Industrial buckles applications and uses vary widely between jobs and industries. For some applications, you may be able to use a lightweight plastic buckle, while others require heavy metal buckles. As you determine which industrial buckle meets your needs, work closely with your belt buckle manufacturer to make sure you get exactly what you need.

Buckle manufacturers are your best source of customized buckle making supplies but you can also find many ready-to-use options from a reputable buckle distributor. As you consider which industrial buckles applications and uses work best for you, you should factor in a number of considerations. Cost is always important, but shouldn't be the deciding factor. You should also consider:

1. The size of the industrial buckles you need. The smallest buckle for your task is the least costly option.

2. The weight and tension the industrial buckles can provide. You want an industrial buckle that is solid enough to perform the job and not let the tension loose on the strapping material.

3. The type of strapping material. Not all strapping material works with all buckle types.

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Use strapping buckles to ship your products

Securing strapping to packages for shipping is one of the most common uses of industrial buckles, and you can find a size that's just right for every package. In some cases you can buy belt buckle making supplies (the buckle and webbing) as part of a combination package to save money.

I recommend: See a variety of industrial buckles applications and uses for the shipping industry at Southern Strapping Systems. Find directions for using strapping buckles from PackagingSupplies.com.

Buy industrial buckles to secure your products for shipment

As you look at industrial buckles applications and uses for transportation, keep in mind you want a buckle that is big enough to do the job. You also want a buckle system that stays tight but is easy to open and close.

I recommend: Use the metal cam lock buckle from WebRiggingSupply.com to secure items for transportation. You can order a variety of hooks attached to the webbing and belt buckle hardware to configure the setup to meet your needs. Belt buckle manufacturer, Westco Performance, shows a variety of industrial buckles that stay secure on moving vehicles.

Find industrial buckles in safety harnesses

When you choose industrial buckles to use in a safety harness, it's important that you buy buckles intended for that purpose. There are a number of buckles used in safety equipment, so you should be familiar with these types and pick the right one for your needs.

I recommend: See an example of buckles used in safety harnesses provided by the buckle suppliers at Grainger. These industrial belt buckles and their harnesses also work as fall protection. You can read about industrial buckles applications and uses on the Safety Equipment Blog. There are a number of applications demonstrated in the article.

There are many small items necessary to running a business that at first you wouldn't consider. When it comes to packaging and shipping a product, you may suddenly realize that you can't do it without a metal cam lock buckle or some other sort of strapping buckles. Getting in touch with manufacturers of industrial buckles before you ship your product saves you time and hassle.

Aside from the necessity of an industrial buckle for shipping large products, another business solution presents itself in the form of industrial belt buckles. You can use belt buckles as a means of promotion. Distributing custom buckles at company events is a unique way of branding, and ensures your company or product stays present in the public awareness. Some things to consider about industrial buckles are:

1. You can order custom designs directly through belt buckle manufacturers.

2. Industrial buckle supply companies specialize in strapping buckles suited for just about every packaging and shipping necessity.

3. For smaller, individualized applications, contact a custom buckle manufacturer that works in plastic and metal.

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Work with a buckle distributor to advertise

Though belt buckles are available in many retail stores worldwide, getting in touch with belt buckle manufacturers and belt buckle suppliers lets you come up with a custom business solution. Use the buckles as a means to promote an event, or a product, or even your company.

I recommend: CustomBeltBuckles.ca, a Canadian belt buckle manufacturer, offers a wide range of belt buckle hardware and belt buckle making supplies. Impression Marketing takes the idea a step further, and offers belt buckles that can be customized to market your product or company.

Buy heavy duty strapping buckles to ensure your product is delivered safely

Heavy duty strapping materials such as webbing and chain are great ways to fasten large loads. However, they are only as strong as the buckle that ultimately ties them down. Buy direct from an industrial buckle supply company to make sure you don't jeopardize your shipment.

I recommend: Granat Industries, Inc. offers buckles suited to match an extensive range of materials and differing material widths. Their buckles cover situations from small, personal applications, to heavy duty industrial shipping needs. Rome Fastener Corporation deals mostly with smaller needs, but also offers a selection of grommets and eyelets.

Get a custom solution for your needs from a buckle manufacturer

While there are a wealth of buckles currently on the market, it is entirely possible that you may have come up with a unique product. Maybe you can't find a buckle that exactly suits your needs. In this case, get in touch with a buckle manufacturer to devise your own buckle.

