Blue tape width

[duchanl]

I am trying to find a wider width blue tape, just so I don't have to put multiple strips down. I haven't had much luck.

Has anyone else find them?

If you did, what widths did it come in?

What widths would be useful for everyday use?

[GOC]

I find it cheaper per square inch to buy the 3in rolls, but 6in wide rolls are available.

[-willy-]

Something to point out. Masking tape out gasses. Locals around these parts recomended that I store tape in a plastic zip loc bag and away from sunlight. I have masking tape for automotive at 2 inches wide that still works perfectly. I use it when I do machine work and dont want the jaws damaging the work surface.

[GOC]

- It depends on how fast you go through it, if your tape rolls last you longer than a month then sealing them after use is good practice. Otherwise there isn't enough time for the tape to degrade in the open air. I go through 1-2 rolls a month, so sealing them isn't necessary.

- I found regular masking tape not to be as effective as painter's tape, is the automotive masking tape similar to painter's tape? Would you have a link to some?

[curious aardvark]

here's a question. I currently use 1 inch tape. On the grounds that it's easier to repair holes. Plus the bed is 6 inches wide.

But does the wider 3 or 6 inch tape give you better adhesion to the bed ? Ie: stop the print warping more than it does with the narrow stuff ?

[Davo]

What are you folks printing in, that you need the tape? I print PLA right on the glass at 40C.

[jimc]

Automotive tape is painters tape but the adhesive is a touch stronger plus its solvent base adhesive not latex. The tape resists solvent based paints. Nit that i use tape often for printing but when i do it is automotive grade tape. The tape you want is 3m 233+. Its green. 3m also has their mid grade automotive refinish tape which is bright yellow.

[curious aardvark]

don't have a thick glass bed. I get free (well I give them telephone and teamviewer support and they give me aluminium) aluminium plates, so not bothered with spending money on thick glass.

Hence the need for some tape :-)

[GOC]

...does the wider 3 or 6 inch tape give you better adhesion to the bed ?...

- I found that the wider the better, not only for adhesion but its also easier to apply. If properly applied (using a credit card or something similar to firmly adhere it to the bed) any size tape works.

What are you folks printing in, that you need the tape? I print PLA right on the glass at 40C.

- Its true you can print directly on the bed, but I found it was extremely difficult to remove the parts sometimes. I find it much easier to just peal the tape & part off as one; then I peal back the tape off the part. I print a lot of parts all day every day, so even though its not very cost effective I find it a much faster process for getting the next part started.

...
The tape you want is 3m 233+. Its green.
...

- Thanks for the tip. The cost is a little over double in comparison to the standard blue, but if the adhesion is better it might pay to use this with my more troublesome filaments.

[duchanl]

Thank you for all the feedback.
I did find a 6" width tape supplier. It should be delivered on Friday. After I run some prints, I will report.