Gaffer tape idea- could use input

[Merkin]

A lot of the time, it seems like the most important photo accessory I use is 2" black gaffer tape. I keep a roll tied to the strap of my old rebuilt olympus case (tied on with, what else, a piece of gaffer tape that I doubled over 🙂). I am working on putting together a smaller travel kit though, which would go in some sort of satchel or messenger bag, and a full roll of gaffer tape is both too large and too heavy to carry around all the time.

Since I can't find small rolls of 2" gaff tape, I need a way to only carry some tape with me. I thought of a possible solution earlier. My solution would be to pre-cut strips of tape, and affix them to some sort of easily peeled away material, since gaffer tape tends to keep all of it's adhesive on the tape, and it can be re-stuck a couple of times before it loses much of it's strength.

I think this idea might have a bit of promise, but I need help brainstorming a good material to use as backing that will balance ease and speed of removal with the need to preserve as much of the tape's sticking power as possible.

Thanks in advance for any ideas you might have. If you think this idea might be useful for you, give it a shot, and let me know how it works for you.

 

[alternatve]

I work in the theater industry and we like our duct tape as well. 🙂

My suggestion is to flatten the roll of duct tape and secure it in that position with some strong rubber bands. This way, the gap in the middle is eliminated and you have a full roll of duct tape to go anytime.

Hope this helps.

Samuel

 

[ducttape]

being in the tape business...

You could strip out the core on a shorter roll and crush it, as suggested.

You could also cut strips and put them, one atop another, on a piece of waxed release paper, or aluminum foil, etc.

You could 'roll your own'. Wind as much as you'll need around a wasted initial rolled part. Or maybe use a 2" spool of some sort, like a 120 take up reel or something. Or the core of a roll of adding machine tape (do they use cares anymore?)

Very rarely does gaffers get wound to 10 yard rolls, like dollar store duct tape. It's just too expensive an item and the folks it's intended for use it too fast. We have a large inventory of 30 yard rolls last year, but we had them because the guy who wound them couldn't sell them! (too short!)

BTW, this stuff comes in great colors now. Bright reds, yellows, greens, blues, etc. And recently, fluorescent colors too. You can work up short assorted rolls.

David

 

[like2fiddle]

You could also make several winds around each film canister you are carrying...

 

[dmr]

being in the tape business...

Are you aware that some people make prom dresses out of duct tape?

No, I am not kidding! 🙂

 

[sienarot]

Are you aware that some people make prom dresses out of duct tape?

No, I am not kidding! 🙂

Holy smokes, you're right!

Duct Tape Dresses on Flickr

 

[crawdiddy]

Are you aware that some people make prom dresses out of duct tape?

No, I am not kidding! 🙂

David Letterman had a guy on who made a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors out of duct tape. They were 'not for sale.'

 

[oftheherd]

I used to wrap it around a pencil. I had a writing instrument and a supply of tape. Now if you need rolls of it at a time, that wouldn't work, but your scenario doesn't seem to be that.

 

[dmr]

Holy smokes, you're right!

Of course I'm right. 🙂 I've seen one, worn by the daughter of a friend of a friend last spring. (DOAFOAF?)

Of course she kinda cheated, starting out with a thrift-shop a-line, cut a bit, and then covered it mostly with silver tape, black tape for the trim. 🙂

It really didn't look that bad. Really!