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Clamp it with BAND-IT

fastening forums | Posted: 12/8/2021

BAND-IT clamps have been used in a variety of applications, from giant clamps on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge (the suspension bridge that connects Staten Island and Brooklyn) to tiny clamps on the Mars Rover Curiosity. Whenever you need a strong and supportive clamp, these are the trusted ones to turn to.

Importance of Clamps

Couldn’t you just use a rope or plastic zip-ties to bundle something together? Well, for some applications, like bundling small electrical cables, you could but what if you were driving over the Verrazano-Narrows bridge and saw that it was held together with plastic! The tensile strength of the strongest zip-tie is only 250 pounds, where the BAND-IT ties boast an impressive 400 pounds of tensile strength. So, you know that when you’re using a BAND-IT clamp, your hold is secure and safe.

Pipe and hose fittings aren’t the only things these clamps are good for. They can be used for cable bundling, protective sleeving, and labeling. Several different industries including construction, manufacturing, food and beverage processing, automotive, aerospace, marine, municipal government, and the military all rely on BAND-IT’s clamps for their quality, durability, and diverse fastening capabilities.

Different Styles of Clamps

Ultra-Lok® Clamps
Ultra-Lok® Clamps

The BAND-IT systems are made using 201 stainless steel, which offers good resistance to oxidation (or rust) and many types of corrosion. With these bands, you’ll be clamping and fastening with great strength and a quality appearance. Ranging from ½” to ¾” in width, these medium-width bands are imprinted right on the surface to eliminate measuring and waste by allowing you to quickly and precisely roll out the length of the band needed for any clamp! No more guesswork!

The Ultra-lok bands and electric tools are fast, powerful, and easy to use. These come in two designs, the pre-formed version, and the free-end clamp. Both versions include the smooth inside diameter and come in ½” and ¾” widths. The internal diameter ranges from 1-1/2” and 9” (anything with a smaller ID should be a ½” width clamp). Making a clamp from the free-end roll is easy, simply pull the band out until you see the seam of the next clamp and bend it at the seam until it breaks. Now that the clamp is broken off, you want to attach the buckle to the clamp. You can do this by sliding the buckle on with the indicator arrows facing the same direction and with the same side up. Slide the buckle down the band until it stops between the two dimples at the end of the free-end clamp.

How to Create a Completed Buckle?

  1. First, we need a buckle. These clips, or “ear” style buckles, slide right over the tail of the band, so you can use it to create a complete loop, leaving only an inch or so of the band on the internal diameter of the clamp and a longer tail on the outside diameter.
  2. Slide the buckle onto the band and bring the end of the band around the object you want to be clamped, then bring the tail of the band through the buckle again.
  3. Continue the band around once more and again through the buckle, creating a double-layered band. Double banding provides more compression and more tension than a single band which is why it’s the recommended application of the BAND-IT clamps.
  4. Bend the end of the band on the inside diameter beneath the buckle to keep it, and the buckle from moving.

Tools for the Job

There are multiple options for tools, first, there is the Bantam tool or the Standard Banding Tool. The Bantam tool is great for access in tight areas and light-duty banding applications such as sign hanging. But if you’re looking for strength, then the standard banding tool is for you!

Clamp it with BAND-IT
18V ULTRA-LOK TOOL

To use the banding tool, make sure the cutter blade is facing down and out, not against the object being clamped. Slide the tail of the band into the opening at the head of the tool, lifting the gripper bar to allow easy movement of the tail, and move the tail in as far as possible to avoid the buckle slipping into the head of the tool. Tighten the band clamp by turning the tension handle clockwise. Be careful, if you tighten your band past the maximum tension, the band will stretch and ultimately break.

The  Ultra-lok 4000, a cordless, rechargeable tool. At the front of the tool, the “head”, there is the sliding entrance for clamp insertion, cut-off handle, speed settings of 1 and 2, torque settings, reverse and forward settings, and the trigger. This tool can be used in a number of applications, such as hose assembly and municipal signage. In order to use this tool and make sure that the sliding block or gripper guide is all the way at the head of the tool before inserting the clamp. If it's not set the motor to reverse and push the gripper guide to the head of the tool. With the cut-off handle, we want to insert the clamp tail into the head of the tool. Push the tool all the way until it touches the buckle. Keep in mind, orientation is very important for the proper use of the Ultra-lok 4000, it should be at the 90-degree angle from the clamp. Now you’re ready to install, but remember the tool will stop on its own when it acquires the right amount of tension. Once the tool stops and provides an audible clicking sound, release the trigger and push forward on the cut-off handle with a strong, hard stroke. Now that the clamp is installed, we want to make sure the lock is completely secure, so hammer down on the buckle casing to make sure that the clamp isn’t going anywhere! Lastly, you want to remove the remaining clamp tail within the tool. Push the sliding block all the way forward by reversing the drill. Once the block is all the way at the head of the tool, you can pull the excess clamp tail free.

Steps on how to find the Maximum Tension

  1. The first way is called the “three-line test”. Using a felt-tip marker, place three lines at ¼” intervals away from the buckle and tool. As you continue turning the tension handle, keep an eye out on these lines in relation to the buckle. When they stop moving, you’ve reached your maximum tension!
  2. The second way to determine maximum tension is by placing your finger on the band just past the buckle. While tensioning with the handle, you will feel the BAND-IT stop moving when it’s reached its maximum tensions. When it stops moving, stop turning!
  3. Once you’ve reached the maximum tension, roll the tool over the buckle, winding the tension handle counter-clockwise a half to a full turn. Failure to unwind the handle, or “back-off” the tension, may result in the band breaking. The cutter bar should now be facing up.
  4. Secure the tool with one hand and pull the cutter bar back with a quick, strong force. Remove the tool and you will be left with a band tab on your clamp.
  5. Push the tab down between the “ears” of your buckle and hammer the ears down over the tab of the clamp. This locks your clamp in place and gives you a completed band clamp.
  6. To remove the leftover tail from the tool, push up on the gripper bar and pull the excess band from the tool!

Other BAND-IT Products

BAND-IT BAND-FAST
BAND-IT BAND-FAST

BRACK-ITS are additions to the BAND-IT clamp that are used for mounting traffic signs, security devices, and enclosures. They come with either ½” or ¾” slots, depending on the type. These little pieces of hardware are designed to withstand stress and wind vibration, so you know your sign or security camera isn’t about to be blown away.

Another product is an ID tagging system, which can be used to print your own ID tags, and a center punch tool and clamps. Or if you’re looking for something a bit more vibrant, BAND-IT’s COLOUR-IT line supplies clamps in all the colours of the rainbow. These COLOUR-IT bands have a polyester coating and offer the same superior performance and durability.

Now hopefully that was enough information for you to jump on the “band” wagon. But if you have any other questions please feel free to contact us here and we would be more than happy to help you out, and don’t forget to subscribe to our emailing list, so you can stay up to date on everything happening here at ohcanadasupply.ca.

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