What Was Used Before Nylon Wire Ties

V

villlage idiot

Junior Member
I picked up a few slightly used or possibly NOS 40's Ford wire harnesses. They are all made up of cloth covered wire most of the main pieces held together with friction/electrical tape. As I was laying one of them out I was thinking that nylon wire ties aren't going to look right to separate the smaller sections and keep them looking neat. I know that at some point bees wax covered cord was wound around terminals to hold them in place. But what did the factory use instead of nylon wire ties?
 
In 51 they used a thin brass strap with a slot on one end to form the loop, sort of like a tie rap. only three under the dash and several along the gas line for the backup light wire. don't know what year these type started.
 
Gastrick
That looks a lot like what my MOM :D:D was trying to show me how to tie up a chicken after stuffing it for supper. :):):)
 
Lacing cable with beeswax coated cord has been an aviation tradition since the first electical wires were put into aircraft. It is the same lacing cord that was used to hold the fabric on the wings where the prop wash would try to wrinkle it up and is known as wing lacing cord. A later product that came about in the 40s was Coroseal lacing. It is made from a long extrusion of o-ring type rubber and was used to separate fluid lines and electrical harnesses to prevent chafing.

Other than electrical tape, Ford used the brass and then aluminum tye strips for quite a while for holding ID tags on AC systems and for a few other purposes in the 50s & 60s but then went to plastic stand off loops exclusively later on just like everyone else. Aviation uses the plastic tye straps for most wiring and fluid/pneumatic line security in places where an Adel clamp won't work or are not practical for weight savings. Some still use lacing cord but it takes longer to work with when repairing systems and can be a bear to apply in tight quarters. Instructions for use are in the AC43.13-1B chapter 11.

Kerby

PS: Lacing cord is available from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty Co.
 
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The Bell System - you remember the Bell Telephone System - referred to the waxed cord as "lacing twine" and used it in the same fashion as the aircraft industry. You might try finding a source for old telephone equipment or repair parts. It was really common at one time. Any friends with connections to some of the older telephone companies?
 
in the Navy we used sailmakers twine, it was wax covered and worked real good, still have a supply of it in my tool box after 38 years!!
 
That telephone co. "lacing twine" was used in the central office or switching office as some called it to lash small cables and jumper wires. I bet it is still used today in some areas. it was also wax treated and very strong. I am a old retired telephone man (among other things)
 
Henry/Kokomo said:
The Bell System - you remember the Bell Telephone System - referred to the waxed cord as "lacing twine" and used it in the same fashion as the aircraft industry. You might try finding a source for old telephone equipment or repair parts. It was really common at one time. Any friends with connections to some of the older telephone companies?
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Yep, my dad was a 35+ Bell System man, plus did two tours in Viet Nam in the Navy. Currently, he is a frustrated private pilot who would liek nothing more than to be an aviation tech.

The guy can wax cord tie with the best of them.
 
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