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I need some more tape, and the 3M stuff from Stewmac is different than it used to be. Apparently 3M stopped making this particular tape and the new version at SM has really bad reviews. I'm talking about the clear tape about 2" wide with white paper on it.

Any tips on the best kind to get?

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"Real guitars are for old people, Mr. Marsh."

Eric Cartman

I use Scotch (3M) poster tape. It has good adhesion and is pretty thin (0.008"). I have no experience with the StewMac tape but after going through a couple individual rolls of the Scotch double-stick tape, I bought a 6-pack because I like it.

It's available as individual dispensers at Ace Hardware and 6-packs are available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NXLBUJI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

I got spoiled many years ago by Sellotape double-sided, but as far as I know, it’s only sold in Australasia (maybe also the UK?) I’ve failed to find an alternative in North America that’s near as good — much to my surprise. Fortunately I have family reasons to visit NZ from time-to-time and this is on my bring-home list.


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There is always the double blue tape and CA method. Put a piece of painter's tape on both pieces so they match locations. Then put a drop of CA on one and mate it up with the other. Skew sideways to undo.

+1 on using painters tape and CA. I was a big skeptic, but it really does work. I still have a roll of specialty tape I got as work holding for my CNC, but rarely use it because the CA and tape works so well.


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I have a roll of the old 3M and the new stuff from StewMac.

For the most part the new stuff works exactly as you expect. I’ve used it for template routing a bunch of times.

I only had one instance where it wasn’t holding well due to not enough surface area.

So it’s maybe not quite as strong, but it you use enough it works great. It’s hard to pull the templates off bare wood.

In my experience the tape and CA method takes more time and doesn’t work any better. Half the time it doesn’t hold well due to the lower tack of the blue tape. Plus CA gets expensive.

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Thanks for the replies. I might just try the new stuff from SM. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little lazy about some things.

Hey, Tim M., I found some Sellotape on Amazon. It comes in a red wrapper and says it's for crafts& such. 25mm wide. Is that the tape you're talking about?

As for the tape/CA method, just to be clear: when you say painters tape it's masking tape, right? I'd rather ask a stupid question than ruin my masterpiece.

_________________
"Real guitars are for old people, Mr. Marsh."

Eric Cartman

Masking tape comes in different tack (how hard it holds). “Painter’s” tape usually is on the mid to low tack, and is blue or green to indicate it will peal off easily. This is up to the manufacturers, though. You CAN make beige low tack or green high hold and no one is going to jail. Big brands like 3M will usually indicate if the tape is particularly grippy or weak on the package.

I recommend the regular blue stuff. Far from not holding well enough, I’ve had the opposite problem of peeling fibers off soft woods like cedar.


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Sorry for the delayed reply, but I’ve only just seen this post. I looked up on amazon.com and suspect you’ve found the same product packaged in the UK. In fact, I visited a local Bunnings this morning in New Zealand to restock. Packaging in NZ hasn’t changed in the 13 years I’ve been using it — 33m rolls, 10, 12, 18 and 25 mm wide.





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