Looking for zip tie substitutes

[SkinnyPiggys]

Can anyone recommend something that I can use instead of zip ties/connectors? I'm looking for something user friendly like the zip ties, but more heavy duty. Preferably something made out of metal.

Thanks!

[GadgetGirl]

You could try large metal washers with nuts and bolts. Put the washer on the outside, put the bolt through the washer and then screw the nut on the bolt. I don't know how well that would work, but that's just a thought. Plus, this wouldn't work on the corners.

Is it that you can't find the zip ties or you just want a substitute? I found zip ties at Home Depot. The zip ties do work pretty well. I just assembled a 2x5 outer grid with connectors and zip ties and stood it up on it's side. It's holding up pretty well. I hope this helps.

GadgetGirl the piggie lover

[fairysari]

You can get zip ties made out of velcro. I don't know if they would be more heavy duty, but they are definitley more expensive!

[smartorl]

They do make and sell the metal clamps originally used for making rabbit cages. I think they are called J-clamps. They are sold with a tool that applies them. You load the metal clamp (which is just a little piece of metal) into the tool, place it where you want to connect and squeeze. The tool wraps the metal around the junction in a very tight seal. They are hard to used if you want to change cage design. I would also spend the extra $3 and get the more durable tool because after ten or so the cheap tool hurts your hands!

Here is a link to Bass' website showing the clamps and the tools:
Cage Assembly Tools - Bass Equipment Website

[C&K]

What about just getting a medium gage wire and wrapping it around the connections? Sharp edges should be taken care of if you just keep wrapping it around...

[cavyinhawaii]

I do this too.

Originally Posted by C&K

What about just getting a medium gage wire and wrapping it around the connections? Sharp edges should be taken care of if you just keep wrapping it around...

[PiggieMom]

I don't know about anyone else. But I can buy some pretty heavy duty zip ties at Target. They're really thick.

[fourbwabbys]

They come in different thicknessess. Some are huge.

[Susan9608]

I used zip ties for about a day on my old chinchilla cage - they didn't last long. After that, I used garbage bag twist ties.

[SkinnyPiggys]

That's exactly what I am building! I know that plastic zip ties will never last but I'm going to try the J-clamps suggested by smartorl.

Did you use the wire mesh grids for your chin cage?

Thanks for the info everyone!

Originally Posted by Susan9608

I used zip ties for about a day on my old chinchilla cage - they didn't last long. After that, I used garbage bag twist ties.

[Susan9608]

Actually, I decided that the C&C cages wouldn't work too well for my chins. So I built one out of melamine and wire mesh. Here's a picture:

[jdomans]

You can go get a roll of heavy duty picture hanging wire. That is what I use on my chin's cage.

I used it when I enlarged his cage and I used it to hang up his ball at the top of his cage to use as a hidey house.

[SkinnyPiggys]

Awesome cages! Thanks for the great ideas!