to use tape or not to use tape

[merlin7]

I found a wide brown tape used for taping cardboard boxes closed and use it alot. First I tape the wood, then use spray glue on the back of the pattern and after a few minutes to allow the glue to set up, I afix the patttern to the brown tape. I then use clear packing tape over everything. The pattern and brown tape come off very easy without breaking any frets even after it has been on a couple of months and I don't have to use mineral spirits ar any thing. The main reason I use the clear packing tape is because it has been recommened on this site quite often and other sites as well. But mostly I use it because without it I've had patterns get loose and come off without it.. And I ain't good enough to wing it without the pattern.

[Greenfield_Bob]

The only time I use tape is on thick wood.
I just keep a shape blade in my saw, I've been doing it that way over 20 years.

Bob

[3_M]

I believe the question should have been "Why using tape"?
Some believe that it lubricates the blade. I have a brother in-law who worked for many years for 3M in the tape division. His explanation was this.
The tape has a chemical on top, so that you can un-roll the tape from it self. This chemical is like a silicone and releases friction. This will help to eliminate burning and makes the blade just last a little longer.
Mike

[minowevie]

Originally Posted by 3_M

I believe the question should have been "Why using tape"?
Some believe that it lubricates the blade. I have a brother in-law who worked for many years for 3M in the tape division. His explanation was this.
The tape has a chemical on top, so that you can un-roll the tape from it self. This chemical is like a silicone and releases friction. This will help to eliminate burning and makes the blade just last a little longer.
Mike

well mike, thanks, but thats not good for you, huh. but big of you to post.

[Jim McDonald]

Evie
When I really got serious last fall, I was using tracing paper for everything and no tape--but I didn't try stacking until closer to Christmas. Then I tried taping the stacks, but didn't feel real secure with only tape holding 4 pieces of wood in alignment, so I went to hot glue on the stacks and tried ONCE to sp[ray glue the pattern to the wood and was not the least bit happy with the result.

Then I saw an article for the blue tape and started putting it on and gluing the pattern to the blue tape and wrapping everything in clear packing tape.
Don't know if it helped my cutting any but I've never had trouble getting the blue tape off. On some woods, it will tend to slightly raise the grain if it has been on a while, but that has never been a real problem.

For removing the pattern and tape "sandwich" I find that an index fingernail that is only slightly long will pop the edge of the tape off and then you can pull slowly from there. (That is when I don't get said index fingernail a little too close to the blade on a tight cut!)

But, this evening, I was finishing the rooster napkin holder, cutting the uprights and base and went back to the transfer paper (tracing) and was very happy with the results--no tape on 7/16" aspen and 3/4" pine. But, since this is going to be a gift, I used one blade to stack suct the uprights and a new one for the base. (I made the base larger than the article said and routed in holders for salt and pepper shakers and a bottle of hot sauce)

So, as Mike said, the common thought is that tape may just lube the blade a little, but as someone said in my blade wear post, you're going to go through X number of blades on a project, lubed or not. I even bought one of the Olson blade lube sticks which is some kind of hard brown wax, but I don't think it does much for scroll saw blades. Might be great for a bandsaw.

Didn't rally give you an answer, but just some observation from making a lot of fancy firewood.

[groverd]

I use clear packing tape when i am doing work with a lot of inside cuts, for me it makes drilling holes easier, I don't have the pattern lifiting when i do. I also use it when cutting very hard wood it seems to lubricate the blade and make it cut cleaner, i can hear the difference. with tape I have very little burning on tight corners. Doing my usual intarsia using WRC i do not use tape.

[Pajaro]

I'm a glue and spirit guy. I used blue tape on a fretwork peace once and when I tried to take the tape off, some of the frets came with it. The clear packing tape is to hard to get off the fretwork peaces also, plus it seems like the sawdust gets under it and covers of the cutting line. As far as the smell of the spirit I use the Orderless, it has a little oder but not bad. Just have to remember not to try to burn the fuzzes off to soon. YEW-OW!! But a lot of the fuzzes can be kept to a minimum when I keep sharp blades on the saw. Also I use small brads to tack the stacked parts together. Tack from the bottom of the stack so that the heads get counter sunk so as to not scratch the table top. (use a nematic brad nailer with low psi.)

[greatdane2]

I glue the pattern on and use a heat gun to get the paper off and then thinner to remove the glue. Set the piece on a dust free area.
PS. I made a hook that hangs from the ceiling to hold the heat gun. Putting it down on the counter is a bad idea. Wonder why I think that? lol.

Alan.

[Mick Walker]

Evie, I use the purple tape and as was said you can leave it on the wood for weeks and it still comes off easy. I can't notice any difference in blade life using tape or not using it. I just don't care to mess with mineral spirits, once to remove the tape and again to remove the sticky mess. I get mine at Wal*Mart at a reasonable price. I don't believe you get enough extra blade life by applying clear packing tape to the project. Just my opinion. We all have our favorite way, whichever works for you is the best way.

[jigsue]

Evie

I have been scrolling for thirty years and had not used packing tape until recently. I swear by it now! I used to use spray adhesive straight onto the wood, but even using spirit, had to sand it again to remove all of the residue. I sand my wood first and then use "masking tape - white" (you probably refer to this as painter's tape - I have never seen blue or purple stuff, here), then the sprayed pattern. If it is fiddly, I may then apply clear sellotape (packing tape?) to help the pattern adhere.

Using the masking tape has made a huge difference to me. I am on the prowl for it all of the time - just bought 4 large rolls for £1.49 ($3ish) at Lidl's or Aldi's (in UK in the past couple of years, Dutch real cheap supermarkets have appeared and they stock all sorts of odds and ends, too numerous to name. You go in for fruit and veg and come out with everything from clothing, kitchen and garden ware to power tools - you just cannot come away empty handed)

If you find that spray and spirit removal works for you, stick with it, but do try the masking tape, I think you may be pleasantly surprised.

Sue