Shoutout to the old timer who showed me the zip tie trick for control cable rigging on a Cessna 172

I was struggling for like an hour trying to get the tension right on an elevator cable last Tuesday. Had the turnbuckle all over the place and kept messing up my measurements. This guy who's been doing this since the 80s walked over, grabbed a couple zip ties, and clamped them onto the cable right where I needed to mark the reference point. Made it so much easier to hold everything steady while I adjusted the turnbuckle. I had been using a sharpie and it always smudged or got covered in grease. Has anyone else found a dumb simple trick like that that just works?

3 comments

3 Comments

finleyl3911d ago

I could've used that, I'm still finding zip ties in my toolbox from 2019.

foster.jordan11d ago

Buddy of mine had the same issue on a Piper. Old mechanic just handed him a cut piece of tape. Worked like a charm. Simple stuff nobody thinks about.

calebc4011d ago

Did you tape it in a spiral or just a straight strip down the side? I've done both and the spiral holds way better on the rough spots. A little heat from a hair dryer helps it stick too if you're working in cold weather.