VELCRO Brand ONE-WRAP Cable Ties, 100Pk

My main objection to this product is the deceptive descriptive name "Velcro". Everybody knows what Velcro is. This may be a terrific product, but it is NOT "traditional" Velcro. Perhaps it could be called "Velcro-Light". As well established for half-a-century in the English language "Velcro" MEANS "infinitely reusable" and durable. But, as the name of this product states, these ties are merely "reusable" a few times. Velcro-light is a step above "disposable", but not a high step. But, for the price the ties would be worthwhile even if only sold as one-time-use disposable ties. Reusablity is a bonus. DESCRIPTION The ties seem to be a plasticized-paper-like material with microscopic Velcro-like hooks on one side, loops on the other; 1/2" x 8" overall (buckle area 3/4" wide); black; paper-thin (or at least "card-stock" thin). A GREAT IMPROVEMENT? > Real 8" Velcro cable ties were very bulky to the point that I (and probably many users) cut them in half (i.e., to 4" long or shorter) to minimize the bulk. The Velcro-Light-ties are paper-thin and take up no more space than say adhesive tape, making for much neater installations. Since Velcro-Light ties are cheap and unlikely to be reused, there is no reason not to cut them to the best length for even neater installations. With scissors and a single-hole punch, you can even convert the "cut-offs" into 1/4" wide buckle-ties. > The bulk of real Velcro makes installation of the "buckle" on thin wires difficult and generally unsatisfactory---the thinner Velcro-light ties install better on thin wires. > Real Velcro 8" ties are prohibitively expensive for "probably one-time uses". Cheap velcro-light ties are ideal for "probably one-time uses". > The "loop" side of Velcro-Light is soft but is not the plush velvet for which Real Velcro is named. The "hook" side of Real Velcro is very unpleasant against your skin---so, you have to be very careful with real Velcro closures (on clothing, gloves, shoes, etc) which may come in contact with your skin. The "hook" side of Real Velcro grabs knit and plush fabrics, often badly damaging them. The "hook" side of Velcro-Light is also unpleasant against the skin, and will also grab many fabrics, but as a first impression, it is probably less damaging---but that is a moot point since pseudo-velco is not durable enough to be used on clothing. For some odd reason the hook side of real Velcro badly pulls and abrades the canvas-like nylon fabric of equipment bags and cases, including the webbing (straps) damaging the fabric---but my quick tests with Velcro-Light is that it doesn't grab this kind of material. Again a moot point because Velcro-Light is not sufficiently durable for use with sports equipment, etc. SUITABLE FOR > Velcro-Light-ties are great for "limited reusable, probably one-time uses" such as organizing up the mess behind your entertainment center > Velcro-Light-ties are probably the best solution available for organizing cables and cords for storage. I've found that both blue painters tape and rubber bands will deteriorate after a few years (probably from the fumes from all the plastic cords in my "electronics drawers"), and leave a gunky mess on the cords. Prior to Velcro-Light-ties the best solution I had found was actually zip-lock freezer bags. > I look forward to trying Velcro-Light-ties out as plant ties, for tying up tomatoes, orchid blossoms, etc. If they can stand up to weather, they should be great---but green would be a much better color for that use. Velco sells a continuous green "cheap velcro" tape for the purpose 1/2x30 Plant Tie Velcro but the tape doesn't have "buckles" and so the ties don't stay in place well. These individual cable ties should work better. > Velcro-Light-ties make great "battery leashes". For hard-to-remove AA and larger batteries, just install a tie on the bottom battery, and install the other batteries around it, leaving the free end of the tie on top. To remove the batteries, just pull. SUGGESTIONS ON USE > Pay attention to the instructions: First attach the tie to one cord by passing the smaller end of the tie through the buckle slot (you have to remove a small piece of loose material from the buckle slot), and tighten. Then bundle the cord and wrap the strip around it. It is usually most convenient to place the buckle on the end of your cord, usually near the device (e.g., charger brick) the cord is used for. > The distinction between the "velvet" side and the "hook" side is obvious for real Velcro, but not obvious for Velcro-light ties---so you have to pay more attention. When you install the Velcro-light ties, be sure the hook (shinier, rougher) side is on the inside. This generally works better, and protects any knit fabric from being damaged by the "hook" side. > Real Velcro is so thick that you'd never think of gluing it to anything, and most glue probably wouldn't hold well. However, the thin Velcro-light would probably be easy to glue to surfaces. I would use Elmer's White Glue for porous surfaces, and Beacon Fabric Glue or Household Goop for non-porous surfaces. Beacon Adhesives Company Inc MG4D "Multi-grip" Glue 4 Oz. or Amazing Goop All-Purpose Household Goop, 3.7-Ounce Tube #130012. I have not tried using double-sided tape to attach a Velcro-light tie to a surface, but there is a good chance that it would work. A CHEAP SUBSTITUTE? These Velcro-light-ties are cheaper and less durable than real Velcro cable ties. But the question is HOW strong and durable do repositionable cable ties need to be? These Velcro-Light-ties are certainly strong and durable enough for use as "probably one-time use but nominally reclosable" cable ties. The Velcro-Light-ties would not survive a single cycle in a washing machine/dryer. They would not stand up to dust and dirt, frequent opening and closing, or much stress. UNSUITABLE FOR: dirty or dust environments; frequent opening/closing; substantial stress; clothing which may get dirty and be washed. > I use real Velcro cable ties on all my power tool cords---the Velcro-Light ties simply not sufficiently strong and durable. > I hang rolls of wire, tubing, weed-whacker string, light rope, etc. in my shop from Velcro straps---the Velcro-Light-ties are not strong enough > I use real Velcro cable ties to organize wires, hoses, and cables in my car engine--the Velcro-Light ties are totally inadequate for such use. > I use real Velcro cable ties to strap sports equipment together, or to a duffle-bag, etc.---the Velcro-Light ties are totally inadequate for such use. > I've used real Velcro cable ties to repair Velcro closures on sports shoes---the Velcro-light ties are totally inadequate for such use. > I use real colored Velcro cable ties for color coding---the black-only Velcro-Light ties are unusable for this purpose. The Velcro-Light-ties are thin enough that if they were any color than black, you could write on them with a "Sharpie"---which would make them much more useful. But they are black, and not helpful for labeling. CONCLUSION Velcro-Light-ties are good inexpensive nominally-reusable cable ties. They are not usable for many purposes real Velcro cable ties are used for, but have unique uses.