to use tape or not to use tape

[earlinjax]

Everybody has their own ways and reasons. The lore is that using tape reduces burning when cutting. I never see much difference. I joined the packing tape crowd putting it over the pattern. Way more trouble than it was worth to me. Sawdust would get under the tape and be a royal pain in the neck regardless of how hard I pressed on the tape. Went to blue tape and glue pattern to it. Works well as long as you finish your project soon and don't leave the tape on too long. Blue tape is supposed to come off easy even up to seven days. Maybe on something painted or finished but leaving it on a while on bare wood I found it harder to get off than the pattern.

I use spray glue to adhere the pattern (Sue, always spray the pattern, NEVER the wood). I have some spirits in an old spray bottle and mist the pattern when finished. I don't wait more than a few seconds, or at least a very short time, and the pattern comes off. Remist and take off what ever is still stuck. Doesn't take but a little when you mist it.

I do use a lot of tape. I tape over weak sections to try to stave off breakage. I use tape to cut out sections in place. I find it helps give strength to the piece when cutting. And, sometimes I still put tape on before gluing the pattern. Old habits die hard.

Earl

[minowevie]

Gosh Sue, I wish I had a store like that hear. maybe a supper WallMart, I think one is comeing near me soon. and thanks. say buy the way. you said you sprayed the addhisive to the wood, mmm, was that a slip. maybe, thanks,

thank you all for the great impho. I think I better understand why you all use tape. maybe I will give it a try. but I have to say, are painters tape hear is exspencive. miniral spirits last me for many projects. and just have to give it a fair shake. and see which would be cheaper for me. what I do works great for me. but then, I am getting older now. and , dang, watch out for my heath better. I am trying to get away from airasols, so maybe I will give the glue stick or cement a try as well. it is just hard to chang something that works so well for me. for got to say, the one thing that happends to me is the dust getting under the tape as well, the couple times I have tryed it. what did I do roung there?

thanks alot. I have leared alot on this thread. your friend Evie

[Pajaro]

Super Wallmart Wooo Hooo You will love it evie.

[minowevie]

Originally Posted by earlinjax

Everybody has their own ways and reasons. The lore is that using tape reduces burning when cutting. I never see much difference. I joined the packing tape crowd putting it over the pattern. Way more trouble than it was worth to me. Sawdust would get under the tape and be a royal pain in the neck regardless of how hard I pressed on the tape. Went to blue tape and glue pattern to it. Works well as long as you finish your project soon and don't leave the tape on too long. Blue tape is supposed to come off easy even up to seven days. Maybe on something painted or finished but leaving it on a while on bare wood I found it harder to get off than the pattern.

I use spray glue to adhere the pattern (Sue, always spray the pattern, NEVER the wood). I have some spirits in an old spray bottle and mist the pattern when finished. I don't wait more than a few seconds, or at least a very short time, and the pattern comes off. Remist and take off what ever is still stuck. Doesn't take but a little when you mist it.

I do use a lot of tape. I tape over weak sections to try to stave off breakage. I use tape to cut out sections in place. I find it helps give strength to the piece when cutting. And, sometimes I still put tape on before gluing the pattern. Old habits die hard.

Earl

Earl you must have been typing the same time as me, HaHa, and that is exsackaly what I have experianced. and I also do use the tape to tape the lines I have just cut. to make the wood more stable. I also like to leave the waist wood in my project. untill I am done sanding, even after lefting the pattern off. the tape on the back helps me do this, and to flip it over, to sand. thanks for your reply. your friend Evie

[merlin7]

I just noticed the reference to dust getting under the cellophane (packing) tape. Happened to me a couple of times so now I make sure to go over it with something to insure the tape is fully pressed down. As I said before. no lines, no can cut.
Merle

[minowevie]

Originally Posted by merlin7

I just noticed the reference to dust getting under the cellophane (packing) tape. Happened to me a couple of times so now I make sure to go over it with something to insure the tape is fully pressed down. As I said before. no lines, no can cut.
Merle

Merle, thanks for replying, I did do what you said, pressing it down tight. but do you think, maybe , I didn't sand my wood good enouph? or maybe I didn't clean it off, the dust I mean, good enouph. i even used a damp rag, mmmm maybe thats not good. what did you use. I also used a shucks can't remmber, a sanding cloth. to wipe it up.

I just hate , that the tape didn't come off the small frets. and what a bother. so still , trying to figure it out. thanks your freind Evie

[Jediscroller]

As far as the effectiveness of tape preventing burning, whether it lubes the blade or through some other magic try a little experiment to see for yourself.

Take a 1/2" piece of cherry, put a piece of tape over the middle and cut through both sides of the tape in a straight line with a #3 blade. You'll see burning where there was no tape and a perfect edge where the tape was.

I use blue painter's tape on the wood, spray both it and the pattern with Duro brand adhesive and cover the whole mess with packing tape. I've never had a problem with frets breaking (and some of my patterns have bridges < 1/64") or with removing the tape. As far as sawdust getting under the packing tape, yep, it happens but the lines are merely "suggestions" anyhow. As long as I have a clue where I need to cut I don't worry all that much about being able to see every mm of the line.

[merlin7]

Yep, pretty much agree with Kevin. Having said that, I must admit that everything I know (?) I learned right here on this site. Wood sanded, purple tape, glue to the back side of pattern, cellophane or packing tape, drill holes, cut. Evie, I meant to say go over the cellophane tape with something heavy and hard. I happen to have an old iron that was used in the old days for glueing down laminate. Of course I don't heat it up, but just apply pressure and pretend I'm ironing a shirt or something.

Merle

[minowevie]

mmmmm, Kevin thanks, but dang that seams like alot of bother, and Merlin, the iron. mmmm, I guess I will just continue to spray my pattern, on the back, and glue it down tight. then I dont have to worry about the lines getting dust underneath. or the pattern coming off. and I dont have to buy that dang old tape. except to tape behind my project line.
Kevin, I will try your methad. and I will see, if I burn or not burn, on my way, I don't burn , if I keep the speed slow. but then I don't sell, and don't have to go fast. so that might be the differance. still searching, and thanks for all the imput. your friend Evie

[lucky788scroller]

Well, I guess I might as well add my pennies worth. I use the cheap dollar store packing tape (clear) directly on the wood , super 77 spray adhesive on the back of the pattern, and slap it directly on the taped surface.It stays on good for over a couple months, and holds tight, no dust gets under it, yet peels off nice and easily and cleanly after scrolling.There may be tiny amounts of sticky in a few areas along some cuts, but that little bit rubs right off with a finger, or comes off fast with a few swipes of 400 grit, which is my standard procedure prior to oiling anyways.I dont care for the mineral spirits mess any more than necessary, along with the flammability issues, so the less of that stuff I use, the better.To each their own..either you pay a dollar for a roll of tape, or a few bucks for a gallon of mineral spirits, what it amounts to is use whatever method seems to work best for you.