Sharp Zip Tie Ends

[Binkles]

Just wondering, for NIC condos, does anyone have a solution for sharp zip tie ends? Of course I have all of mine sticking out of the cage so Little-Bit won’t hurt herself on them. But there are a few on the bottom floor that I’m afraid she might hurt herself on when she’s out of her condo and running around since they’re sticking outward.

What does everyone do to ensure this doesn’t happen? I know that even I, a tough-skinned human, have many a battle wound from being bitten by zip tie ends while I was assembling the thing. I want to make sure that her delicate bunny skin doesn’t even vaguely come in contact.

[Beka27]

i have a couple scars on my hands that i doubt will ever go away. all from walking next to the NIC grid fence and brushing against it. i’m not sure what to tell you b/c i never found a solution, aside from as you said, making sure they are facing outwards…

[BunnyMuffin]

Have you tried melting the ends with a lighter?  My boyfriend just tested this idea for me, and our test zip tie now has a nice smooth, melted end.  Of course, there’d have to be enough room to be able to cut the zip ties off if you ever wanted to remove them since it won’t slide back through once you melt it…  So it would take some patience, since I imagine those condos have quite a few zip ties involved, but it might take care of your problem.

[TARM]

What about wrapping them with some electrical tape? It probably won’t look very good but at least it’ll cover the sharp ends.

[Veronica Vigilant]

The lighter idea works really well- just be very careful, it doesn’t take very long to melt the sharp tip round (I more than once actually lit the plastic on fire and ended up having to blow out a flaming, dripping melted black plastic ziptie!!!!!)

[Binkles]

Ooh melting the ends is a good idea! I think I kind of half-considered this in my mind before, but didn’t really think too much of it.

My mom suggested cutting them down reeeeally short with nail clippers, but I’m afraid that they’ll un-do if I cut them too short. =/

[bunnytowne]

I am just cracking up .   You melted them ahaaa.  Gee. Thats so funny.  YEs I have done that too. 

A more time consuming idea is to file the ends down with a metal finger nail file. I have cut the long part of my zip ties. The are holding up. And yes facing outside the cage.  I haven’t tried the filing too time consuming.

[Veronica Vigilant]

Yeah, a flaming, melting ziptie is pretty funny… in a scary “oh shoot I’m about to burn down my apartment kind of way!”

I’m amazed they can actually catch on fire… I wouldn’t think they would… but I know better now! So everyone remember, you only need to heat the ziptie end for a very very short time- just a few seconds at the most!

[MimzMum]

What size tie are you using Binkles? I have a canister of them, all different sizes. Here’s some examples:

And the smaller ones seem to me to be not as sharp, once cut.

Do they ever UN-zip-tie? 0_o I have to use the minis on Fiver’s door to keep it shut as the cage clips don’t stay put. And I cut them as close to the clasp as I can.

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[BunnyMuffin]

They aren’t designed to un-zip-tie easily, but it can be done.  I’m not sure what the trick is, but I’ve watched my boyfriend unzip plenty of them working on his various projects.

[Beka27]

i don’t think a bunny could unzip them (i know i can’t!) i used to have the multi-pack of different sizes…. but i ran out! so i went and bought a 2000 bag at Home Depot… lol!

i think burning the tips might work for you… but please

TAKE SOME SAFETY PRECAUTIONS! have some water or a fire extinguisher nearby JUST IN CASE!!!

[ScooterandAnnette]

We’ve got a different zip-tie problem. We use them as hinges for the doors on the NIC condo, and binder clips to keep the doors closed. The zipties keep coming loose! They don’t come off, but they don’t stay tight. Anyone else have this problem?
– Annette

[bunnytowne]

Hmm. I have noticed one or 2 come loose but for the most part they stay put. I use it for the door too.

Yes I used to untie them too. There is a certain spot to push on to get them to come apart again.

[MarkBun]

I find using a pair of nail clippers to cut them close enough to not get scratched.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Just a caution with the melting of zip-ties *if memory serves me correctly* heating up plastic and melting it can and does release toxins. I use a finer metal file for woodworking rather than a nail file, note that I do not use a wood rasp which is really, realy rough.

[Ang]

i just cut the ends off flush to the side they will not come un done works well and has no scratchyness

[ScooterandAnnette]

Posted By Scarlet_Rose on 09/08/2008 4:57 PM
Just a caution with the melting of zip-ties *if memory serves me correctly* heating up plastic and melting it can and does release toxins. I use a finer metal file for woodworking rather than a nail file, note that I do not use a wood rasp which is really, realy rough.

Scooter here.  As some may recall, I’m an environmental engineer and hold an endowed chair in environmental toxicology at the University of Winnipeg’s Richardson College for the Environment. It’s true that melting plastics can release toxins.  What particular type depends on the toxin.  On the other hand, it’s very fast, much faster than filing, and filing will make a lot of tiny particles that can be breathed in or swallowed, which may or may not be a problem again depending on the material and also on how big the particles are.

I don’t think melting would cause a huge health problem unless you breathe in the fumes for a prolonged period of time.  Which is unlikely because burning and melting plastic STINKS, as anyone who’s torched plastic cookware on the stove knows!  (Including me.) The latter is not at all uncommon and would expose us to much more plastic fumes than zip-tie melting would, and usually isn’t something that causes serious problems.

I recommend following some common sense either way.   If you melt them shut, do it in a well-ventilated area (e.g., outside, or have a fan blowing) and have the bunnies somewhere else while you’re doing it.  If you file, again keep the bunnies somewhere, wear a dust mask so you don’t wind up breathing in plastic particles, and clean up afterwards, for instance with a wet cloth or paper towel to which any particles will stick.

 

[Binkles]

Ah, thanks for the info, guys! I think I may just take the safe way and file them blunt.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Thank you Scooter! You are my hero!

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