What is the 1951 version of the tie wrap?

[bkahler]

I've been wondering about this for a long time.  Today plastic tie wraps are used for just able everything, so what was used back in the day? 

 

Now that I'm just about done with all the work under the dash there are a lot of loose wires that I would like to secure a little better.  I could use tie wraps but somehow that just doesn't seem right

 

Any thoughts?

 

Thanks!

 

Brad

[kencombs]

There wasn't a direct equivalent back then.  Wires where bundled with a tape wrapping and the bundle secured with metal clamps or bendable brackets.  Some chassis had the bendable straps spot welded to the dash, firewall, fender splash shields or other specific locations to retain the bundles.   Single wires were never very long from the factory and just dangled there. 

 

 

Aircraft wiring was bundled with waxed thread looped and tied  for the full length.  Neat and looks great.  I have seen some cars done by A&P  mechanics done that way.  

 

Tie wraps for me.   I use a lot of the ones that have a screw loop on the end for mounting.   Even use them for home wiring and plumbing because they are so handy.  Like these: https://www.amazon.com/PERFECT-VISION-MOUNTING-SATELLITE-CT7BLK-MH/dp/B00XUYJZBI

 

 

 

[JBNeal]

Baling wire...but srsly, back in the 50s, it was electric tape for bundles, and in some instances an asphalt coated fabric loom that is still available from several vendors, such as used on the B-1 electric wiper motor pigtail.  Since you're working under the dash, ya have my permission to use zip ties, but only if they're black and less than 6" long and ya trim off the excess 

[TodFitch]

Others mention electrical tape but I suspect the electrical tape used back then was much more like today’s friction tape rather than today’s electrical tape. At least that is what I remember my father using back in the 1950s when he was putting together electronic equipment.

[JBNeal]

The electrical tape that I've removed from these late 40s - early 50s trucks looks like thin adhesive-backed vinyl unidirectional bonding strip that stiffens as it ages...have removed similar tape from tractors of similar vintage...under the dash, I reckon anything goes as long as it doesn't dangle unattractively and/or ventilate smoke going down a bumpy road ?

[kencombs]

1 hour ago, JBNeal said:

Baling wire...but srsly, back in the 50s, it was electric tape for bundles, and in some instances an asphalt coated fabric loom that is still available from several vendors, such as used on the B-1 electric wiper motor pigtail.  Since you're working under the dash, ya have my permission to use zip ties, but only if they're black and less than 6" long and ya trim off the excess 

Yes to black!  and anyone using zip ties should invest in a good tensioning/cutting device.    They trim flush with no sharp end protruding to slash your hands when working in tight quarters.    

[RobertKB]

Nothing wrong with zip ties! Occasionally, new devices are just better than the old, especially if not normally visible. 

[billrigsby]

2 hours ago, kencombs said:

Yes to black!  and anyone using zip ties should invest in a good tensioning/cutting device.   

They trim flush with no sharp end protruding to slash your hands when working in tight quarters.    

 

DITTO - What @kencombs Said!

Can not count how may times my bloody fingers

have come from some dark 'tie-wrapped' area

due to wraps cut sticking out or worst, and at an angle.

 

This is what I use......

Panduit GS2B, GS2BL Operating Instructions.pdf

[kencombs]

53 minutes ago, billrigsby said:

 

DITTO - What @kencombs Said!

Can not count how may times my bloody fingers

have come from some dark 'tie-wrapped' area

due to wraps cut sticking out or worst, and at an angle.

 

This is what I use......

Panduit GS2B, GS2BL Operating Instructions.pdf 401.54 kB · 1 download

Same one I use!  Quality piece.  I've had it since the late 80s, still works. 

[billrigsby]

1 minute ago, kencombs said:

Same one I use!  Quality piece.  I've had it since the late 80s, still works. 

 

Yes it is a great tool, and I've had mine since probably the mid-to-late eighties also,

I've replaced the cutting blade only once and it still works fantastic.

 

 

[bkahler]

Baling wire, I have to admit that's not something I had considered ? and to be honest I don't think it will make the top 10 possibilities under consideration!

 

It would seem most of you don't have issues with using tie wraps.  To be honest they would be my preference as well.  They are just so easy to use and do such a great job.

 

Thanks for the feed back.

 

[Dodgeb4ya]

The original MoPar post war tie straps were made out of aluminum strap....

[billrigsby]

 

Ah, similar, but not quite like the current day CV Boot straps.

