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I really got attached to the brown binding tape from Stew Mac. But I understand it was "replaced" and there were issues with the new one. Has this been resolved?

Mike

Edit: "Attached" pun not intended, but yet appreciated.

I'm not sure about the new one; I switched to the filament tape when that happened and found I liked it better than the old brown stuff - stronger, more tack, yet still reasonable easy to get off and available to me locally. Bit harder to cut. Could be an option if you have reservations about the current offering from Stew Mac.


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Is the Stew Mac tape different from the LMI tape?

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Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

Mike I squirreled away 2 - 3 rolls of the Sm brown tape before I quit building. I'm happy to send you a roll (free) if you want to PM me a mailing addy?

The steel industrial tape dispensers we use hold two or three rolls of tape, are heavy enough to stay put on carpeted or waxed maple bench tops, and easily handle the cutting tasks with a sharp serrated blade. All appear to be made by the same company and branded by the vendors - U-Line, In-Line, etc. We have one on each repair and building bench and a few more scattered around the shop with specialty adhesives like drafting tape and super low tack paper tape for protecting vintage or delicate finishes during work. U-Line has the best prices on new dispensers, with two and three roll dispensers at about $22 per, and sells the replacement cutter blades. Amazon also sells these same deluxe industrial tape dispensers, but at about twice the price.

http://www.uline.com/BL_7302/Multi-Roll ... 0dispenser

We have a few rolls of the old brown binding tape, but it is seldom used due to its tendency to tear too easily when any real tension is applied and for the adhesive to come off the backing and fouling the surface when heated for easier release. We use 18mm width Scotch brand 897 filament tape for binding, and pay about $3.60 per 60 yard roll in 12-packs from Amazon. Besides a stronger, more tear-resistant tape, the adhesive stays put if heated for ease of release on spruce. A good tape dispenser is a must for this tape - it is impossible to tear by hand and even the sharp edges on unprepped binding will not do the job.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0081 ... UTF8&psc=1

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

I got some brown tap from Stewmac that was not a good as what they had been selling but the new orange tape they now supply seems to be good. I have joined a top and bound one guitar with it so far and it worked.

Fred

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Fred Tellier
http://www.fetellierguitars.com
Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/FE-Tellier-Guitars/163451547003866

Thanks all. Hesh, I'm not looking for more... at least I don't think so. I've got enough for a few more bodies. But I need to think about the future. I have been thinking about filament tape. May give that 897 stuff a try. I just bought a roll of 899 (expensive!!) because I think its the same stuff used to make pneumatic sanding rolls. Will let you know.

Thanks

Woodie, so you've been happy with filament? Are those dispensers heavy? (don't move around easily when one-handing the tape grab)??

Others using it... happy?

The dispensers work well and don't move about when dispensing on either the usual waxed hardwood bench tops or on the carpet samples we use for cushioning - the dispensers are heavy gauge sheet steel screwed together with sheet metal screws and a few plastic pieces for holding the cutter and tape, so pretty heavy and stable at 4+ pounds for the triple roll and 3 pounds for the double roll dispensers.

We have several builders in the area using filament tape, but I believe there are some threads in the archives and over on MIMF with recommendations. One tape not mentioned yet on this thread is the green 3M lacquer-safe masking tape that have both very high tack and are fairly strong for a paper tape. We use that tape for some tasks, and have tried it in the past for binding duty, but like most crepe paper tapes, it needs to be doubled if going around a sharp edge or subject to a lot of tension.

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

The 3M 2060 Green Tape, for hard to stick surfaces, is what I use. It is nearly exactly the same tape as the Scotch 401. Both have a rubber adhesive that releases very cleanly without tearing fibers out, and has a 25 lb. tear strength. I do round the edges of my binding to help with tearing. I tried some non 3M packing tape once but it doesn't stick. Need to try the good stuff, but felt I'd need a holder to tear it. I tear the green tape by hand.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

I use 3M 233+. If a little extra pressure is needed I double it up.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Available at auto supply stores for less $'s than Lee Valley Tools.

Alex

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"Indecision is the key to flexibility" .... Bumper sticker

Well, I bought the tape dispenser from Uline, but after shipping it cost same as Amazon one. No biggee. Do love the heft of it. And the spacer bars. 897 tape on the right.

On the subject of tape, I just bought some regular masking tape 1/4" wide for fret jobs and with shipping came out to something like $0.38 a roll on sale at findtape.com

https://www.findtape.com/JVCC-MT-02-Crepe-Paper-Masking-Tape/p534/?cid=22&idx=16&tid=23&info=Sale%2b%2526%2bOverstock%2bItems

Thanks for the link, Mr. Farmer - I've been looking for both low tack and standard narrow-width crepe tapes for masking and it seems the common options are either very expensive hobby/modeler's tape in tiny quantities or 3M fine line tapes that do not work that well for the task. Much appreciated!

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

Wow. How did I ever get by without one of these dispensers? Note the tape guides. That's the upgrade model. I would not advise the model without guides. I have three different rolls of my fav tapes on it. This thing is heavy, so one handed operation is a given. I have been using the 897 as recommended here. Filament tape. Fair warning, not nearly as sticky as old SM tape. Had to adjust my technique for binding work. But I have found it to be every bit as effective once I figured it out. And, fiber rip-out is essentially zero on removal. No heat gun required to soften tape.

Mike

I'm using the SM tape for initial hold for measuring and fitting. And end part holding while gluing. 897 for everything else. Use the blue tape for light hold where it would have been a waste to use SM tape.

I am glad you are pleased with the dispenser - they are a bargain compared to the cost of installing a third hand! We also use the blue 3M medium tack tape for positioning and fitting - easy to remove and strong enough to keep things in place.

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A constellation only takes shape when one maps the whole.
- Beth Brower

Here's the hi-tech tape dispenser I use when installing binding:

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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've used that system for quite a while.

But seriously, once u get that 897 tape figured out, like it very much.