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I need to order some more double stick tape. I've been using 3M 444. It has worked fine for me. I notice that they make a lot of other tapes. Other manufacturers are out there too. For those of you who use double stick in the shop frequently, are there other tapes I should be looking at? I'm using it for holding down small pieces sent through a thickness planer or thickness sander, holding magnets and cleats while doing crack repairs, holding classical bridges during carving, etc.

I just use dollar store 'craft' double stick tape. Available in 1/8 - 1/2".

I just use dollar store 'craft' double stick tape. Available in 1/8 - 1/2".

I use this stuff from lowes that is awesome. Carpet tape I think. Don't use too much. It is very effective.

I've been using this from McMaster & like it
http://www.mcmaster.com/#fastening-tape ... es/=xqwwcz

It's made by Intertape, works like masking tape meaning that it's fairly easy to tear.

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I'm not a luthier.
I'm just a guy who builds guitars in his basement.
It's better than playing golf.

I've been using the 3M carpet tape. It's fairly thin and I can get it apart after use. It does tend to leave a bit of residual adhesive. A bit of naphtha usually takes care of it. Some of the other 3M DSTs are way too agressive and insanely expensive..

Why is the masking tape/superglue trick so little known? I only came across it a few weeks ago.

Stick a length of masking tape (the cheap beige stuff) firmly to each piece. Apply a thin line of CA glue down the centre of the masking tape. Stick together.

This is stronger than much double-sided tape and 100 times easier to remove (particularly if you can leave an end of the tape visible on one piece. The only gotcha is too much CA.

I've used this to tape plates to the bench for planing, and it works really well.

I have used this once or twice now and it is probably better in every way.

This is why I love this place. As I clicked on this discussion I thought to myself "none of my friends and family would understand why I would read an internet discussion other people are having about double stick tape." Then, not only do I get some leads on good tape, I get this little gem!

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Bryan Bear PMoMC

Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.

I use the 3m from Stewmac. It may well be 444, but it isn't labeled with a 3m part number. I love it. Easy to peel the backing from, sticks very well, is thin. Parts never slip, and just wick some acetone in to separate the pieces. Peels off and cleans easily with a little acetone if any residue is left behind.
Mike

The masking tape trick sounds good but is it as sticky strong as the 3M stuff? Also for some operations it might be too thick like for instance leveling off the neck scarf joint as done in C&N's book.

IDK what number the tape is but it comes on a tape roll/cutter with the yellow background. It's 3M and it works like a charm and I can get it at my local hardware store. I'm a big fan of just about everything 3M.

I will admit it sounds ridiculous, and 3M makes some really great stuff(I really like the perfect-it abrasives), but the masking tape/ca trick is mighty handy.
One of those things you need to remember in the back of your head. I actually refaced a very fine grit, slow speed grinder wheel with 40 grit paper the other day to flatten some steel. I think the grinder wheel only turns a few hundred rpm, but the paper held very well, and then the masking tape peels right off. Probably a very poor idea. Don't do this.

We use 3M 9589 in our school shop. It isn't cheap but it is GREAT. I trust it enough to let students use it.

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Burton
http://www.legeytinstruments.com
Brookline, MA.

I am a masking tape and CA convert.

+1 for the StewMac 3m - I use it for many operations in the shop

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guitarsbygiltzow.com

Thanks Chris. I can't explain why I didn't know this trick, but I didn't. It's a forehead smacker when you hear it. Now my head hurts.

I tried it out in the shop today, and it works as advertised. I'll still find some uses for double stick, but I'll be buying a lot less. Hop across the ocean, and I'll buy you a beer.

Thanks too, to everyone who offered sources and brands of double stick tape. I knew I'd come to the right place.

Wow, thank you!

Do yourself a favor and try Uline's double sided masking tape. ~1/3 the price of 3M. I'll never use anything else. If you put the taped joint under clamping pressure for a few minutes, it's the strongest stuff I've ever seen. (A friend of mine turns bowls on his lathe with this tape holding the stock to the chuck plate)

http://www.uline.com/BL_3117/Uline-Double-Sided-Masking-Tape?keywords=Double%20Sided%20Tape

I think those who know it just assume everyone else does, so never mention it. Spread the word (and if I make it to your neck of the woods I'll accept that beer). It is, as you say, one of those Ohmigod moments - I couldn't quite believe it and spent 10 mins sticking things together and shaking my head.

I'm sure there are still a number of uses for double stick tape, but this method covers 90% of what I'd need and is so much less fuss. And it only takes seconds to check out if its good enough for what you're working on.

For those like me who are visual learners or don't believe something until you see it here you go:

That video was very helpful. I'll try it. Still, I spent an awful lot of time looking at the head tatoos.

With this work with blue painters tape or is it important that it be basic masking tape?

If you have a Daiso, the single rolls are $1.5. Works great for most things.
http://www.daisojapan.com/p-26314-doubl ... 10pks.aspx

For serious gripping power apps, I use carpet tape, But it's overkill for a lot of apps.

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Pat

I think the only problem with blue tape is it's a little thicker and a bit more expensive. Try it with blue, if it works lash out on cheap stuff!

This tape is at Lowe's it works for me and it's not too hard to peel the back of.


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Yes, I used 3m blue painters tape yesterday to use this to stick UMHW plastic strips to a jig I was building. Worked like a charm.