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Duct tape comparison — Parallax Forums

Duct tape comparison

CuriousOneCuriousOne Posts: 931
edited 2013-10-13 19:18 in General Discussion
Bought 3 different rolls of duct tape from the different manufacturers, sharing expressions, someone might find them useful.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000DH8I8/ref=oh_details_o06_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002TOL45K/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TUG2NS/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As expected, 3M was the best one in terms of durability, glue quality and ease of use. And Duck brand duct tape is the worst - when you try to tear it widthwise, it tears longwise, is thin and not durable. The "glow in the dark" tape is a bit better quality, but still, worse than 3M, and also, it does not glows in the dark, only very very faint glow for short moment of time.

So, if you need good quality duct tape, go with 3M.

Comments

  • GadgetmanGadgetman Posts: 2,436
    edited 2013-10-13 11:12
    Those aren't gray...

    I have a 5meter roll of Duck tape, but marked with 'Power tape' and 'extra strong glue'.
    That stuff is supposedly '100% waterproof'. It also lists being able to hold 4Bar pressure, and tolerate temperatures from -5C to +70C.
    That roll is normally stored in my kayaking kit.
    The previous roll I had of the stuff seemed to adhere pretty well, and also tore as it should. But how old this roll is? Not a clue...
    (I think I'll locate a few rolls before next season)
  • Mark_TMark_T Posts: 1,981
    edited 2013-10-13 11:48
    The best source of comparative information about gaffer tapes I know of comes from Canford:
    http://www.canford.co.uk/Index/Gaffer-tape/ADHESIVE-TAPES

    (Canford used to be the inhouse BBC engineering supply department I gather, so they know about
    gaffer in theatre/TV/film-making rather well I presume).

    They are possibly also the only company to stock a 19 inch rack-mounting wine-rack unit!
    http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/11-231_CANFORD-RACKWINE-Winerack-rack-mount-3U-black
  • Heater.Heater. Posts: 21,230
    edited 2013-10-13 12:42
    Mark_T,

    Now you have done it. I just have to have a 19 inch rack mount wine rack!
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2013-10-13 12:47
    The best, toughest duct tape I've ever used is Gorilla Tape. It's even better than 3M!

    -Phil
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-10-13 12:58
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    The best, toughest duct tape I've ever used is Gorilla Tape. It's even better than 3M!

    -Phil

    Agreed.

    I also think it looks nicer than grey duct tape.

    It's great stuff for building robots.

    If any of you haven't ever tried it, make sure and pick up a roll the next time you're at a hardware store. I haven't met anyone who hasn't liked it once they've tried it.

    I'm pretty sure it's more expensive than regular duct tape so I wouldn't use on my duct work or other projects requiring a lot of tape.
  • doggiedocdoggiedoc Posts: 2,243
    edited 2013-10-13 14:31
    Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) wrote: »
    The best, toughest duct tape I've ever used is Gorilla Tape. It's even better than 3M!

    -Phil
    I concur.
  • ElectricAyeElectricAye Posts: 4,561
    edited 2013-10-13 14:48
    You guys are all wrong! The best tape is Scotch tape. With it, you can even see the bones in your finger.

    http://www.technologyreview.com/view/411085/x-rays-made-with-scotch-tape/
  • Duane C. JohnsonDuane C. Johnson Posts: 955
    edited 2013-10-13 15:38
    And there is the new "Racer Tape" variation called "Bear Bone".
    This stuff comes in large sheets to quickly repair body damage during a race.

    Duane J
  • K2K2 Posts: 693
    edited 2013-10-13 15:41
    Triboelectric X-Rays from a roll of tape!! This is cray-cray cubed.

    Anyone who understands variable reinforcement ratios as they apply to operant behavior and classical conditioning, will appreciate how difficult it is to abandon the Parallax forum. Thanks to EA's post today, I'm looking at another 10 years of compulsive checking in!
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2013-10-13 16:40
    Well as far as i'm concerned Gaffer Tape is the strongest, that's my opinion and i'm sticking to it!
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2013-10-13 17:10
    skylight wrote: »
    Well as far as i'm concerned Gaffer Tape is the strongest, that's my opinion and i'm sticking to it!

    I've heard this several times but I don't think I've ever used Gaffer's Tape. It's not available at the hardware store is it?
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2013-10-13 18:21
    Gaffer's tape and Duct tape are two different things as is "duct tape" and the tape you would use to tape ducts. Gaffer's tape is non reflective cloth tape used for marking positions and working on scenery and props in movies and theatre. Duct tape used for sealing ducts is usually thin metal or metalized mylar tape or mastic backed metal tape unlike "duct tape" which, as the OP stated, can be almost anything and in most cases is not suitable for sealing ducts.
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2013-10-13 19:18
    I believe the main virtue of gaffer's tape (other than being a cash cow for the companies that make it) is that it removes without leaving any residue. Duct tape (n
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