Those look easy enough to make, if not currently available.

 

 

[Dodgeb4ya]

They were commonly found 1949 and later MoPars on the heater control cables and 6 volt feed wire tying them together.

Also to be found in NOS heater packages and control packages too.

I have seen then in cars thru 1956.

[bkahler]

I've seen similar before as well but don't recall seeing any on my truck when I dismantled, which doesn't surprise me.  I believe I've also see similar ties on other brands as well.

 

Thanks.

 

[cavisco1]

Panduit still makes the metal ties.

[Eneto-55]

That aluminum "tie" is what I remember seeing as well, but although I cannot tell for sure how the one in the photo is secured, the way I recall seeing them used is that you feed the end through the slot, then bend the 'tongue' back in the direction from which it came.

 

Regarding 'electrical tape" on old vehicles: I've seen two types.  black adhesive cloth tape, and black plastic adhesive tape.  On some somewhat later model cars (like 60's - early 70's) I've seen the non-adhesive plastic wrap on first (looks just like plastic adhesive tape, but no adhesive), then secured with adhesive tape.  By the early 90's, plastic pull-ties used freely.

[bkahler]

1 hour ago, cavisco1 said:

Panduit still makes the metal ties.

 

Do they look like the one shown in the picture by Dodgeby4a?  I googled for a while and could only find one product that looked close to the original style and it was located in Australia and would cost about $100 for 100 delivered.  This a bit much for my taste!

 

[Eneto-55]

3 hours ago, bkahler said:

 

Do they look like the one shown in the picture by Dodgeby4a?  I googled for a while and could only find one product that looked close to the original style and it was located in Australia and would cost about $100 for 100 delivered.  This a bit much for my taste!

 

I would imagine that a company with a laser could cut out a bunch in a hurry, and probably not all that much for cost.  (But I may be severely behind the times regarding what to expect for costs.)

[Plymouthy Adams]

On 12/19/2021 at 8:39 PM, Dodgeb4ya said:

The original MoPar post war tie straps were made out of aluminum strap....

 

 

good pictures......just worked a couple of these stock strap on as factory supplied 1970 model.....very handy, very re-usable with care given to removal.

Edited December 22, 2021 by Plymouthy Adams

[billrigsby]

7 hours ago, cavisco1 said:

Panduit still makes the metal ties.

 

Those are all locking, are they not?

Used on CV Joint Boots.

[billrigsby]

 

 

Here you go, out of Newport KY

No pricing need to email for a quote.

 

    

 

Aluminum Cable Ties (Slot & Tongue Tags)

 

 

Edited December 22, 2021 by billrigsby

[bkahler]

17 hours ago, billrigsby said:

 

 

Here you go, out of Newport KY

No pricing need to email for a quote.

 

    

 

Aluminum Cable Ties (Slot & Tongue Tags)

 

 

 

I saw this company earlier in my searches but at the time I just did a quick scan of what they had and the sizes just seemed to be way to large.  However after taking a second look just now it appears they may have some sizes more in tune with what would be appropriate for our trucks.  I just finished sending them a message asking for details and places to buy.  At the moment it appears they probably prefer to sell in bulk to customers and I don't think I fit the description of needing bulk wire ties 

 

Thanks,

 

Brad

 

 

[Sniper]

On 12/19/2021 at 8:47 AM, kencombs said:

Aircraft wiring was bundled with waxed thread looped and tied  for the full length.  Neat and looks great.  I have seen some cars done by A&P  mechanics done that way.

 

Not just aircraft, lots of electronics were done that way too.  It's called cable lacing

 

https://makezine.com/2009/07/28/lost-knowledge-cable-lacing/

[TodFitch]

43 minutes ago, Sniper said:

 

Not just aircraft, lots of electronics were done that way too.  It's called cable lacing

 

https://makezine.com/2009/07/28/lost-knowledge-cable-lacing/

They used the style called NASA in that article where I worked on my first job out of college.

 

There was another one, not labeled in that article which was basically a series of clove hitches. Faster because they didn’t have to stop and cut the tape on each knot.

 

It takes some practice to cable lacing neatly. The people on the line got pretty darned fast while still keeping it looking great.

 

Not sure I would want to try it laying on my back working under the dashboard. But if you are working on a harness on a layout board (sheet of plywood with pins to guide the wires and hold the terminals) it isn’t too bad. I recall that they usually had a old timer master build the first cable in place then they would remove it and use it to make a layout board for mere mortals to use to make the production harnesses.