TechLace™ Lacing tape is an inexpensive method of wire dressing. It is used extensively throughout the aerospace, electronics, medical and many more smaller specialist manufacturing industries. In use, lacing tape does not create sharp obstructions along the length of the cable, avoiding the handling and safety problems of cables groomed by plastic cable ties, and the resulting harness is much easier to manage and maintain than if other management solutions, such as convoluted tubing, were used.

There are two common techniques for grooming wire harnesses with lacing tape. The first is a single knot technique, where individual short lengths of lacing tape are tied and knotted along the length of the harness. The other is a Marline Hitch, where long, continuous lengths of tape are used with running lock stitches along the length of the wire bundle. Either one is generally acceptable, and both will result in a properly dressed harness.

The preferred knot for this technique is a locked clove hitch. It’s easy to tie, snugs down tight, and doesn’t dig into the insulation. Depending on the diameter of your bundle, start with an 8 – 12″ piece of lacing tape.

Step 1: Wrap the lacing tape around the bundle so that both ends are on the same side and the loop is loose enough to work with.

Step 2: Slip the ends under the loose loop in opposite direction.

Step 3: Snug up the knot, making sure that ends are captured under the loop. Tie off the two ends with a square knot and pull it tight.

Step 4: Trim the end, and you’re done. Some people will put a drop of glue on the knots for extra security, but this is completely optional.