The Davpack guide to strapping and securing
If you’re an old hand in the world of strapping and strapping tools, you’ll already be aware of what you need for your business. All you’ll want to know extra is that we have one of the widest selections available online in the UK and that we sell them at prices you’ll find hard to beat elsewhere. The fact that all our strapping is available for despatch the same day you order it, and that we have what we think is the best customer service team in the business to look after you, is just the icing on the cake.
If, on the other hand, you’re in the market for strapping for the first time, you might want to know a bit more – like whether you want polypropylene, steel or polyester strapping. And which tools you’ll need, and whether you should be using seals or buckles. Davpack has over 40 years’ experience and knowledge of the packaging business, so let us guide you through the wonderful world of strapping...
Take the strain
Strapping is used for securing all manner of items, from pallet loads of cardboard boxes to bundles of tubing. How heavy your load or products are will help determine which type of strapping you are most likely to need, although it is by no means the only deciding factor. Each type of strapping has a ‘break strain’, which indicates how heavy a load it is safe to use with.
Polypropylene strapping is the most economical variety and the best to use with lighter loads. Our plastic strap comes in a range of sizes with break strains varying from 60kg to 350kg. You can even have your strapping custom printed with your company name or special handling advice.
Traditionally used for heavy duty applications, steel strapping has a much higher break strain – our thickest option is safe up to 2040kg! – and should always be used when loads have sharp edges or will be subject to high temperatures. It is also less likely to stretch than the plastic strapping. When loads are likely to be subject to all weathers for long periods, stainless steel strapping will prevent marking from rust.
The ‘new kid on the block’ is polyester strapping which is now replacing steel strap in many heavy duty applications. Among its many advantages, it is safer to use (no sharp edges or whiplash hazard), it is softer and less likely to damage goods and it is extremely light and easy to handle. It also retains its tension well and is much cheaper than steel!
Choose your weapons
Just wrapping your strapping around a load isn’t going to be enough. Unless you’re dealing with very light and easily-handled loads or parcels, you’ll need something to tighten the strap, something to cut it with and something to seal it with. Depending on your own requirements, you can get different strapping tools for each job, or combination tools which are capable of handling all three tasks. We have one of the best selections of steel, polyester and polypropylene strapping tools around, so we’re sure to have the one which is right for you!
The last stop on this brief journey is seals or buckles, designed to hold the strapping securely in place. Seals are very quick to apply, while buckles take longer but have the advantages of being reusable and allowing the strapping to be retensioned if required.
To make things a bit easier for you, we’ve put together some handy strapping kits which will help you get started. Just identify which type of strapping you need, make sure you get one with a break strain that will be capable of safely securing your load, and everything else should be there to do the job for you!
For more advice, why not give our friendly and knowledgeable Sales team a call today on 01332 821200?