What kind of tape to use for the strips?

[tkrivosh]

Hello,

we need to lay-out some sabre strips on a standard gym wooden floor for a tournament.
Two of the biggest requirements are: no damage or residue on the floor, and durability.
Any advice? It would be very much appreciated.
Thank you,

Nellya Fencers
info@nellyafencers.com

[fencinman89]

At big meets we use Gaffers tape, but im not sure about the whole "no damage part."
-Tre'

[KD5MDK]

Painter's tape, or its weaker friend masking tape. Good luck combining the two requirements.

[tkrivosh]

Originally Posted by fencinman89

At big meets we use Gaffers tape, but im not sure about the whole "no damage part."
-Tre'

Pardon my ignorance, but what is "Gaffers" tape? A Brand? Where do I buy it? Oh well, I really should just google it...

[DHCJr]

Gaffers tape is a type of tape like Duct tape is. Gaffers tape is used by Gaffers, who are those who have to tape down wires and such in the movies. It is designed to hold, but be able to take up with no residue and no damage. Remember, sometime a movie or television show uses real places that were not made specifically for the movies. They need to go in, do their thing, get out and leave everything as it is.

Permacell is probably the brand used most, but there are others. You can find suppliers on line by putting in Gaffer Tape (2", 3") or Camera Tape (3/4" 1") Camera tape is good as tip tape.

[CvilleFencer]

As DHCjr has said gaffer tape is about the best thing you can use. It also comes in a bewildering array of colors. Painter masking tape works very well also, but be aware there are differant levels of it. Sounds like you would want the purple easy release style which is very safe and will not damage most things. If youa re using it on a gym floor use gaffers tape or the purple painters tape otherwise you will leave lines on the floor where the tape has taken the shiny off when it gets pulled up. It does not actually damage anything, but the janitors/gym coachs may complain.

[Frank Pratt]

We have always used the blue Scotch "14 Day Clean Removal" painters tape other have mentioned. Lowes and Home Depot always have it in stock in the paint section. Only complaint is that it's not very durable; the en garde lines and center line get really chewed up after two medium-sized (15-20 fencer) events. We just marked these lines on the outside of the strip at our last event to alleviate this problem, but it's really best to have the lines on the strip itself. We don't host big events, so it's not a big deal for us. Since you guys are only dong one event, this stuff should work fine. Any strips that are going to get more trampled than this, though, should probably be made of gaffer's tape.

[tkrivosh]

Thanks everybody,
it has been very informative. Very very much appreciated

[brtech]

Most folks who own said gym floors want you to use floor tape. It is designed to go on gym floors and come up without problems. It's most often yellow, kind of stretchy, and is available from gym supply companies.

Brian