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Topic: Tape to use to hold down film leaders

Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted June 29, 2016 08:52 AM

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I'm seeking some of the fairly thick tape tape that people in the USA commonly use to tape down leader. It's reusable and doesn't leave sticky deposits. I don't want to continue resorting to using masking tape, etc.

I have NEVER seen any film/supplies dealer in the UK offer this tape! Can anyone in the UK recommend a specific type and a UK source, or perhaps a source in Europe?

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Adrian Winchester

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Michael Lattavo
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 160
From: Canton, OH, USA
Registered: May 2014

posted June 29, 2016 10:22 AM

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I use white medical tape.

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Maurice Leakey
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From: Bristol. United Kingdom
Registered: Oct 2007

posted June 29, 2016 10:32 AM

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Urbanski Film offer 1/2" PAPER TAPE. White. "Great for film ends, does not leave a sticky residue under repeated use. Good to write on for titles on film or cans." $5.40 per roll.
http://www.urbanskifilm.com/supplies.html

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Maurice

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Adrian Winchester
Film God

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From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted June 29, 2016 03:25 PM

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Thanks, Maurice. Sounds good, but the trouble is that Urbanski have a minimum international order of $40. The last time I ordered from them, I invited a couple of friends to contribute to the order, and then I got stuck with the customs bill when it arrived!

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Adrian Winchester

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

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From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted June 29, 2016 05:24 PM

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Adrian, if this is for 16mm film try using Scotch "Magic" tape.

I used to use this stuff in a laboratory environment (non film related) and its perfect for having just enough tack to stick whatever you're wanting it to stick whilst not leaving a trace of any sticky residue (very easily removed).

Your film will show no signs of ever being stuck down using a sticky gum like substance.

For 8mm,personally, I don't believe you can beat plastic "Bonum" style film clips, but for everything else, why not try this?

I doubt you'd be disappointed.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Joe Caruso
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From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted June 29, 2016 06:42 PM

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Michael is correct, white tape is always found on 8mm prints, when I used to get them from Blackhawk, then later Castle used masking - Shorty

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

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From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted June 29, 2016 07:27 PM

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That's because people have stuck them down using masking tape..Doh!!

I've even seen moronic idiots post films out joined with metal staples!!

Go figure?

If they ever thought for one minute that these would sabotage my projectors, they were sadly mistaken!

Every print gets proof checked and cleaned on the rewind arms and eventually the editor before then being first projected!! [Wink]

[Wink]

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Buck Bito
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From: San Francisco, CA, USA
Registered: Aug 2011

posted June 29, 2016 08:45 PM

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At least here in the U.S., Permacel P-724 was widely used as both hold-down and console tape (for marking settings on pro audio mixers/consoles). Shurtape bought Permacel several years ago and the replacement part for P-724 was/is FP227. I would suspect that it is available in the U.K. but you may also want to try lighting and grip supplies or pro audio suppliers for local options. We are able to get 6mm/quarter-inch wide paper tape from our local production expendables shop: http://www.jcxex.com/exp_gaffer_camera_tape.htm
We use 1/4 inch for 8 and 9.5mm and 3/8 inch for 16 and 17.5mm

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movettefilm.com

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Maurice Leakey
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From: Bristol. United Kingdom
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posted June 30, 2016 02:08 AM

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Perhaps this may be suitable.
http://www.gaffatape.com/proffesional-grade-matt-gaffer-tape/Default.aspx

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Maurice

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Kevin Clark
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 978
From: Bapchild, Kent, UK
Registered: May 2004

posted June 30, 2016 02:49 AM

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I use Frogtape to tape down film ends on my spools.

It comes in two types - multi-surface green coloured tape, and low-tack yellow coloured tape.

If you're very 'picky about the sticky' go for the yellow low tack version.

About £7 per 50 metre roll from B&Q etc.

Kevin

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

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From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted June 30, 2016 04:14 AM

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Is it not still stickier than "Magic" tape though Kevin?
Honestly, this stuff really is magic. It can be reused over again and as said, no sticky residue of any kind. [Wink]

[Wink]

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Brian Fretwell
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From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2014

posted June 30, 2016 04:19 AM

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I remember when I looked after computer magnetic 1/2" tape new ones came with a very flexible 1/4" plastic strip that held the end down , I suspect, with static - no adhesive. I wonder if that is available.

