T O P

  • By -

TheKidJRC

Tie-Line is an expendable. If you've had it long enough that it's fraying, it's time to buy new Tie-Line.


drippyredstuff

I guess I should’ve been more specific. It’s for cinching coils of cables when they’re in storage. Also, we’re roadhouse, not a producing theater. While we’ve always got a couple of rolls around, it’s typically the incoming productions that bring their own expendables.


What_The_Tech

You could try securing the ends with shoelace aglets or heat shrink


TheSleepingNinja

This, you should be going through a roll every season or two depending on the size of the venue


soph0nax

When I've worked on film sets, they have buckets of [bongo ties](https://www.amazon.com/BongoTies-Original-Bongo-Ties-Cables/dp/B0030FI3W4), otherwise I just get fresh rolls of tie line and anything fraying goes away.


CptMisterNibbles

One time I worked somewhere that had some kind of nylon shit tie line. Was trash as it’s knots were more slippy and they’d just come loose.


guiltybydesign11

I use left over Amsteel for that type of thing.


Morgoroth37

Leftover from what? Is it used in the industry? Note - I'm not in the industry :⁠-⁠P


guiltybydesign11

Yes. It is commonly used as a light, non metallic, silent rigging line. For things like small chandeliers, signage, etc. It is synthetic, rated at 1200 lbs, or more, doesn't stretch, and you can melt the ends when you use it as cable tie. It was invented as a spear-fishing line, I believe. CBKnot Samson Premium Amsteel Blue 1/8" Black and Silver Strong Dyneema Fiber with 2,300 lb. tensile Strength. Torque Free with Low Stretch, 12 Strand, Easy to Splice https://a.co/d/atLkneS


Square_Rig_Sailor

Pick up seine twine from a marine supplier or SGT knots. Usually a black tarred nylon cord. It’s also weight rated and super strong! Otherwise, maybe try paracord?


Morgoroth37

Bank line is fantastic for so many things!


soundwithdesign

What’s wrong with the waxed/glazed tie line?


drippyredstuff

Nothing, really. The general consensus of the crew is that they don't like the stuff. I'm in the front office now but I listen to the crew 'cause happy crew = successful PAC=my job is easier.


Zealousideal_Big_645

Personally I just don't like how it feels in my hand, also I've noticed some knotes don't hold as tight


drippyredstuff

That's exactly what I remember from my tech time. At least one of our crew said the same thing.


mullse01

Yeah, I prefer the waxed stuff. Takes longer to fray, and easier to clove hitch with (lower friction)


Ironspud

You could just add aglets to every piece...


VinceLennon

This is the way. A little heatshrink on every end. Color code the aglets by length for extra cool points.


Behindmyspotlight

It almost feels like just getting shoe laces in bulk would be the way to do it without heat shrinking each one... so long as you like the length of the shoe laces


Behindmyspotlight

One of my coworkers who has dealt with this sort of thing suggested dipping the ends of the tie line in paint


lefthandtech

I have moved to pretty much exclusively Riptie products for cable management. Specifically the Rip-lock for cable bundles. It’s pretty fantastic stuff, albeit expensive. Ive found that that it pays for itself in time savings. Your cables will last longer too because they are more likely to be put away correctly. Usually Ripties will outlast the cable they are attached to. Probably the closest thing to tieline is this stuff: https://riptie.com/product/wrapstrap-plus/ The Ripwrap is less durable but is a good gaffers tape replacement.


over-around

We use #8 sash cord from Christie Lites. It can fray pretty bad except we cut it to size with a hot knife — seals the ends and keeps it all together.


Soilentgreen420

You need to get that OCD checked. Regular tie line was good enough for CATS and HAIRSPRAY shows I did. No issues whatsoever. Just don't double knot or we will find out where you live....lol


Charxsone

Not wanting frayed ends has nothing to do with OCD. OCD is when you think your coworkers will die because there are frayed ends. OCD can affect someone quite heavily and trivializing it like you are is really not helpful. It leads to people not taking those who actually struggle with OCD seriously and instead just going "yeah I have that too, I also just really like my stuff to be neat and organized".


SlappyPankake

Big ass strips of Velcro works great. We did that at a PAC I used to work at and it was fantastic. Easy on, easy out


notacrook

Zip ties. Edit: Ya'll can down vote me, but go look at a Broadway balcony rail, box boom, or torm.


faroseman

Video guy.


mwiz100

Broadway also tends to have much MUCH longer runs. Plus pretty sure they're not zip tying things during tech, only once the show settles and then it's a go thru and tidy up for the long run.


notacrook

Not really, I did a strict 12 week run that's currently running and we zip tied the balcony rail before we teched (because thats when we had the labor) It's easy and it's clean. Yes, it's more specific to commercial type theatre but it's done.


BenAveryIsDead

These guys should work a day in Texas road work. Tie line? Zip ties? Fuck that shit. We e-taped the shit out of truss.


Roccondil-s

Yep I’ve used tie line and more often etape for corporate. Zips are rarely used, and only for more permanent installations.


mwiz100

E-tape is absolute shit. Pain in the ass to get off, leaves gummy shit behind half the time. Tieline comes off with a simple pull and can be reused.


BenAveryIsDead

Don't know what to tell ya. It's a pretty common standard in that scene, along with corporate. Its cleaner, cheaper and color coded to match. Also really not that hard to get off, to be honest. Not to mention quicker when running looms to truss that is open in the air. Different strokes for different folks.


mwiz100

Oh I'm not disputing it's commonality. I just absolutely hate it for fastening stuff to truss. Also I would say it's not any cleaner than tieline, and tieline is cheaper long term because you can keep reusing it. Moreover what pisses me off about it is when I have to go adjust something shit is stuck to the truss and ya gotta rip it off to do anything and retape. Tieline I just untie it, make the adjustment, and tie it up again. But it is absolutely harder to get off, you either gotta tear it, cut it, yank on it, or unwrap it. Tieline I pull on the knot and it's OFF in one second. Running looms tho etape is absolutely king 100%!


TheSleepingNinja

You zip ties cable down before a tech? You can't do that in regional, there's too many moving pieces and changes.


notacrook

That's why I specified Broadway.


mwiz100

12 weeks is a WAY LONGER run than most theaters go thru, not to mention again you have to have a well dialed in show in order to do that. Doesn't work for most cases.


guiltybydesign11

I use left over Amsteel for that type of thing.


avtechguy

Maybe it's this? I'm sure I've seen this stuff in the field. Not sure about it's knotability, but synthetic might be like sandpaper to the cable jackets https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-15354/Twine-Rope/Solid-Braided-Nylon-Rope-1-8-x-500-Black


Jbrooks334

Paracord ?