Favourite Electrical tape?

[garfunkle24]

The thread about wrapping tool handles got me thinking:

What is your favourite electrical tape, and why?

Of course for many jobs there are better alternatives such as shielded connectors, heat-shrink tubing etc, but as we all know, there is still a need for tape sometimes.

My favourite is the 3M, but if you guys have good experiences with others, I'd be happy to try some alternatives. The 3M seems to stick to itself better than most.

Also, any good tips on using electrical tape?

Here's one to start: If I am forced to use tape because I don't want to break into a harness (or more commonly, because I forgot to slide heat-shrink on the wire before soldering) I take my soldering iron and very quickly "melt" the end of the wrap to stop it coming unravelled.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

ehh. to me they are pretty much all same.

 

[garfunkle24]

ehh. to me they are pretty much all same.

Not to me they're not. I hate crappy electrical tape. If you have to tape 2 wires the first one is unwrapping while you're doing the second one..

 

[Diablo]

Im an electrician by trade and the best i have seen is the 3M Super 88, i use it for splicing and anything in cold weather. For general use i stick with the 3M 33+ i think it is. i try and stay away from the cheap stuff its just not worth the hassle.

 

[-B-]

3m 33 and 88 I use more than my fair share of tape in a year wrapping handle bars and 3m is the best, I wish the 1" was more available.

Cold shrink is great but it does not work well for finishing of bikes they guys do not like it. BTW any one find it in retail stores besides specially ones.

 

[chad s]

3M 33 and 88 for me too. Its all I use, and I use it every day. When you use it daily, a good tape is a must, the cheap junk is a frustrating waste of time. I buy it in 10 or 12 packs (cant remember exactly which). Buying it one roll at a time at Home Depot is very pricey, but unlike cheap tape, 3m 33/88 can sit for a very long time unused and not get gooey/sticky/dry, etc.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I like black electrical tape..

 

[1320stang]

It wasn't electrical tape, but my dad used to get these 3" wide rolls of this white tape that was like electrical tape in the fact that it didn't have any threads in it like duct tape. This stuff was STICKY!! It would stick to ice during the winter.

 

[garfunkle24]

Thanks for the input guys. I had to look up the differences in the 3M tapes on their website, so I'll save others the trouble:

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/3MElectrical/Home/ProductsServices/Products/?PC_7_RJH9U5230GE3E02LECIE20OES1_nid=KHFPXNN4FVbe2R3TDRZMR3gl

Scotch® Super 33+™ Vinyl Electrical Tape is a black, 7 mil premium grade all-weather vinyl electrical insulating tape with an aggressive adhesive and elastic backing that enables it to easily conform to irregular surfaces for water-resistant electrical and mechanical protection.

Scotch® Heavy Duty Vinyl Insulation Tape 22 is a black, 10 mil tape that is one of 3M`s thickest vinyl electrical tapes. It seals in all kinds of weather and provides moisture-tight electrical and mechanical protection with fewer wraps than thinner tapes.

Scotch® Premium Vinyl Electrical Tape Super 88 is a black, 8.5 mil heavy duty, premium grade all-weather vinyl electrical insulating tape that maintains conformability for cold weather applications.

I think it must be the 33 that I use.

 

[sberry]

One thing is that when you dont want it to unravel is to cut it with scissors or a knife, dont stretch and break it. I keep a couple rolls of premium around but buy 3 or 4 sleeves of cheap stuff at the box store, not every job needs the best and here rolls get kicked around or for general use or quick fixes.

 

[nate379]

I bought a roll or two of 3M a while back because I ran out and it was the only thing the store had. It worked just the same as the cheaper "contractor grade" stuff I buy in 20 roll tubes for $10

ehh. to me they are pretty much all same.

 

[Bolster]

I agree, cheap electrical tape is not worth the hassle.

However if you are wrapping tools, take a good hard look at the handlebar tapes used on bicycles. Our fellow member -B- should have good advice for you here.

EDIT: Oops, I'm off topic, I guess you have already discussed tool handle wrapping elsewhere. I missed that thread, can you give me a link?

