Choosing the Right Chains, Straps, and Shackles for Your Shop

Buying the proper chains, straps and lifting hardware is important for welding and machine shops. These components make up your rigging and having the right gear ensures every lift is safe and efficient. Start with your chains. A set of 3/8” chains with four legs and slack adjusters, typically in 5‑foot lengths. Next are straps, use 2” wide straps with an assortment of lengths. Use 4, 6, 8 foot straps and always buy these in pairs. For the lighter applications, get 1” straps. Again getting an assortment of lengths like 4, 6, 8 feet long and buy them in pairs. You will need shackles and lifting hardware as well so you can do the job safely. These are usually sized in tons. So get 3, 5, 7 ton shackles. Again buy them in pairs. Make sure that when buying chains to always buy self locking hooks. For fabricators this is a must, these hooks make choker hitches so much easier. When outfitting or resupplying your shop, the heavier chains are usually used in the welding shop. The lighter machine shop components generally use smaller chains and nylon slings. When using nylon slings, avoid sharp edges that can cut the fabric. Make sure you are purchasing correct capacity lifting components, If you are lifting 6,000 lbs then your straps should be rated higher – something like 10,000 lbs. or a factor of .6 of strap rating. We supply rigging to fabrication shops, machine shops, municipalities, propane suppliers, ski resorts, sand and gravel operations, and many more industries. Because of our background in the lifting business, we are also great at safety training for rigging. Try our service. We can certify your workers, your lifting devices, and your slings with one phone call. Crane tech promises to keep working hard to earn your business. So give us a call at 705-734-0012. We work as hard as you do. So if you are in Durham, Walkerton, Owen Sound, Barrie or Collingwood give us a call. We inspect cranes, auto hoists, elevating lift platforms, bridge cranes, knuckle booms, drywall booms, racking to name but a few. Remember that the Crane Tech Inspection team can conveniently inspect all of your lifting equipment at the same time. One call for all of your lifting equipment! Crane Tech inspects and maintains your Hoist Lifting Equipment. Call us at 705-734-0012. See us on Instagram. On the web www.craneservices.ca. We know your equipment best!