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I give it a little bit of stretch. You can tilt one half up a bit while you pull the tape across to get it tighter, or just to help get an equal amount of stretch on each strip. Don't overdo it. The goal is to make sure it's fully closed, not to apply significant pressure. Laying it down flat would probably work fine, but I like the extra insurance of a little tension on the tape.

I tilt the plates and stretch the tape and use enough of it so that it does draw the plates together nicely.

Note in the pic where the tape is not stuck down in the center?

I built a Spanish Tourniquet and used it on maybe the first ten and then someone posted the tape method. After trying it and getting excellent results when no one in this area wanted my Spanish Tourniquet I pitched it and have not missed it yet.