Anyone know definitively, what the best brand of duck tape is?

Here's how i heard it orginally got the name:

"Is it Duct or Duck? We don’t want you to be confused, so we will explain. The first name for Duct Tape was DUCK. During World War II the U.S. Military needed a waterproof tape to keep the moisture out of ammunition cases. So, they enlisted the Johnson and Johnson Permacel Division to manufacture the tape. Because it was waterproof, everyone referred to it as “duck” tape (like water off a duck’s back). Military personnel discovered that the tape was good for lots more than keeping out water. They used it for Jeep repair, fixing stuff on their guns, strapping equipment to their clothing... the list is endless.

After the War, the housing industry was booming and someone discovered that the tape was great for joining the heating and air conditioning duct work. So, the color was changed from army green to the silvery color we are familiar with today and people started to refer to it as “duct tape*.” Therefore, either name is appropriate".

I've concluded it's Gorrilla brand. Thanks guys.

cliff
 
The 100MPH tape is tough alright, but I have a really hard time getting it to stick to most surfaces. Many cheaper brands seem to have better glue, especially in cold weather. One thing I like about the 100 mph tape is that it doesn't leave nasty gu behind like many others when you peel it up, or it wears off, but that might just be the problem with not sticking too well.

Will
 
Help out Gene Wards widow and try their Gaffers tape. http://www.survivalandoutdoorsafety.com/tape.htm

tapenl2.JPG
 
I haven't tried every brand of tape, so I can't supply an authoritative answer.

However I used to do the purchasing for a large factory, and during this time I was introduced to 3M products. They have never disappointed me. We used to buy heaps of adhesive tape.

If I had to pick a reliable brand, it would be 3M.

I am sure other brands will do what you want though.
 
I tried the 100 mile per hour tape but couldn,t unroll it at 100 miles an hour .
Should I ask for my money back ? L:O:L
 
The best I have found is Nashua 398.

Stick a$$ed stuff, sticks over a decent amount of dirt, and if yo udon't watch out, you will be flinging your fingers like a stubborn booger is on them to get it off of you....

(and, Lowe's carries it...)

I use it regularly to tape down extension cords at shows along the floor, and have never had it pull up....
 
ERdept said:
I have discovered recently that the tape orginated for the military to seal ammo cans from water, then the GI's used it to fix just about everything, albeit temporarily. Then when it was used in home construction when the war was over, it was used to seal ducts, thus the name Duct tape or orginal name Duck tape (named by the GI's) can do a lot of practical stuff.

Does anyone know what the best (in terms of performance, ie, sticking to different materials, resistance to coming off and tearing, etc) brand of tape is. I can see it as a valuable tool for survival and temporarily repairing things.

In the ER, the doctors sometimes see no need for stitches and if a wound is small will apply "Steri-strips", which are essentially small strips of tape that close the wound and fall of naturally in about 5 days. Enough for a small wound to start healing. Other uses, of course.

Thanks,
cliff
Click to expand...

There are so many different types and brands of duct tape out there that it's hard to say exactly which one is the best. Especially if you have different requirements or preferences than someone else. However, abatix has some good regular duct tape. You can get their tape in bulk sizes as well if you need that much for a company or warehouse or something. They are also priced very reasonably. Here's an example of one: ["http://www.abatix.com/default.aspx?page=item+detail&itemcode=TYC224B-EA&catlist=29" abatix duct tape Abatix Blue Tape, 2" 11mil 1 Each] I hope this helps you!
 
God dangit! I just spend ten minutes reading an enthralling topic about duct tape, from 2006!!! ARGHH!

Among the products commonly available at retail stores, Gorilla tape rocks! 3M is the standard.
And don't waste time on the stuff with the cute little picture of a duck.
 
7 year necro-post for a first post? Not a great start, but hey, Welcome! yes gorilla tape, unless you want other properties, I love pro-gaff, but its way to expensive to buy, and is only good for gaffing. buy lots, use lots. And keep your stick on the ice!
 
Most of the stuff you buy retail is plastic. The Duct tape we used when i did HVAC 30 years ago had to be purchase at a AC parts store, it was gray cloth. That tape put the plastic stuff to shame. I don't know if it is still available since I am no longer in that business.
 
Based on my limited use, when I need or want duck tape that really sticks well to many surfaces, it is Gorilla all the way. My standard use brand is 3M and I've tried the store brands and off brands and they basically suck for anything serious.

I am going to have to try the Nashua 398 tape. I did some work at one of their facilities once. Fixed their problem.

Jenfore, welcome to Blade Forums. :D I will resist the standard comment about really old threads as I found this one interesting anyway and hadn't seen it before as I recall.
 
True proper gaffers tape is designed to stick to near anything, and leave no residue or pull anything up when removed. Its main purpose is sticking down cables for movie, theater and other productions. Often a little grip is sacrificed for that, since you can generally just use more tape to get the job done. Although I've seen cheaper gaff tapes go bad and stick if it gets left for a few days sometimes. Pro-gaff is the best I ever used, cloth instead of reinforced plastic, but last I looked was something like 50$ a roll for 4inch wide.
There are lots of gaff-tapes, some are cheaper, some have specific finishes for different tasks. There are also different levels of hold, TV production stuff is insane, where as theater tape is generally used on hardwood floors, so its much less tacky. There is no one best. I've even found that batch to batch or storeage makes a difference. I've recently been using 357 at work and its not my favorite. I can't remember what I used in canada, but that stuff was better. Granted we had 4 inch rolls of that stuff, and I've only been using 3 inch 357. But as with any problem, if it still moves, more tape!
ZPSTL as far as I know HVAC all use the aluminum tape now, but that might depend on location. That stuff is all kinds of fun.
 
What a necro... Dang.


But, I'm gonna add my +1 to the Nashua stuff.

I'm a duct tape artist, and I've literally used miles and miles of duct tape in my projects. Nashua is the best. It sticks better on contact and after months of wear, it's stronger and doesn't break as easily, it tears into cleaner strips (most tapes don't want to tear length-wise into narrower tape strips for small jobs, but Nashua does it just fine.) and it comes off the roll easily.


I won't say Gorilla tape, because it kind of stands alone at a secondary top. It's leaps and bounds better in regards to toughness and stickiness, but it comes with an equally larger price, so I'm not a huge fan of it for general use. You can pick up a two pack of 60 yard rolls of Nashua general purpose stuff at Home Depot for like $8-10, or a single 45 yard roll of Gorilla tape for $8-10.
 
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Bob W said:
God dangit! I just spend ten minutes reading an enthralling topic about duct tape, from 2006!!! ARGHH!

Among the products commonly available at retail stores, Gorilla tape rocks! 3M is the standard.
And don't waste time on the stuff with the cute little picture of a duck.
Click to expand...

Hahahaha! Last week I replaced a pool liner that I had installed in 2006. The green mil-spec tape I recommended back then was used to do repairs to the pool wall back then. It was still stuck better than fine last week. While the silver cheaper 3M stuff used for sealing the wall joints had fallen off long ago. There is a long term performance test for you. Buried in a dark, moist environment for eight years, just like this thread.
 
I like necro threads! I see all the posters, and think, hey that's great, XXXXX is posting again! :D

We also called the green milspec stuff "typhoon tape" in Okinawa in the 60's. Worked great for taping up windows when a typhoon was coming.
 
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