Zip ties

[Taffy Saltwater]

Anyone else having trouble finding strong enough zip ties?  The ones I'm finding now seem to be wimpy, wimpy, wimpy.  I finally broke down and bought spiral/steel bones and I'm muuuuch happier with the results, having tossed the last bodice I made in the trash since the bosom collapsed while wearing it.

[DonaCatalina]

I never used zip ties since they always looked skimpy to me.
I have always used cabling from lumber bundles.
It also helps that the busk on my corset is 1/4" think plexiglass.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

Taffy!

Check your local hardware store or Lowe's and Home Depot in the Industrial Plumbing section. The cable ties we all use come on 34" to 36" lengths bundles of 6.

They work great for boning corsets and bodices. A heck of a lot cheaper than the individual coated metal boning.

[gem]

I had this same thought a couple of summers ago, when I mistakenly bought cable ties that weren't strong enough! They *looked* just like my standard ones, but were much, much more flexible. Luckily, I still had the packaging from an old bunch, and discovered they were a different brand! I use those other ones for mockups now.

I use Malco brand 36" duct ties from Home Depot. For some reason, they're not stocked with the rest of the cable ties, and we always have to ask where they are (and I bring the old package with me, just in case).

For people new to duct-tie-boning, we're talking about the extreme heavy duty zip ties. They're 3/8" thick, and you can see a comparison shot here.

[Taffy Saltwater]

Thanks!  I'll check out out the plumbing section next time.  The ones I've been using were from the electrical department.

[Cilean]

I use Malco brand 36" duct ties from Home Depot. For some reason, they're not stocked with the rest of the cable ties, and we always have to ask where they are (and I bring the old package with me, just in case). For people new to duct-tie-boning, we're talking about the extreme heavy duty zip ties. They're 3/8" thick, and you can see a comparison shot here.

Hey Gem??

My dratted Home Depot does not handle that variety, so I have to send out for it!! We have a different type!! So I picked up that and I glued the dratted things together and then used them in my channels!

Cilean

[gem]

That would work too! I would think you could also forgo the glue and just stack two in a channel.

[isabelladangelo]

I've seen the duct ties (the thick type of zip ties you need) in the duct section of Home Depot, True Value, and at Lowes.  My Dad calls is modern whaleboning. 

[LadyShadow]

I use the duct ties. My hubby and Dad are A/C men, so I get them in fast and free supply  (well free to me)

[Adriana Rose]

Ive used some that I begged my brother in law to bring home from the coal mine. I donno the brand but they are wicked strong

[CaraGreenleaf]

I love using the cable-ties! My only problem is the brand that I use (found at Menard's...the name currently eludes me) used to be packaged flat...Now they're packaged in a loose coil. I can't get the curve out of them!!  Any suggestions??? I've already tried the heavy book and nailing them to the wall for 72 hrs. They still suffered a sturdy curve. I didn't have time to wait anymore and curling them backwards just set the curve going the other direction. I ended up putting them into the channels, curving opposite directions to the ones' next to them, but I'd rather not have to do that....Any ideas, ladies??

[Becky10]

I love using the cable-ties! My only problem is the brand that I use (found at Menard's...the name currently eludes me) used to be packaged flat...Now they're packaged in a loose coil. I can't get the curve out of them!!  Any suggestions??? I've already tried the heavy book and nailing them to the wall for 72 hrs. They still suffered a sturdy curve. I didn't have time to wait anymore and curling them backwards just set the curve going the other direction. I ended up putting them into the channels, curving opposite directions to the ones' next to them, but I'd rather not have to do that....Any ideas, ladies??

Have you tried using a hair straightener on them? Sounds odd but I had been having the same problem with some of my crafting supplies (plastic and wire bundles) and ran one over them and it seemed to fix it up pretty well. I would definitely use it on one you're not too fond of though  .

[Adriana Rose]

If you have a laptop strech them out under it and let them sit with it on for a while. If it gets warm under there the heat will make it hold the flatness

[gem]

Now that they're in the bodice, you can iron them! Regular featherweight boning straightens up nicely when ironed, so I'd think it would at least help the heavy-duty stuff. Obviously you don't want to put the iron directly on them.

[CaraGreenleaf]

Great suggestions, ladies...I'll have to try the laptop trick, Adriana, as my laptop gets quite warm!!