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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Hi John,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>We have been also been using a woven strap for many years. The
only challenge we have had is that on one occasion the buckles were
sub-standard and unraveled with the pressure of the compression. We are
consistently getting about 7% compression with good bales using the woven
strapping. We also use a standard tensioning tool that the timber industry
would use for strapping timber. The polyester strapping has a 1,1000 kg
breaking strain. As Chris has said, ensure that you use a woven strap, as the
manufacturers of other strapping advise you not to tension their straps more
than once. We tension our straps 3 times to get the 7% compression. We have a
timber structure above and below the bales as per normal, and envelop this
timber and the bales with the strapping. We use a buckle on each side of the
wall to ensure that we do not get twist the top timber during
compression. The product is called narrow strap by Narrow Tex who I understand
have distributors I the USA. It may well be the same strap that Chris is
speaking of. The Narrow Strap product is either white with 2 red lines down its
length or bright orange, which is the one we use. We compress to tension and
then pack the top boxing to a level line for pitching the roof off.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I trust this is of some benefit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Regards<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Brian<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Anvill <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Straw Building Consultants <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com [mailto:GSBN-bounces@greenbuilder.com] <b>On
Behalf Of </b>John Swearingen<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, 9 October 2009 3:19 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> (private, with public archives) Global Straw Building Network<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [GSBN] your preferred strapping tool?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>We don't pack..er, strap.
We just wedge 'em under the box beam, VERY tightly.<br>
<br>
John<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal>On Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 1:42 PM, <<a
href="mailto:cmagwood@kos.net">cmagwood@kos.net</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>We use a 3/4 inch woven banding material that comes from<br>
Canada Wide Packaging, but is readily available anywhere<br>
that does packaging supplies.<br>
<br>
The tool is about $100, the strapping is $40 for a huge<br>
roll and the D-buckles are 500 for $25.<br>
<br>
Avoid at all costs nylon banding materials that aren't<br>
woven. They fray easily and are very frustrating. Also<br>
avoid systems that clamp the strapping in order to finish,<br>
as you won't be able to readjust. Ours came with a cutter<br>
that we disabled so the tail would be left to reattach<br>
later.<br>
<br>
Chris<o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
> Do you use a strapping tool for compression of loadbearing<br>
> strawbale<br>
> walls? I am seeking suggestions and guidance on vendors,<br>
> brands, makes<br>
> and models of strapping tool that strawbale builders have<br>
> found useful.<br>
> I am working in the southwestern United States. The<br>
> immediate project<br>
> is a 24' x 24' utility building, scheduled to be built in<br>
> a workshop in<br>
> Las Cruces, NM, next month.<br>
><br>
> Thanks for your help,<br>
><br>
> Derelict<br>
><br>
> Derek Roff<br>
> Language Learning Center<br>
> Ortega Hall 129, MSC03-2100<br>
> University of New Mexico<br>
> Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001<br>
> 505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885<br>
> Internet: <a href="mailto:derek@unm.edu">derek@unm.edu</a><br>
><br>
> _______________________________________________<br>
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> <a href="http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/GSBN" target="_blank">http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/GSBN</a><br>
><br>
<br>
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<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<br clear=all>
<br>
-- <br>
John Swearingen<br>
<a href="http://www.skillful-means.com">www.skillful-means.com</a><br>
blog: <a href="https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com">https://skillfulmeansdesign.wordpress.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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