I just picked up a few 27' ratcheting tie downs for my trailer. I really only need 8' or so, is it ok to cut these things to length without damaging them? I was planning to wrap with tape, cut, then flame the edge to seal it up. Any suggestions or warnings? Thanks!
Cutting polyester webbing straps?
- Thread starter Mandres
- Start date
Ehcrain
Well-known member
I see no issues but personally I would leave them looking just in case you need them longer than expected. I would heat up a knife and use that to make the cut so it's sealed immediately.
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619DioFan
Well-known member
I have done it many times. use a lot of straps at work to secure crates to flatbeds. eventually the webbing will wear and the strap has to be removed from service. will cut the strap slightly past the worn spot and have a custom length one for smaller crates.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Sounds good to me.
Marctrees
Well-known member
" I was planning to wrap with tape, cut, then flame the edge to seal it up."
Sorry, but totally disagree.
Do in one hot stroke.. cut and sealed.
Simply heat any edge item... a sharpened old butter knife is good cause blade has some mass to stay retain more heat energy.. but any knife.. heat w propane torch and make a slow slicing motion melting cut.
Do a few practice runs on scrap.. you'll be making factory looking cuts in a few minutes.
Don't directly breathe the fumes !!
Marc
Sorry, but totally disagree.
Do in one hot stroke.. cut and sealed.
Simply heat any edge item... a sharpened old butter knife is good cause blade has some mass to stay retain more heat energy.. but any knife.. heat w propane torch and make a slow slicing motion melting cut.
Do a few practice runs on scrap.. you'll be making factory looking cuts in a few minutes.
Don't directly breathe the fumes !!
Marc
rlitman
Well-known member
A butter knife is fine, since it doesn't need to be sharp. Thicker is better. Long ago, I ground an "edge" (basically just knocked off the corners) onto a 6" long piece of 1/8"x1" steel stock. I'll grab that in vise grips and heat it with a torch.
Cutting with a hot knife gives a cleaner edge than cutting it and then flaming it. Though I'll still use the cold cut method when I'm lazy and don't care how it looks.
LS6 Tommy
Well-known member
X 2 on a hot cutting tool. Anything with an edge will work, it doesn't really have to be "sharp", but a real purpose made hot knife is a joy to use for ropes, cords, webbing, etc. Look at it this way, it's a legitimate reason to get a new tool.
Tommy
Tommy
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Polyester stretches a L O N G way so be careful how you cinch things down !
Bretny
Well-known member
I cut two 2in rstchet straps about 10 years ago. I just cut them with a sharp razor and used a lighter to seal the edges. Its been 10yrs with no touch up burning and thousands of miles on the road.
No need to over think this. Its a ratchet strap.
No need to over think this. Its a ratchet strap.
Some online places have straps in different lengths and different snap hooks. I have bought replacement straps from Snappin Turtle.
Note that they have both 5K and 10K lb. rated straps. The "working load limit" is 1/3 of the rating so a 10K strap will handle 3330 lbs and a 5K will handle 1667 lbs. Get the 10K versions!
Note that they have both 5K and 10K lb. rated straps. The "working load limit" is 1/3 of the rating so a 10K strap will handle 3330 lbs and a 5K will handle 1667 lbs. Get the 10K versions!
Skyking1992
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2006
- Messages
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Another suggestion for a place to buy straps and tie downs is Mac's Tie Downs. They will make a custom set for you. I have a set from them. Hooks are twisted the way I need, strap is the exact length I need, and the hook on the long end is designed to go in the frame of my Corvette. Good people to deal with.