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MercTech -> RE: if you like duct tape (1/29/2009 9:30:57 PM)
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Ok... I use thousands of rolls of "duct tape" in my work in the course of a year. And not all tapes are created equal. (temporary enclosures for work on systems containing hazardous materials)
The cheap stuff uses a latex based glue that is high in chlorides and is acidic to boot... this makes it great stuff for removing warts. (Not kidding, google "duct tape warts" and see that reasearch has shown duct tape is more effective than salicilic acid patchs) This the the near worthless silver crud sold in the average hardware store. It mainly sticks to itself. (Polyken is one brand that is infamously corrosive) Cost is from 99 cents to about 5 bucks a roll.
The good stuff is the Mil-Spec stuff that used to only come on OD Green. The infamous DOD 100 mile tape. Yep, it works. I patched a leaking tire with it and drove for over a hundred miles where I found a tire store to do a permanent patch. (chewing gum around the nail and shoved back in the tire and three layers of tape to hold the nail in place.) You can get it in about any color you want these days and it will secure things for the better part of a year before it starts to break down. (3-M and Nashua are good ones) These tapes will run you about $8 a roll unless you buy by the case. And, you should see what you can do with the 24 inch wide rolls of tape.
The above also comes in "nuclear grade" which simply means it is chloride free and will not damage stainless steel if some of the glue stays on and is heated up. For kinkster applications, not worth the extra expense.
A close cousin to "duct tape" is "gaffer tape". Gaffer tape does not have a colored backing but is more like the old fabric bandage tape and gives a nice non slip grip. The glue does not adhere like duct tape. Alas, gaffer tape is only commonly found in stores in California as it is a stock item for use in temporary lash-ups for the film industry.
Things duct tape is not:
kind to bare skin
good for sealing ductwork.. use aluminum tape for that.
a permanent solution
good for holding together exposed to sunlight (uv breaks it down)
For bondage, I prefer to use vet wrap. Vet wrap is cheaper and does not use a glue that can cause chemical dermatitis in the average person. I keep the duct tape and gaffer tape for stringing the lights for a photo session or putting together a temporary modification to non load bearing scaffolding. Another favorite is packing film. U-Haul sells a 4 inch green roll with a very handy handle. Good for securing all sorts of things. <WEG>
But, the old saw is still heard.. "Duct Tape is the force. It has a light side, a dark side, and binds the universe together."
Stefan
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