t actually cut zip ties. What they do is take linesmen pliers clamp the tail and twist the excess.

Millennialfalcon1995@reddit

FingerNail clippers also work amazing. You can clip with one hand. Get as far down as you like on the zip tie, and it even slightly rounds the edges for you because that’s how nail clippers are shaped.

windgasmuscle@reddit

Was about to suggest this, they are really great, and generally don’t open enough to accidentally cut the housing

NoAge5397@reddit

I get the most cuts from zip ties and hose clamps👎

Plastic_Table_8232@reddit

Nothing bleeds better than a cut from a trimmed stainless zip tie on an exhaust wrap.

LastTreestar@reddit

Velcro FTW

As a Network Engineer, I clip zip ties any time I see them. I care less about clean wire management than having zip ties in the environment.

Foolserrand376@reddit

Cut them sharp. Every boat project needs a blood sacrifice.

RollinThundaga@reddit

r/dontdeadopeninside

fishsticks40@reddit

It's a post about the poop knife.

Flush not. Cutters good.

mologav@reddit

It’s a post about toe knives, don’t botch it when using your toe knife

frogbearpup@reddit

Once in a while, I cut myself and it pusses up. But in three days, it is as good as new!

SNoB__@reddit

Ahhh don't waste a sock!

dwkfym@reddit

yeah this graphic could have been very easy to understand, but it was very poorly executed

scorb1@reddit

Just leave the tail.

StanCorr@reddit

I always use toenail clippers - you get a nice curved end then as well.

millijuna@reddit

If you have good quality ties, get a set of lineman's pliers, grab the tail flush to the catch box and twist it. The tail will twist off cleanly and there won't be any sharp bits poking out.

hardiebotha@reddit

Or get zip tie pliers which will give you leverage to pull them as right as you want, and optionally flush cut them.

joesquatchnow@reddit

Not sure why the comments are so cutting …

Joelinc@reddit

Leave em long. Easier to find and they won’t cut you.

Reptilian_Brain_420@reddit

A better way to do it is to do what electricians (real ones anyways) do. Grab the loose end close to the rachet with some pliers and twist it off. No sharp edges left.

mojoheartbeat@reddit

And if you don't have any pliers, push another ziptie on the tail and use that to twist the tail off.

Suwannee_Gator@reddit

Industrial electrician here, this is good advice! Anybody who doesn’t do this gets a smack on the back of their head.

Lxiflyby@reddit

That’s what I do- get it on then with your lineman pliers as close as you can and then twist them until they fall off

Kremsi2711@reddit

I would never cut them this short

FredIsAThing@reddit

Flush not cutters good?

Half-Borg@reddit

I think are not supposed to flush cutters down the drain. Pretty good advice, but a bit random.

nix206@reddit

No… I think they are saying:

“Flush not!” (Don’t flush the toilet)

”Cutters good!” (We are to be redeemed by the benevolence of good cutters).

It’s pretty straightforward.

olddoglearnsnewtrick@reddit

Yeah!

Scooter87942@reddit

hooe@reddit

Funny how that in that image is the word arrangement is the opposite but people still have the same problem

Top_Community4337@reddit

Use toenail clipper alternatively

OutlyingPlasma@reddit

The other option is just hit the end of the ziptie with a lighter. It melts a nice soft rounded tip on the ziptie. I like to do this even with proper flush cutters.

ilovebacondoyou@reddit

Now go back in time and tell this to the previous owner of my boat.

YouWillHaveThat@reddit

I just never snip the tails.

Crow-Rogue@reddit

Fingernail clippers. Something you need anyway that does the job just as well.

NorCalAthlete@reddit

I mean, you can also usually just rotate the zip tie so that the pointy part is off to one side and less likely to cut you every time you reach past it…former mechanic and 20+ year DIY guy here…I learned to do that pretty early on. It’s not like (well, usually) you’re ever going to try to undo it vs just cutting it off anyway. Rotate it so the pointy end is pointed down and away from anywhere you might stick your arm.

jupiter783@reddit

Don’t bother cutting tails off them in first place. Duh. Cuz why? “It looks nice” gtfo.

Zip ties are crap regardless of what you used to trim them.

Neoprene cushioned stainless steel clamps FTW.