Adjustable Wiring Band?

[Ralgha]

I was routing a USB cable for powering fun things and came across this piece that's used to secure a stock wiring run along the cowl frame. It looks like it should work like those metal bands that you screw to tighten/loosen, but it's not a screw head. Anybody know what this is and if it's possible to loosen/tighten it? It would be pretty handy to put my own wires into it too.

My USB cable is zip tied over the top of it in the picture.

[crazymadbastard]

I think what you are referring to are zip ties that have built in retaining pins- or "trees"- only way is to usually cut them and use new ones, once you try to remove em they usually snap off, sometimes you can pick a zip tie with a needle or pick and get them to open up.

[Ralgha]

The zip tie in the middle of the picture is mine, my question refers to the thing to the right of it. It resembles a zip tie, but has something like a screw attached to it that secures it to the frame.

[crazymadbastard]

Originally Posted by Ralgha

The zip tie in the middle of the picture is mine, my question refers to the thing to the right of it. It resembles a zip tie, but has something like a screw attached to it that secures it to the frame.

That is what some call a tree- it pushes into the metal hole and holds it in there like a screw, i have seen them where you can push a button and be able to open the zip tie, they are normally one time use- that "screw" part breaks off as is molded onto the zip tie.

[verboten1]

Christmas tree in the plants. If you want something adjustable, use Velcro

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Ralgha]

Originally Posted by crazymadbastard

That is what some call a tree- it pushes into the metal hole and holds it in there like a screw, i have seen them where you can push a button and be able to open the zip tie, they are normally one time use- that "screw" part breaks off as is molded onto the zip tie.

Ah that looks like it, what are they called if I went to a hardware store for them?

[crazymadbastard]

Originally Posted by Ralgha

Ah that looks like it, what are they called if I went to a hardware store for them?

look in automotive store for zip ties- not sure I have seen them. Fir tree zip ties. Probable have better luck at dealership, ebay or amazon.

[Ralgha]

Do you know what size the hole in the frame is? Will one of these ties for a 1/4" hole fit?

[Ghostt]

Originally Posted by verboten1

Christmas tree in the plants. If you want something adjustable, use Velcro

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm digging the Velcro straps idea

[verboten1]

that is what we use when building our systems, since they need to be reconfigurable. its cheaper on amazon than at an electrical supply place.

[InvisiBill]

If you're careful, you can lift the catch of a ziptie with a small pocketknife, allowing you to open it back up and reuse it. It looks like you have some extra length left on those, so that might be an option.

This obviously works a lot better for adding a new permanent wire to factory zipties once, as opposed to a situation where you're constantly changing things around. I concur with the velcro strips like verboten1 posted in that situation.