How to Open Cable Ties

Cable ties are one-use items, right? Once you have closed it, there is no opening it again, unless you cut through it. But what if you don't want to do that? Well, there is a way to open a cable tie without cutting or damaging it - and then you can reuse it! Read on! You'll need a strong sewing needle.

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Steps

    1
    Pick up the cable tie and look into the little white box. You will see a plastic tongue inside there that hooks into the rack and prevents it from pulling loose.

    2
    Take the needle and stick it in between the tongue and the rack. This separates the tongue from the rack.

    3
    Pull the end of the cable tie back with your one hand whilst keeping the needle in place with your other. In other words, you're widening the loop while overriding the cable tie's closing system at the same time.

    4
    Pull the end completely out of the little white box and pull the needle out as well. Now, don't get it accidentally stuck in there again!


Tips

    If you often want to reuse cable ties, buy "releasable" or "reusable" ones. These have a tab to release the ratchet. They should not cost significantly more than regular ones.
    ALTERNATIVE TO A NEEDLE: a sharp pencil, a tooth pick, a safety pin, a paper clip (open it up), pointy scissors, a pointy knife, an ice pick, a screwdriver, etc.

 Warnings

    The ratchet weakens with flexing so reused cable ties will not hold as firmly.
    Cable ties, like boa constrictors, are potentially dangerous. Keep them away from children and use the shortest, weakest ones that will do the job: pretty much any will do for simply bundling cables.
    Needles are sharp and potentially dangerous to hands and eyes. Handle needles with care. Always wear eye protection.

Things You'll Need

    Closed cable tie
    Needle