Gaffer substitute?

[wantunn]

Just thought I'd share something with those of you who didn't get the gaffer tapes from the MO or didn't need such a big roll.
Some of the local DIY store are offering somethign which I fin dquite similar. I just bought at $3 a roll from vin-mart. Its about the size of a roll of masking tape, 2 inches wide and the label says stick and bond cloth tape.

Comes in several colors, I got white, black and silver. I compared it with the tape I got from the MO and it tears like gaffer and peels off like gaffer as well, very clean, no residue. Only diffference I can detect is that this tape seems a little rubbery on the surface (which makes it non-slippery as well).

 

[jon33]

leave the tape on for a while and you'll find that it becomes a real hassle to remove

 

[wantunn]

I wouldn't know. Haven't actually used any yet. ;p

Originally posted by jon33
leave the tape on for a while and you'll find that it becomes a real hassle to remove

 

[jon33]

i have. in army days for general utility stuff. trust me. if we are talking about the same cloth/linen tape (with threads running across the tape) then it becomes real sticky, especially if used under hot sun often.

but still, its a good idea...

 

[hazardman]

Where is vin-mart?
I've got my own substitute for Gaffer tapes. The brand is called Shurtape. It's bout 2cm wide and it's at least 15-20 m long...bout normal masking tape thickness. It's non-stick. I've taped it everywhere on my flash n my Holga. It's definitely not Cloth tape. I've done theatre so i've used those cloth tape, masking tape, duct tape, double sided tape watever tape... be4. Guess how much i got mine for?
S$1.35

thats y in e end i din buy the $30 gaffer tape.

 

[Larry]

Originally posted by wantunn
Some of the local DIY store are offering somethign which I fin dquite similar. I just bought at $3 a roll from vin-mart. Its about the size of a roll of masking tape, 2 inches wide and the label says stick and bond cloth tape.

DON'T USE THAT ON YOUR CAMERAS!!! :what:

the glue residue comes off and you'll have a helluva time trying to remove it without stains or using some solvent!!! there's a reason why the gaffer is so ex - it really leaves no residue. i've taped over my SLRs several times now and still don't have a single mark to show for it.

i got the same tape that you're referring to and i only use it for un-impt stuff... my precious gear then i use gaffer.

 

[Digipix]

Need to order the real "stuff", just let me know.

 

[wantunn]

I still got the whole roll from the last MO. Haven't needed to tape anyything yet.. maybe I should take up bondage.....
just kidding

Anyway, I've left a piece of the other tape stuck somewhere. Will leave it over a few days just to see if it leaves residue.

Btw Larry,
Why exactly do you need to tape over your SLR? Is this some pro-trick I'm not aware of?

Cheers

Originally posted by Digipix
Need to order the real "stuff", just let me know.

 

[fruitybix]

Originally posted by jon33
i have. in army days for general utility stuff. trust me. if we are talking about the same cloth/linen tape (with threads running across the tape) then it becomes real sticky, especially if used under hot sun often.

but still, its a good idea...

yes, yes, the cloth type is a bad idea, as you will need to really work on removing the adhesive from your camera.

and on another note, vin-mart is expensive place to shop, and if you do decide to get this cloth tape, any downstairs voideck mom and pop hardware shop will do.

 

[wantunn]

Err.. now I'm getting confused. But gaffer IS the cloth type isn't it?

Originally posted by fruitybix


yes, yes, the cloth type is a bad idea, as you will need to really work on removing the adhesive from your camera.

and on another note, vin-mart is expensive place to shop, and if you do decide to get this cloth tape, any downstairs voideck mom and pop hardware shop will do.

 

[Larry]

Originally posted by wantunn
Btw Larry,
Why exactly do you need to tape over your SLR? Is this some pro-trick I'm not aware of?

yah, it's a little-known pro trick to make people think you're a pro and that your F100 is really a D1x. hahahah just kidding. :bsmilie:

i dunno about others, but for me, it's mainly for protection against scratches and bumps. also, i find the grips of my cams a bit too small for my hands (me got big hands), so i use tennis racquet grip and gaffer tape to pad up the grip. much more comfortable for me... i also like the feel of the gaffer tape as a gripping surface. if you come to SEED or any outing, lemme know and i'll be happy to show you what i did to my cams.

i also gaffer up my other gear, like tripod legs and also to plug up the light leaks on my Holga cams.

 

[wantunn]

Orhh.. I see.. maybe next time you can teach me how to Gaffer my E10 to look like a 1D with a 24-70L... maybe gaffer the lens barrel with white tape?

Originally posted by Larry
yah, it's a little-known pro trick to make people think you're a pro and that your F100 is really a D1x. hahahah just kidding. :bsmilie:

i dunno about others, but for me, it's mainly for protection against scratches and bumps. also, i find the grips of my cams a bit too small for my hands (me got big hands), so i use tennis racquet grip and gaffer tape to pad up the grip. much more comfortable for me... i also like the feel of the gaffer tape as a gripping surface. if you come to SEED or any outing, lemme know and i'll be happy to show you what i did to my cams.

i also gaffer up my other gear, like tripod legs and also to plug up the light leaks on my Holga cams.

 

[Larry]

Originally posted by wantunn
Orhh.. I see.. maybe next time you can teach me how to Gaffer my E10 to look like a 1D with a 24-70L... maybe gaffer the lens barrel with white tape?

why not? with a little styrofoam and a lot of gaffer tape, i can make a P&S look like a 1Ds... but don't blame me if you can't take any photos at all... hahahah kidding again :bsmilie:

 

[shmott]

Hmmm.. Issit really true that the gaffer tape you guys MO dont even leave a residue after say 1 yr with all that perspiration and what nots? If so, i would like to have a roll too.. but ive used and seen many gaffer going all sticky after 6 months when they were perfectly alright for a few weeks.

 

[wantunn]

I'm testing now. WIll tell you the answer in 6 mths.

Not kidding, I've just stuck some of each type on my printer stand so in 6 mths time we will know if it really peels off without leaving anything behind.

Originally posted by shmott
Hmmm.. Issit really true that the gaffer tape you guys MO dont even leave a residue after say 1 yr with all that perspiration and what nots? If so, i would like to have a roll too.. but ive used and seen many gaffer going all sticky after 6 months when they were perfectly alright for a few weeks.

 

[Knighthunter]

I also found one gaffer tape that non residue and stain free gaffer tape, the origin of this gaffer tape is from UK. I tried t to gaffer my tripod and I removed again after few days, it didn't really left any stains. So I use it to gaffer my lenses and camera.
One thing that I don't like about this gaffer tape is the adhesive layer is very tick, so I can see white layer at the fringe of the gaffer tape after I pasted to my camera, looks very ugly.

This gaffer tape is 5cm wide and 55m long, very similar to Digipix's gaffer tape but the colour is glossy not matte.
My supplier told me the retail price is around $24, but I got if free as sample.

 

[hazardman]

maybe we can all bring our gaffer to Seed to see see?

 

[cyrilng]

Originally posted by hazardman
Where is vin-mart?
I've got my own substitute for Gaffer tapes. The brand is called Shurtape. It's bout 2cm wide and it's at least 15-20 m long...bout normal masking tape thickness. It's non-stick. I've taped it everywhere on my flash n my Holga. It's definitely not Cloth tape. I've done theatre so i've used those cloth tape, masking tape, duct tape, double sided tape watever tape... be4. Guess how much i got mine for?
S$1.35

thats y in e end i din buy the $30 gaffer tape.

Where did you buy it from?

 

[shmott]

Have anyone tried gaffering your equipment and tried removing them after at least 6 months? A few days and weeks are too short.