Velcro Self-Gripping Straps
By Stuart Deutsch
Velcro self-gripping straps are a great alternative to cable ties, especially when you’re dealing with delicate materials such as AV wires. They’re strong, lightweight, reusable, and available in several different colors and sizes.
I’m typically a fan of cable ties, but not when they damage the material I’m fastening – or are a real pain to use. Having to tighten and then trim a handful of ties gets frustrating really quickly. And let’s not even talk about what happens when I realize I need or want to change things. It seems that those moments only come immediately after I already secured fifty ties in place.
If you’re not familiar with these straps, take a closer look at the above photo. With a slot at one end, it resembles a cable tie. You loop one end through the slot, tighten your bundle, and then wrap the remaining length around your bundle. An alternative technique involves securing the first loop around a single wire and then looping it around your bundle. This provides a slightly tighter bundle, but is a bit harder to reposition without removing the strap.
8″ ties are a nice size to have on hand, and are economical at about 30 for $4 or 50 for $6 at the big-box retailers. In case you’re wondering, these are made right here in the USA.
Velcro Reusable Straps [Manufacturer]
Street Pricing (50 pack) [Google Products]
Via Amazon
December 4th, 2007 at 11:34 am
Great stocking stuffers! I’m definitely going to pick some up.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
I bought the 50 pack from here: http://cableorganizer.com/wire-wrap/ and I have never regretted it! These things are super handy.
December 4th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
I get mine from my local Home Depot. The 6″ 50 pack costs about $4.99 (maybe it’s $5.99) but it’s a way better deal than the 5 pack for a buck and change. It comes with 25 Grey and 25 black Velcro ties, but I wish the split was more like 40 black to 10 grey, because I always have to run to get another pack to get more black ties.
December 4th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
These are great for securing power cords, especially wall-wart chargers and computer cables.
December 4th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
I’ve already got everything permanently zip-tied together that’s gonna stay together, but I recently got a laptop and was looking for something like this (wasn’t looking too hard, though) to help organize all my cables in my laptop bag. Between the A/V cables too hook it up to a TV, the power cord, the mouse, the docking and power cables for my phone, and a cord for my camera, I’ve got a bit of a tangle going on.
December 4th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
I really like these and have all my portable power tool cords “tangle free”. I have also found rolls of two-sided Velcro in different colors are exceptionally handy around the house. It has been some time so I can’t rember where I got mine, but it is available on eBay and http://www.buyhookandloop.com/ and others. Look for ” VELCRO ONE-WRAP®”.
December 4th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
A friend of mine who makes diag cables for VWs hands those things out at shows with his company name on them. At the AAPEX show, we hand them out right and left all day long, people seem to like ‘em a lot. I’ve wrapped up a bunch of cables that come with the factory VW scan tool (way too long cables, way too many that are never used).
These things are great for cables/hoses/cords/ ect. You can’t purchase too many.
December 4th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
I have a Rip-Tie RipWrap 1/2″ x 75′ roll. Yes, thats 75 feet =) It’s a velco type thing that you cut to size. Not bad for $12. You can also find them at Fry’s if you’re near one.
http://shop4.outpost.com/product/4288814?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
December 11th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
[...] Recent talk of cable ties and velcro gripping straps around the Toolmonger offices makes me think it’s a good time to share my favorite source of cable management tools and supplies: CableOrganizer.com. Appropriatly named, CableOrganizer carries a wide variety of cable and wire management products – as well as a nice selection of Klein tools and other specialty items. [...]