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I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

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I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

Postby Cabinetman » 02 Jul 2021, 13:43

The easy way to use a ratchet strap.
It took me quite a while to find this out after struggling for years, and I was amazed the other day when a guy came to collect a car on his dollie that he didn’t know it either, and he was using ratchet straps all day every day.
Rather than putting the end through when the strap ratchet is open like this.
CE607E40-F450-468D-AD49-4B5B4EBC4A00.jpeg
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Close the mechanism up and then slot it through then you can pull on the short end to tighten it up prior to using the ratchet, this also makes it easier to undo as there isn’t so much strap wound onto on the drum. Ian
C5E43585-A181-46A4-81BB-EE3F35A4B343.jpeg
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Re: I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

Postby 9fingers » 02 Jul 2021, 13:58

Thanks for that Ian,
I rarely use the strap but have had the problem of too much on the reel before now.

All I have to do is remember your tip next time I need to use a strap!

Cheers
Bob
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Re: I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

Postby novocaine » 02 Jul 2021, 14:03

Yes, a very useful tip that I've never really thought about, it was just how you do it. I can see why it might not be obvious though.

the other one people don't seem to know is that with all these small size straps, if you fold it back beyond 180 with the sprung gate to the left of your photo pulled back as you do it, it releases both gates by lifting a cam and you can freely pull the strap off the reel.
Carbon fibre is just corduroy for cars.
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Re: I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

Postby Woodbloke » 02 Jul 2021, 15:43

A very handy tip Ian, many thanks. I don’t use them very often but it’s well worth remembering as I find they can be ‘difficult’ to sort out once the pressure’s released.

Mods - can this be made into a bookmark/short cut for later ref? - Rob
I no longer work for Axminster Tools & Machinery.
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Re: I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

Postby Cabinetman » 02 Jul 2021, 16:13

Well I thought I had been the only one! It’s one of those stupid things that’s blindingly b... obvious when it’s shown to you, and as Novocaine said you open the block all the way to release the strap and that’s how they tend to stay for when you tie something up next time, so that’s usually how we start going wrong.
The other thing with doing it the "wrong" way it’s possible when you use the ratchet to pull strapping in from both sides and you end up with a whole heap on the drum in the centre which can make undoing it a pain. Ian
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Re: I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

Postby 9fingers » 02 Jul 2021, 16:18

Woodbloke wrote:A very handy tip Ian, many thanks. I don’t use them very often but it’s well worth remembering as I find they can be ‘difficult’ to sort out once the pressure’s released.

Mods - can this be made into a bookmark/short cut for later ref? - Rob

Rob. It is already in the tips n tutorial board so easier to find

Bob
Information on induction motors here
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dBTVXx ... sp=sharing
Email:motors@minchin.org.uk
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Re: I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

Postby Robert » 02 Jul 2021, 16:21

I've been using these small ratchet straps for years and never thought to start off with the ratchet closed.

I also didn't know about the open wide for double release thing either!

Thanks both :)
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Re: I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

Postby Trevanion » 02 Jul 2021, 16:42

Ah, something I do actually know! :D

That does come from experience with ratchet strapping though in vans and on trailers, someone who doesn’t do it very often is going to find it confusing each time they pick one up.
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Re: I’m sure most on here will know this tip.

Postby novocaine » 02 Jul 2021, 17:23

While we are on the topic of tiedowns. Heres something for everyone to practice, for those times when a ratchet strap isnt available.

How-to-Tie-a-Truckers-Hitch.jpg
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Carbon fibre is just corduroy for cars.
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