Remove 18650 wrap for parallel packs

I want to make my packs as compact as possible so Im not using the 18650 holders, Im laying them diagonally rather than square. (Please excuse the quick photoshop )


rather than



So, if I was suuuuuuper careful while assembling the parallelpacks, how terrible would it be to just remove the wrap, keep the plasticringsat the positive terminalsand zip tie the entire pack tight so they all make contact? It would save me the time of wiring busbars for the negative terminals and allow easier access to replace individual cells in the event of a failure.
P.S. I'm lazy if you haven't guessed

I've considered going sleeveless - but haven't done it yet.

1. Evening going sleeveless I still think you'd need to solder/weld the negatives to achieve a good electrical connection.
2. Sleeveless in a battery holder would allow better thermal air cooling.
3. I think it would look cool (more Tesla-ish too)
4. Packing them the way you're thinking is how e-bikes batteries are generally done - so it's a proven format.
5. You would need to be VERY careful.

Good luck!

The big problem is if you remove the plastic insulator at the top. If a wire drops in there it will short pos to negative easily. I'd only recommend doing this route if you have an insulating layer at the top with only small openings for the positive terminal and fuse wire connection.

Leave the protector ring on the top of the cell.
In between the cells, you could use a wide thin sheet of nickel sandwiched between the cells. You would get a larger contact area thereby reducing the resistance caused by not being soldered. Though, it would not be as good as being soldered, still.
The cells would need to be very tightly pressed together. Not sure how you would achieve this

should be better for heat distribution and removal. but you stick them together.. so removal will be the same i guess..
but you should wrap them as whole unit its kinda corrosion weak
and be very very careful with + side of cells don't get