Cutting Straps?

Tim in New York · Nov 15, 2020

I got some 27' straps on sale and grabbed them, even though I only needed like 8' to tie down my Kubota to my trailer. Am getting tired of wrapping and tieing off the excess all the time. If I want to cut them down, how do I keep the raw end from fraying? Can I melt it with a soldering or heat gun? Do I even need to worry about this?

And I figure if I do cut them short, then I will immediately have a need for long ones! Maybe will only cut two of them.

Thanks,

Tim

Scott 730 · Nov 15, 2020

I have heated a putty knife or piece of sheet metal with a torch and use it to burn through the strap.

J Hamilton · Nov 15, 2020

I take a small propane torch or cigarette lighter and burn the cut end to melt it so it doesn't fray apart

michford · Nov 15, 2020

If you use the same straps repeatedly, you may be able to bundle them up neatly and you can keep the length for if you do need them longer. I found some inexpensive elastic retainers at Menards I use to bundle the excess strap, and just left them on the straps when I hauled my tractor last year.

Tim in New York · Nov 16, 2020

Thanks for the ideas!
Tim

john in la · Nov 16, 2020

Before you cut it.
How is the WLL of the strap marked.
Most have it printed on the strap.
If you cut this printing off you just de-rated your straps to 1000 lbs per inch as far as the DOT is concerned.

Determined · Nov 16, 2020

Had the same dilemma with a pair of straps on the back of my boat, so I cut them down, end fraying has not been an issue.

The problem I had was with the end of the strap slipping out of the ratchet when released and removed from the trailer.

Fold the end over itself and put a bolt or rivet in it so it can not slide out of the slot.

Saved the cut off pieces (bright yellow) and nailed them to the sides of our loading chute, makes a great reference point when backing in a trailer.

DoubleO7 · Nov 16, 2020

Some soldering guns have a threaded end for various tips.
One like an exacto knife can be used as a hot knife.
Seals off the ends as it cuts the strap.

SkipperII · Nov 16, 2020

I go along with michford. I can always take up the slack in a long strap, but I can't stretch a short one, when I need length.

ztrmowers · Nov 19, 2020

i cut eight of them more than eight years ago, no issues and way better to work with ,simply cut with razor knife burned ends with lighter. simple as that . as far as dot issues been stopped but never had any issues in regard straps. forgot put new plates on trailer

DoubleO7 · Nov 19, 2020

Velcro cable tie wraps also work good to bundle up the access.
Reusable and last longer then elastic which over time starts breaking down.
They are not like a rubber band either where some things you just can't get the round band to do it.

BarnyardEngineering · Nov 19, 2020

I wrap the bundled up excess with plain old electrical tape.

When I cut a strap, I use a cigarette lighter to melt the edge to prevent fraying.

Cutting Straps?

Tim in New York

Member

Scott 730

Well-known Member

J Hamilton

Well-known Member

michford

Member

Tim in New York

Member

john in la

Well-known Member

Determined

Well-known Member

DoubleO7

Well-known Member

SkipperII

Well-known Member

ztrmowers

Member

DoubleO7

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

Similar threads