Zip Ties

How come fuel line zippies cost 10x as much as similar zip ties? I mean c'mon, they have a little curve in the large part, that can't add to the cost can it? So I bought some small ones last year thinking they should be fine for small motors, but they break real easy and I'm ending up putting 2 on when I'd like to use one. Is there a better way to attach fuel lines? How come regular zips are so prone to leak? Almost seems like there should be a trick to making them work.

The ones for fuel lines are stronger and gold tighter before breaking as you found out. Gotta remember...if it is for a boat...it will cost a lot more !! But typically those expensive parts work better. When it comes to a fuel leak on a boat.....I won't take that chance. Fuel ties are chicken feed when it comes down to boating expenses. BOAT..".break out another thousand" unfortunately true !

Mine is Break Out Another Tenner! She's a cheap date. LOL

You know I've got normal ties that are awfully tough to break, they just don't seal as well. I'd never have thought that little gap where the tie doesn't contact the hose would make such a difference. Been thinking about what I might stuff in there to fill in the gap. Wouldn't take much. Insulation off a small wire?

There are zip tie guns, that will snug them up better than pulling with needle nose pliers. I just use the mini metal hose clamps and try not to overtighten thus,deforming the hose.

Not all plastics are gasoline resistant/proof.

Roger

I like the stainless steel zip ties but you have to be carefull you can tighten them too much on something like a fuel line and cut through the line. I get them in bulk at harbor freight. They get used on all sorts of things around the farm and unlike most plastic ones won't degrade in the sun or when coming into contact with oils/fuels and critters won't chew on them.

flatheadsteve said:

I like the stainless steel zip ties but you have to be carefull you can tighten them too much on something like a fuel line and cut through the line. I get them in bulk at harbor freight. They get used on all sorts of things around the farm and unlike most plastic ones won't degrade in the sun or when coming into contact with oils/fuels and critters won't chew on them.

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Interesting, can you link me to the HF ties? I find the nylon zippies a little bit aggravating.

I have a tightening gun, but it'll break the little fuel zips I bought with little effort. Guess should have bought the next size bigger maybe.

Tried to paste a link and it wouldn't work but this should help ya out.

I buy mine from Boats.net. I think they are .11 each or $11/bag of 100. WELL WORTH IT.

I have used regular zip ties many times and usually don't have issues with leaks as long as the hose is a good fit to start with. The clamp really shouldn't be the only thing sealing the hose, they're mainly just an assurance to keep it from being pushed off.

A regular zip tie tends to snug down in a oval shape. In some cases that can pinch the hose, pulling it away from the fitting and creating a leak. The same thing can happen with worm drive clamps if they're not sized correctly to the hose.

You may have got an old set of ties that were sitting on the shelf for a long time. UV degrades them just like fishing line, I bought some larger ones once that were very weak and brittle from sitting.

Thanks for the info gentlemen! How do you tighten the stainless ones though? Any danger of actually cutting the hose?

Is anyone else using 4" marine ties or are the 8" ones the way to go? I bought the smaller ones, cause, yep I'm cheap, but also because I figured I'm working on small motors so maybe that's what the small zips are made for. I just can't get a lot of pull on them before they snap. I've wasted at least half of them and with doubling them up I prob ain't saving a dime.

LaqueRatt said:

Thanks for the info gentlemen! How do you tighten the stainless ones though? Any danger of actually cutting the hose?

Is anyone else using 4" marine ties or are the 8" ones the way to go? I bought the smaller ones, cause, yep I'm cheap, but also because I figured I'm working on small motors so maybe that's what the small zips are made for. I just can't get a lot of pull on them before they snap. I've wasted at least half of them and with doubling them up I prob ain't saving a dime.

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Pliers...needle nose work well and yes it will cut through fuel line if you get carried away tightening them down

Some are made of better nylon than others. I got some online for a super cheap price, and they are super brittle and weak. I use them for things that don't matter. I used a bunch today while processing meat chickens. They get used for maybe 5 minutes, then get thrown away with the guts.

The good ones can be incredibly strong, and are very UV resistant. The strongest ones are always black, as far as I have seen.

OK, I gotta know. Whatcha doing with those chickens? LOL

I used to help Grandma process chickens and we didn't use any zip ties! I hated it to be honest. Lots of blood and boiling water. Plus headless chickens would run around the yard spurting blood everywhere if they got away from you. You gotta see it to believe it.