 

[-B-]

I use a lot of 3m35 too there is another color coding tape too but it is almost twice as expensive.

The best place I have found to buy tap is at the electronics store if a buy 12 it is $.89 a roll if i buy 24 it goes down to $.79 the last break is at $.69.



BTW there are several differing styles of bike tape out there now need tips shoot me a PM or start a subject and let me know will give brands to look for.

 

[walrus]

I bought a roll or two of 3M a while back because I ran out and it was the only thing the store had. It worked just the same as the cheaper "contractor grade" stuff I buy in 20 roll tubes for $10

33+ will stick when its cold out, cheap stuff won't. I use cheap stuff for pulling wires other than that 33+ is where its at. I use 3m 1700 for coding wiring

 

[Stick Figure]

i usually buy a roll of 3m for the important stuff like actual wire connections, the cheap **** i use to re wrap loom or wires. Saves me a bit of money now that i don't have all the same discounts i once did for the expensive stuff.

 

[nate379]

I never tested that but I know that the cheap stuff doesn't work well when cold. I didn't know it was JUST the cheap stuff that did that though.

I don't use tape in the cold often, but if I do, I end up keeping the roll in my pants pocket, or put it in the dash of the truck.

33+ will stick when its cold out, cheap stuff won't. I use cheap stuff for pulling wires other than that 33+ is where its at. I use 3m 1700 for coding wiring

 

[toolnut]

3M 33 for inside use and 3M 88 for outdoor stuff and the 3M colored tape for marking stuff. The cheap stuff for anyone I don't like.

 

[3liter914-6]

BTW any one find it in retail stores besides specially ones.

If you're not an anti-WalMart zealot, they have it (Super 33+) in the automotive wiring section (or maybe the paint section).

 

[Elroy]

3M is the leader but they have competition:

http://www.plymouthrubber.com/index.htm

CED is our local electrical house and they carry both brands. Simply posted to show the alternatives available

 

[garfunkle24]

3M is the leader but they have competition:

http://www.plymouthrubber.com/index.htm

CED is our local electrical house and they carry both brands. Simply posted to show the alternatives available

Well now you've gone and done it Elroy! There I was in my happy little 3M world, thinking i'd already tried and was using the best option.....

 

[-B-]

If you're not an anti-WalMart zealot, they have it (Super 33+) in the automotive wiring section (or maybe the paint section).

I was looking for cold shrink, not the 33 is easy to get now
the difficult is the 1" variant of 33

 

[Monte]

Coroplast

NA distributor: http://www.eurotech-distributors.com/

 

[nate379]

This is what I use, it's the "contractor grade"...

http://www.weisd.com/store2/MMM1700 TEMFLEX.html

The 3m 33 is about $4 a roll.

 

[fatfillup]

3m 33+ for everything. Doesn't get goey, sticks well, can be pulled off without a mess, stretches well, pleasure to use compared to the cheap stuff. And this coming from a guy who will definitely pinch a penny to the point of making copper wire!!!!!!!

B, you got me wondering, do you buy the 3m tape for $.79 a roll. Best price I've found is about $3. If so what is the name of your supplier?

 

[bmwpower]

What is/was the name of that gray electrical tape? It had a funny name, but it's pretty good stuff. Nice metal blue annd white and gray metal container.

 

[caper]

We have some stuff at work from 3m,unsure of the number,but it's more rubbery than most tapes I've used.It's fairly thick and sticks to itself like sh*t to a woolen blanket.It's basically waterproof when used right.I'll see what number it has on it tommorow.

 

[WVU Tuba Dale]

We get stuff at work that has a bunch of MSHA safety codes on it for the coal mines I presume. Works great.

 

[bmwpower]

What is/was the name of that gray electrical tape? It had a funny name, but it's pretty good stuff. Nice metal blue annd white and gray metal container.

Remebered it...

Slipknot

 

[Danglerb]

I have some, but haven't tried the new silicone self fusing tape. You need to stretch it something like 50% as it goes on, and fuses the layers without adhesive. Also called Extreme tape (HF $5/10 ft), but I think 3M makes it. Makes a weather tight seal.