How cool is Gaffa Tape?
 

like the man says...

I like duck tape, couldn't vote for it though.

Actually, I do know what it is.

But I'm old-fashioned (also an old fart :) ) so I still call it gaffer's tape.

B.

We've been calling it "G-tape" for the last few years.

:)

We call it 'gaffer tape' too. It's good, but it's no duct tape. :D

OMG, I can't believe what I'm hearing... I've been one of those leechers for such a long time, never posting, just trying to absorb your guys' knowledge, and then today when I read you guys bashing on gaffer's tape I had to go and make an account just so I could respond to this....

How can you say that duct tape is better than gaffer's tape? Fine gaffer's tape is expensive but it's well worth it. I'm a high school student that's very theatrically involved (in the technical aspect, not the actory aspect) and I don't know what I would do if gaffer's tape didn't exist. It doesn't leave residue. It doesn't crap up cables. It comes off easily but only when you want it to. It comes in black. It's made of cloth so it's not shiny. It rips easier. Geez, I could go on and on, and sorry for doing that, but I had to defend gaffer's tape because it's a lifesaver to me and any other "techie" and if anyone tells you that gaffer's tape is bad, it's because they don't know how to use it or don't use it enough.

Sorry for rambling.
-Alok

Duct Tape > Gaffer's Tape

Reason #1
Reason #2
Reason #3

Now, where are all your fan sites for Gaffer's Tape?

:D

Gaffer's tape is like a mac... Duct tape is like a PC....

Duct Tape: Cheap, Leaves crap everywhere, Hard to take apart, don't last...

Gaffers Tape: Expensive, No residue, Rips easy, withstands UV Rays.

"Gaffer's tape is often called gaffer tape or gaffers tape. It is similar to duct tape except it does not leave a residue when it is removed._ Gaffers tape is a cloth tape that can be easily torn by hand. It tolerates UV rays which makes it suitable for outdoor use._ Gaffer tape is often used in the entertainment industry to hold up props and to tape wires out of the way."

That's a quote from http://www.tape-and-tape-dispenser-g...ffers_Tape.htm

Want some more pro-gaffers-tape sites?

http://observers.org/tac.mailing.lis...June/0865.html

http://observers.org/tac.mailing.lis.../Jun/0500.html

And I'm sure theres more but I'm tired of searching for em.

To sum up, Macs are better.

Gaffer tape is strictly intended for temporary, high-strength use. It WILL leave a mess of residue and crumble into powder after years exposed to the air.

Actually, any duct tape (originally designed for sealing air duct seams in heating/ac) will stay pliable far longer, but will leave sticky residue sooner.

There's also a huge quality/price difference between hardware store "duck tape" and heating contractor grade "duct" tape. Real duct tape lasts for decades.

Okay, I'll agree with that. Truce.

No good for immobilizing my kidnapees then. I'll stick with ducT tape.

This gets my nomination for the best de-lurk of the month!

Welcome, alokw.

Breen

When I was involved in motorsport it was known as Race Tape. Great for mending those items suffering event-related damage - even drivers. Almost every rally car carried a roll.

There used to be a great ad featuring either a GT-40 or a TransAm pounding round Daytona with most of its front held together with Race Tape.

Flat tire repair
 

Last year before I moved 50 miles closer to work I ran over something that poked a BIG hole in a tire. Sure I had my air tank with me but air seemed to be going out faster than in.

So I folded some duct tape sticky side out and poked it in the hole with a screwdriver. It held till I got home and had it plugged. The *brand name* plug only held for 6 miles and I had to plug it with duct tape again.

ps I've been using the silver stuff for gaffers tape since the 60's. The good stuff doesn't leave much residue.

You can't rock without Gaffa
 

As an ex muso/roadie etc, I just have one thing to say.

You can't rock without Gaffa [note correct spelling :-)].

When out shopping for the essentials for a tour, Gaffa tape comes really high on the list, along with batteries for your mini-maglight and foot-pedals.

Re: You can't rock without Gaffa
 

My GOD - someone actually used their FIRST POST to respond to this! I'm honoured!

Tell me you didn't sign up for this, though?

Welcome, welcome!

Of Course I Did
 

I already know everything about my iMac, so this was the one post where I could contribute something extra ;-)

Oh dear, I think my tongue has got stuck in my cheek somewhere.

Dr Madvibe

I wish there was a savvy roadie in the crew at MacWorld 2004. Watching Steve Jobs pulling his socks up all the time during the keynote was really distracting.

I've seen roadies dash onstage when a string breaks during a guitar solo and hand the guitarist another guitar. I was hoping that during the keynote somebody would run out and gaffa tape up Steve's socks. :-)

ouch
 

Just think about when he has to take it off again though :-)

Perhaps Steve can get Jonathan Ive to design some iSocks.:p

oh yes - the iSocks. Throw some of THOSE into the iLife deal, and you'd be on a real winner :)

As one who was into making movies in college (video now) I can tell you that I used both. Just as I am cross-platform in my computers, so I am with my tape.

Gaffa is great for many things as stated in earlier posts, but Duct is great where you need quite a bit on the cheap. I especially find it useful for... well... central heating ducts.

However, my favorite tape is that stuff that is like thin aluminum. When I want to direct light in a particular direction, I use it to make a snoot or quick top hat.

Great poll. :D Duct tape is the first thing I pack before heading to a gig, it's been used for everything from covering cable on the ground to patching a busted bass drum skin.

I swear by this stuff, it's saved my rump on many occasions.

Another score for Duct Tape
 

Heres another site for duct tape! Pretty cool stuff! :D

I think this is the oldest poll I've ever seen resurrected... Even though I didn't know the name of it, we used Gaffa on a production I did in high school, it's good tape for things like that.

Of course, anyone who's seen the Red Green Show knows that duct tape is the "handymans secret weapon", and can be used to make just about anything...