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Packing Ties vs. Cable/Zip Ties

Scar Mountain

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Mar 18, 2025
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If I don't want to spend on zip ties, is it alright to bind the cabling in a complete system with the surplus simple packing ties various wired items ship with?

(Is there a built-in way to display a smaller resolution image in-thread? Other forums usually scale this automatically IME.)


IMG_27565.jpg
 
Solution
Why would you expect this to cause a problem? The cables themselves don't care what is used to bind them.

Cable ties suck because they're single-use items and to remove them, you have to bring a sharp blade near delicate cables. This can be overcome by using reusable/releasable ones, which can be unlocked to remove them. Or you can opt for velcro hook-and-loop straps, which are reusable as well as more durable than plastic that can perish over time.

I'm cheap and hate unnecessary waste, so I reuse packing ties for my cable management. This has worked fine for every computer I've built over literally decades.
If You don't short anything with wires in this packing ties it's not a problem, You can even just use string or shoelace :)
For example in electric wiring if You haven't got zipties or other cable management You could just snip some cable and use it as cable ties. What works for You and don't short anything, and be carefull around components, cause there is voltage and current, and can make short.
Edit. And don't tighten it to much to not expose wire from this packing ties.
 
Last edited:
Why would you expect this to cause a problem? The cables themselves don't care what is used to bind them.

Cable ties suck because they're single-use items and to remove them, you have to bring a sharp blade near delicate cables. This can be overcome by using reusable/releasable ones, which can be unlocked to remove them. Or you can opt for velcro hook-and-loop straps, which are reusable as well as more durable than plastic that can perish over time.

I'm cheap and hate unnecessary waste, so I reuse packing ties for my cable management. This has worked fine for every computer I've built over literally decades.
 
Solution
About zipties there are reusable zipties, not as popular as normal zipties. (ah and about zipties i hate to disconnect them for new build, cause when i was clipping one i cut power cord to pc speakers.

1742993692970.png
 
Zip ties are fine for SOME things, which are/will be somewhat permanent, however, in the rigs I build for my clients as well as my own, I use either the reusable ones like above, or the simple twisty ties like those on a loaf of bread or other packaged goods, then carefully trim off the excess with really small wire cutters, leaving just enough to be able to untwist them later...

But as already stated, the cables themselves will not care one way or the other, just DON'T over-tighten any of them, which can damage the wires inside the cable & cause all sorts of problems :)
 
If you are looking for a cheaper and not permanent solution I would recommend looking up for lacing cord, widely used on aviation cable management and rc cars/planes as such.

It keeps cables neatly organized, it looks pretty and it's not too expensive
 
Just buy one 100 pack of those. They are reuseable for many things

And if they do not fit you can use several of those to extend them.

I use them for any cable related cable management inside and outside of the computer case.

91iBjxvPlYL._AC_SX679_.jpg


-- those zip ties you showed I use only for my car.
 
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