Watched a guy in Memphis fix a fuel leak with a zip tie and it changed my whole attitude about quick fixes

I stopped by a little GA hangar outside Memphis last month to drop off a part for a friend. This old mechanic had a Cessna with a weeping fuel line and instead of ordering the exact clamp he just used a heavy duty zip tie cinched tight. I laughed at first but he showed me how it held perfect pressure for 3 hours on a test run. Now I keep a pack of those big zip ties in my box for temporary holds before the proper part comes in. Anyone else ever see a field fix that made you question why you overthink stuff?

2 comments

2 Comments

derekwalker10d ago

Man, I read somewhere that in a pinch, zip ties can handle like 50 pounds of pull strength or something. Makes you wonder if we all just trust the fancy parts too much.

nathang6710d ago

50 pounds of pull strength" maybe in tension, but zip ties get real weak if you're trying to hold something that vibrates or shifts around... that's where the fancy stuff actually matters.