Who Makes The "Best" Duct Tape?

[L5wolvesf]

Like the title says . . . Who Makes The "Best" Duct Tape?

I searched and got way too many possible threads.

I'm using the term "Duct Tape" as it is a common term, but my usage will not be on any ducts at this point. I/we used to refer to it as 200MPH tape too.

I don't recall the brand I got at the track back in the day. It seems like Gorilla brand may be the go to brand now.

Thank you in advance.

 

[pattenp]

I was thinking Gorilla tape. That's what I use and like it.

 

[electroman187]

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'm not going to say which is better but I think the phrase, "you get what you pay for" holds true for duct tape.

 

[Barnabas]

"Best" depends on what you plan to do with it.

I haven't bought duct tape in 40 years. In the technical theater industry we use gaff tape. It is similar to duct tape, except it sticks better and does not leave a sticky residue when you remove it. It comes in various widths and colors. Black and gray are the most popular. It costs about $20 a roll for the usual size of a roll of duct tape. I buy it in a case of 24 for about $12 a roll. There are name brands and cheap stuff that is not as good.

 

[couch67]

I've bought different brands but I think this has been the best so far:

https://www.leevalley.com/en-us/shop/tools/supplies/adhesives/tape/56121-heavy-duty-duct-tape

Not cheap but I don't go through a ton of it, and it doesn't seem to dry out like the cheap stuff.

They also have gaffers tape but I've never used it.

 

[Farmall450]

I think Trex makes the best tape (not just duct) for the money that I've found. Packing included.

 

[johninct]

Somebody gave me cheap duct tape and I could not rip it cleanly.

 

[qdvuu]

Pro Gaff Gaffer's Tape

Awesome stuff! It doesn't leave sticky residue.

 

[MrSurly]

Who Makes The "Best" Duct Tape?

The brand that I’ve always considered to be the “real duct tape” is Nashua.

And I think it still represents the top end of the original type duct tape.
With that stated, tho, I’m aware that there are many better tapes in the market now and some are crazy expensive... but many are specialized and very capable.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[4xdog]

I'm with the gaffer tape crowd. It's all I use for things that matter now.

Duct tape is for short term, throwaway projects.

 

[xjfish]

Gorilla Tape. Usually black or white color. I'm done with the cheapo stuff.

 

[Git]

How much do you want to spend per roll?

I picked up some '3M Performance Plus Duct Tape (8979n) from Amazon Warehouse for $12. Normal price is around $30 per roll

 

[4xdog]

Speaking of mil-spec, I got a roll of red and a roll of white “duct” tape that was being researched as part of some DoD contract at the research institute where I started my career. No makers name on the core. Got these prior to scrapping almost 40 years ago.

The stuff is still good. No complaints about that at all.

I’d trust a 3M premium tape for sure.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

The all knowing speaks on this very topic.

 

[Honda guy]

Gorilla

 

[doge]

Stucco tape

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Lynden]

I like Nashua 357 duct tape

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Nashua-...357-Ultra-Premium-Duct-Tape-1198683/204074417

and Polyken gaffers tape.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Polyken...ape}:nr+nf:{1}:nf+qu:{polyken+gaffer+tape}:qu

 

[JAYoung]

Nashua 357 is the best I've found.
But when I was in New England I was forever on the search for the elusive "EB Green," a mil-spec tape used at Electric Boat to tape nuclear submarines together. Never found it.

 

[paredown]

If you are actually taping metal ducts, the stuff to use is the adhesive backed aluminum foil tape. This is the 3M brand (I haven't used but I'm assuming is good):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DY9IXFI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[L5wolvesf]

Good input guys - thank you. I thought 'gaffer's' tape was just duct tape at least that is what it seemed like when I briefly worked around Hollywood.

I recognize Nashua as what I had used long ago. My usage is just general purpose. The youtube vid was interesting so I ordered a roll of the T-Rex.

 

[CraigStu]

I started using Gorilla maybe 7 years ago. I am very impressed w/ it. I used to cover our boat on the trailer w/ a 20x30 heavy duty plastic tarp. I would put overlapping folds in the tarp as I tied it down so it conformed to the shape better. I would then seal the folds w/ the 4 inch wide Gorilla tape. That stuff was always there still doing it's job after 5 months of winter. Per this thread there are apparently other good tapes as well but I can walk into nearly any hardware store and buy Gorilla.

 

[Lynden]

Good input guys - thank you. I thought 'gaffer's' tape was just duct tape at least that is what it seemed like when I briefly worked around Hollywood.

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=duct+tape+vs+gaffers+tape&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[LS6 Tommy]

"Best" depends on what you plan to do with it.

I haven't bought duct tape in 40 years. In the technical theater industry we use gaff tape. It is similar to duct tape, except it sticks better and does not leave a sticky residue when you remove it. It comes in various widths and colors. Black and gray are the most popular. It costs about $20 a roll for the usual size of a roll of duct tape. I buy it in a case of 24 for about $12 a roll. There are name brands and cheap stuff that is not as good.

Gaffer's tape is fantastic. I'm just too cheap to use it for what I normally use duct tape for.

When it comes to duct tape, for me it's all about intended use. In terms of quality and strength, compare how many treads there are in the cloth reinforcement. More is stronger. Less tears easier by hand so it's good for doing a lot of strips quickly.

Tommy

 

[bwringer]

Gorilla or T-rex tapes are both excellent and available pretty much everywhere with reasonable pricing.

Several possibly stickier options have been mentioned, but they're more expensive and harder to find.

There's a lot to be said for "off the shelf"...

 

[Dumber than lumber]

How much do you want to spend per roll?

I picked up some '3M Performance Plus Duct Tape (8979n) from Amazon Warehouse for $12. Normal price is around $30 per roll

3M is the first place I would look if I needed high quality.
Cry once, buy once - so to speak; I mean tape is a consumable.