I recommend: Albest Metal Stamping Corp. works in metal and plastic to deliver buckles and fasteners. Or, if you have a rough idea of which buckle you need, but need to work out the other details of packaging, check the Peyton Packaging catalog.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  For shipping purposes, you can never have too many straps and buckles on hand. Contact buckle distributors about bulk and wholesale discounts.

Industrial buckles types and styles are as varied as the number of belt buckle suppliers. Industrial strapping buckles come in all widths and can secure any weight packaging. Not only can you find an industrial buckle for any job, you can also find a belt buckle manufacturer to work with you to create custom belt buckle hardware for your products.

As you consider industrial buckles types and styles, you need to consider whether you want to buy the buckles pre-fabricated from a buckle distributor or if you want to buy belt buckle making supplies to make your own strapping buckles. You also must consider the following:

1. The weight of the product you want the industrial buckles to secure. You can find industrial belt buckles that can secure a lot of weight, but you have to purchase large enough buckles to do the job right.

2. The type of strap you plan to use with the strapping buckles. The weight of the strapping material needs to correspond to the weight limits of the buckles.

3. The ease of operation. Obviously you don’t want the buckles to open easily, but they shouldn’t be difficult to open and close either.

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Select strapping buckles for general purposes

These are basic buckles that are primarily for packaging materials you ship through the mail or via a shipping company. These buckles involve threading both ends of the strapping material through the buckle to create a closure.

I recommend: Select the poly strapping buckles from the buckle suppliers at Sigma Supply to wrap parcels securely. For lighter strapping needs, choose poly strapping and plastic buckle making supplies from PAC Strapping Products.

Pick metal industrial buckles

This is the largest class of buckle types. You can choose from swivel bar buckles, pivoting jaw buckles, locking jaw buckles and floating bar buckles. Each buckle performs specific tasks well, so it's important that you get the right buckle for the job.

I recommend: You can find a number of varieties of industrial buckles from the buckle manufacturer, American Cord & Webbing. National Webbing Products has a large selection of metal industrial buckles types and styles.

Choose cam industrial buckles for big jobs

A cam or ratcheting buckle has a mechanism that pulls the strapping material tightly around the package. This type of buckle is ideal for large packages and for heavier strapping material where it's hard to pull the buckle tight enough to be secure. With the ratcheting feature, it takes less energy on the part of your employee to secure the package, and cam buckles also open easily.

I recommend: Find industrial belt buckles that ratchet to tighten from A+ Products. The metal cam lock buckle selection at Samco Sales is large; one of its ratcheting buckles can hold up to 24,000 pounds.

No matter what your purpose, you need to know industrial buckles key terms to get the right buckle for your project. Read this guide to decide if you need lock, strapping, cam lock, clamp, cop lock or tool belt buckles for your goods. And as you learn more about industrial buckles key terms, you might find that a simple buckle can do the job.

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Lock buckles

Lock buckles keep strapping in place by overlapping the strap to secure it. Lock buckles may have a side or front release feature. Simpler lock buckles require you to weave the strapping through the ladders or baffles to secure the strapping material.

I recommend: See the ladder lock buckle at Karst Sports.

Strapping buckle

A strapping buckle is a commonly used metal industrial buckle. Strapping buckles are different from lock buckles, in that they are one piece and require you to thread the strapping material through the buckle.

I recommend: Bic Superstore carries strapping buckles.

Cam lock buckles

Cam lock buckles allow you to pull the strapping material tight. A metal bar or small metal teeth hold the strapping in place. Cam lock buckles have an easy-release device for one-handed operation. Seat belts are an example of cam lock buckles.

I recommend: The Outdoor Store has examples of simple cam lock buckles.

Clamp buckles

Clamp buckles are the type of buckles you normally see as wearable belt buckles. A metal pin inserted into the belt material secures the belt. While clamp buckles can be a fashion statement, they are used in industry for applications in which it is necessary to remove the belt numerous times.

I recommend: Universal Mercantile eXchange has clamp buckles.

Cop lock buckles

Cop lock buckles have two release mechanisms. The first, on top of the buckle, pulls up to allow access to the second, a double-side release button on the side.

I recommend: See the cop lock buckle pictured at BagDepot.

Tool belt buckle

A tool belt buckle has a twist and release mechanism. This simple industrial buckle makes it easy to fasten and unfasten heavy tool belts while providing security. The weight of items in the tool belt helps to keep the belt clasped.

I recommend: American Home & Habitat offers tool belt buckles on its website.