Official Luthiers Forum!

For the longest time I just used Dollarama craft/scrapbooking tape, and it was perfect. However, they don’t seem to carry it anymore. The stuff from Michael’s is useless, so I’ve resorted to cutting up strips of carpet tape which is tedious and cumbersome. Turns out I use two sided tape a lot…

The StewMac stuff:

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-a ... a066e96539

But I also use more of the blue tape, CA glue trick than I used to.

This was suggested by the Looth Group. I haven't tried it yet. But I just got it in the mail.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017IET8QM?re ... asin_title

_________________
https://www.instagram.com/fostinoguitars/
https://www.facebook.com/PuraVidaUkuleles/

I’ve always used Ace Hardware carpet tape of various tacks or for thin light tack book binding tape. I didn’t know SM carried it. Looks good.

Since SM stopped sending a printed catalog they probably carry a lot of stuff I don’t know about. I always enjoyed paging through a new copy.

_________________
It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I've been using 3M 109 poster tape for about eight years. It's thin (~0.005", 0.13 mm) and has good holding power. I use it for things like holding pieces to a carrier to go through the drum sander and attaching templates like my headstock and bridge templates to wood. The only negative about it is that it doesn't tear off nicely from the dispenser, so I just cut off the pieces I want with scissors. It doesn't leave any adhesive behind.

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

The DS tape I use most is Scotch Double Sided tape and I usually get it from Dollar Tree. It adheres well on a clean surface and is generally removable without solvents.

An interesting tape I use sometimes is 3M 300SLE. THe "SLE" is Low Surface Energy and it sticks to polypropylene and polyethylene plastics very well. If I do use it on wood, and want to remove it, I use small pieces, use very minimal pressure and remove it promptly. It is serious adhesive and best for LE plastics but is good for temporarily holding large wood pieces. Its a beast to get off if you clamp it or leave it one for more than an hour. Its good for holding jigs and fixture parts that will be screwed together.

_________________
Measure Twice,

Karl Borum

Hmm…yes I had forgotten about Dollar Tree, perhaps they may have some. I’m after the 1/4” wide stuff. I use mostly for attaching sandpaper to sanding blocks, which I do a lot…

As mentioned above, I use 3M original blue and Hot stuff medium CA for holding bridges, fretboards etc on my CNC. It’s got great holding power and leaves zero glue residue.

StewMac tape for me although I do use the CA/masking tape trick on occasion.

_________________
Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Thanks for the reminder Kbore…Dollartree for the win.

I tried various double sided tapes since my return to Canada 10 years go, but have never been happy. Fortunately, I’ve travelled to New Zealand every 2 or 3 years and so stocked up on my return with the Sellotape I’ve been using for the last 20 years. It’s thin, holds well, and easy to use — ideal for making custom sanding blocks or holding bridges for routing. (Sellotape is a very old brand name that originated in the UK.)

In NZ and Australia it’s sold in various widths at home improvement centres in packaging like this:
https://www.bunnings.co.nz/sellotape-12mm-x-15m-double-sided-tape_p0145858
I see Amazon has what looks similar, but they say it’s easy to tear by hand, so doesn’t seem the same. I’ll continue to source mine as long as I can from New Zealand.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Uline has about 20 different types...

Only problem is that their shipping is very expensive.

I buy my shipping boxes from them and even with shipping they are cheaper (or the same) as anyone else. and I get them the next day.

I’ve been using some I received from SM but it leaves a residue that doesn’t impress me. I just got an email from Lee Valley showing the double sided tape they have for holding templates sandpaper etc. I haven’t tried it yet but I’m going to pick some up. They are saying it doesn’t leave any residue and comes off cleanly in their advertising.
Might be worth a look Ed.

_________________
Remember, there are no stupid questions, only stupid answers!

Masking tape/CA for almost everything, sometime I use exhibition tape (comes off clean from one side, holds tight on the other) for sandpaper on boards for large areas.

_________________
The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.