Don’t Cut Off Zip Ties! Here’s an Easy Hack to Reuse Them

When it comes to DIY projects, there are plenty of zip tie hacks out there. These devices are quite handy for quickly securing items, and they take up very little space because they’re generally quite small. They’re versatile tools that are an important component of any DIYer’s arsenal. But they’re often treated as single-use. Once they’ve secured an item, DIYers either leave it there indefinitely or cut it off once they’ve more permanently put the object into place. This means that you’ll have to continue to buy them as you work on more and more projects around the home. Fortunately, there’s another option. In the latest episode of Ask…Scott McGillivray, Scott reviews a DIYer’s hack to reuse zip ties.

What’s the Hack?

The DIYer in the video explains that, contrary to popular belief, zip ties aren’t actually single-use. With a simple tool and a little bit of finessing, you can easily reuse your zip ties from project to project.

He demonstrates how to secure a zip tie first, putting the tail through the latch and then tightening it. But then he takes a flathead screwdriver (a paperclip will work just as well) and gently depresses the tab inside the latch. Once the tab is pressed down, the zip tie is effectively “unlocked.” You can now easily undo it and put it back in your toolbox to reuse on a later project.

What Does Scott Think?

Scott likes this hack quite a bit. Unlike some other hacks, which he has quickly debunked, he excitedly approves of this one. He says that it’s great not just for reusing zip ties but also for fixing mistakes. If you’ve accidentally put the zip tie on backwards, it won’t tighten as much as you need. However, utilizing this hack, you can quickly fix your mistake and continue on with your project. He recommends keeping small flathead screwdrivers in your toolbox so that you’ve always got something on hand to make this hack work.

Tune in to Ask…Scott McGillivray on At Home with Family Handyman for epic builds, DIY fails and pro tips from a guy who’s seen it all.

About the Expert

• Scott McGillivray is a triple-threat expert in real estate, renovation, and finance with decades of experience in the field. Best known for the award-winning series Income Property, he is the host of At Home With Family Handyman’s Ask… Scott McGillivray.

The post Don’t Cut Off Zip Ties! Here’s an Easy Hack to Reuse Them appeared first on Family Handyman.

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