Gaffer's tape? (Page 4): Although the fabric base is different from duct tape, the real difference is the adhesive. Gaff tape is made to release cleanly from most surfaces. Especially...

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Gaffer's tape?

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Jun 6, 2018 09:54:31 #

PGHphoto Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Gitchigumi wrote:

It is a matte black fabric tape that is sticky and strong, but not shiny. It is somewhat like duct tape, except in color and surface. Adhesive is about the same. It is meant for temporary use, not long-term "fixes".👍🤓👍

Although the fabric base is different from duct tape, the real difference is the adhesive. Gaff tape is made to release cleanly from most surfaces. Especially necessary when in a theater venue where cables are taped to the floor for safety. People get sooooo touchy when you leave gummy tape residue on their nice carpets or walls !!!

Jun 6, 2018 09:55:28 #

art pear Loc: North Dakota

It is amazing. You can put it on almost anything and it sticks and causes no damage. Autobody stores usually carry it if you need it now, otherwise amazon is your best bet. As with everything some brands are better. And it comes in several colors. My experience though is that black is best.

Jun 6, 2018 10:08:54 #

Don W-37 Loc: Bangkok, Thailand

Last time I checked, you could order it from Amazon.com.

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Jun 6, 2018 10:30:34 #

peterg Loc: Santa Rosa, CA

bobmcculloch wrote:

I think a camera video store would be the most likely, my first check would be B&H but then that's "my camera " store

Good local & on-line camera stores (e.g. Adorama, B&H, etc.), Amazon, EBay, Orchard Supply Hardware. Quality varies. Not cheap.

Jun 6, 2018 10:38:51 #

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I found large rolls of gaffer tape available at a local hardware store far less expensively than I've ever seen it in photo/video stores. Same stuff, just a whole lot cheaper.

I always keep a few rolls handy (black and white).

Even had occasion to "repair" a horse's hoof with it one time.

Jun 6, 2018 11:30:16 #

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I had been producing theater AV productions for corps for years. No one I knew ever heard of gaffer's tape.
Theatrical people, cinematographer's, photographers and AV gear companies were the only ones that used it.
It could only be bought houses that sold AV gear. Now Amazon, B&H and many others have it. It is unique in
it's ability to stick and form around and peel off easily. I have it now and their seem to be different levels of
quality Amazon sells. it used to be $25 dollars for a large wide roll. I carry it in my camera bags everywhere.
For video filming it has so many uses. I hope this background helps.

Jun 6, 2018 11:48:19 #

drklrd Loc: Cincinnati Ohio

jamesl wrote:

Thanks. Is it something that would be available in stores like Walmart or would you need to get it through a camera store?

You will never find it at wally world or wallmart. Usually find it in places like Dodd Camera and to find it you may have to ask the guy behind the rental counter as he will know more than the guy behind the counter

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Jun 6, 2018 11:54:09 #

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

jamesl wrote:

I realize this might seem like a dumb question to some, but I'll ask anyway. I hear photographers talk about using gaffer's tape for a number of things when they are out shooting, so I would like to know what it is. Is it the same as masking tape or the blue painters tape? If it is a special type of tape for photography use, where do you get it?

Not a dumb question at all. Pardon my repeating any earlier posts. It is like duct tape in that it has an adhesive applied to a cloth substrate and is about as wide. The similiarity ends there. I could be wrong, but I think duct tape was developed for sealing joined air duct joints (and to postpone trips to the body shop according to Car Talk) where strength, long life, and resistance to moisture are important. Gaffers tape is for temporarily securing cables to prevent injuries to people and equipment. It is formulated for easy tearing, low reflectance, and clean removal as it should leave no residue so as not to discolor the floor after the job is done. There is no good substitute for what it was designed. Guitar Center is a good local source though most audio-video-photo suppliers should have it. Since it removes so cleanly and does not reflect much light, it's not bad for use on camera bodies when the need arises. I've never seen it at hardware or department stores, but then I would never think to look there.

Jun 6, 2018 12:17:13 #

Jack 13088 Loc: Central NY

Retina wrote:

It is like duct tape in that it has an adhesive applied to a cloth substrate and is about as wide. The similiarity ends there. I could be wrong, but I think duct tape was developed for sealing joined air duct joints (and to postpone trips to the body shop according to Car Talk) where strength, long life, and resistance to moisture are important.

That is one of the common urban legends even though it is a crappy duct sealer. A tin knocker friend of mine claims it has never been used as such. Then there is the duct vs duck controversy. It is one if the essential field repair items, however. All wilderness kayakers and canoeists carry a roll in case of the dreaded hole in your boat. Regardless of cost it is not a substute for gaffers tape! The real stuff is by my standards very expensive! I would pass on anything affordable. Unfortunately it appears 3M does not manufacture gaffers tape.

Jun 6, 2018 13:35:34 #

RichKenn Loc: Merritt Island, FL

I have a friend who owns an Ace Hardware store. When I explained to him what it is, he got some in. It is not cheap but very useful.

Jun 6, 2018 13:42:32 #

pmackd Loc: Alameda CA

Gaffer's tape is absolutely wonderful. Dozens of uses and far superior to duct tape. I learned about it decades ago when I worked in the film industry. Ever since I have kept a roll of black and a roll of white in my office, and a roll of black on my boat. In that time I have never bought duct tape. I also take a small amount when I travel, for unexpected repairs. Gaffer's tape actually available (online) in many, many colors. One caveat: for certain heavy duty or exposed-to-the-weather applications Gorilla Tape is much better, though even more expensive.

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Jun 6, 2018 13:50:25 #

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

Jack 13088 wrote:

That is one of the common urban legends even thoug... (show quote)

That does not surprise me a bit. I tried duct tape on some duct many years ago and it dried up in no time. I was just going from the name and my lack of HVAC time using metal ducts. My only point was duct and gaffer tape are very different since original question brought up both.

Jun 6, 2018 14:45:42 #