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Kevin Clark
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 978
From: Bapchild, Kent, UK
Registered: May 2004

posted June 30, 2016 04:35 AM

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Hello Andrew

I will try some Magic Tape as that sounds good too.

I found that Frogtape differs from the usual masking tape by accident - I had masked off a number of walls in my house then was not able to complete the painting whilst unwell - the yellow low-tack Frogtape was on the wall edges for a couple of months but still peeled off OK with no sticky mess or pulled off paint.

I then started to use it on film ends with no problems - I don't have an example of a 'many years in the can' print but one I taped up a couple of years ago and watched recently was easy to unstick with no mess left behind.

Long postman parcel type rubber bands can also be used too stretched around the entire film rim so no need for tape of any kind.

Kevin

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Adrian Winchester
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From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted June 30, 2016 05:45 AM

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Thanks for all the tips. This has been educational as I'm now aware of types of tape that I'd never heard of! Magic tape is economical and available in suitable widths. Andrew confirms it works perfectly, although it's probably thinner than what I was looking for and I'd ideally like a contrasting colour rather than transparent. But it's also good for writing on and I may get some for other uses! I was picturing the relatively thick paper-type tape about 10-12mm wide that some USA collectors use, which is very easy to get hold when you're removing it. I suspect the frog tape Kevin mentions is very similar, although (unless Kevin advises otherwise) the rolls all seem wider than 16mm, so you need to cut each piece in half? I've found some permacel tapes on Amazon and some are also wider than 16mm, although the flourescent cloth type (also mentioned by Buck) is 12mm and no doubt easy to spot in a darkened rooom! Available here: https://w ww.amazon.co.uk/ProTapes-Permacel-12mmx25-Fluorescent-Gaffer/dp/B00CYDP5K6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1467281680&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=Permacel+P-724+tape

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Adrian Winchester

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

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From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted June 30, 2016 09:33 AM

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Let's face it, ultimately it is just a UK regular supplier of film clips that we really need.
It's just really a case of sourcing a local UK firm with 3D kit that would manufacture small batches of each of the sizes required. Then just send a sample to them of the ones you prefer...in my case the 4 claw Bonum variety.

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Buck Bito
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From: San Francisco, CA, USA
Registered: Aug 2011

posted June 30, 2016 02:56 PM

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@Adrian,
I would stay away from the cloth tape you linked to on UK Amazon. I don't know of a cloth tape manufactured with the right type of adhesive to avoid a mess. Permacel was a company that manufactured many types of tape, but it was specifically the paper P-724 that was designed for clean removal and used for consoles or film/tape hold-down.

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movettefilm.com

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David Michael Leugers
Master Film Handler

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From: Fairfield, OH, USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted July 01, 2016 10:45 PM

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Identitape 1/4 inch tapes for 8mm films, 1/2 inch tapes for 16mm films. Great stuff, way better than paper tape.

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Live Free or Die

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Maurice Leakey
Film God

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From: Bristol. United Kingdom
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posted July 02, 2016 05:09 AM

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Used David's link to obtain a seller in the UK. Here it is.
https://www.fancy-tapes.co.uk/gaffer-tape

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Maurice

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Douglas Warren
Master Film Handler

Posts: 282
From: West Chester, OH, USA
Registered: Feb 2008

posted July 03, 2016 04:47 PM

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I use 6mm Tamiya Hobby Masking Tape. It's thin and works well on both 8 / Super-8 films and 16 mm ones as well:

https://www.amazon.com/TAMIYA-Masking-Tape-2pcs-Refill/dp/B00J3TLZQC

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Turn out the lights,the movie is starting!

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Lynn Emerich
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From: Bernville, PA, USA
Registered: Jul 2016

posted August 01, 2016 05:40 PM

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Hi folks, I just found this place so this is my first post. Just to clarify the original question, the tape you're talking about is to secure the full reel from unwinding, is this correct. I read the original post too fast and thought it was splicing tape you were talking about.

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Lynn

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

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From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted August 01, 2016 06:16 PM

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Welcome Lynn from Pennsylvania, the best way to secure the LEAD ends of any film is by using plastic film clips, NOT sticky adhesive tape..EVER, no matter what the film, no matter what the gauge...period!

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Adrian Winchester
Film God

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From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted August 01, 2016 07:06 PM

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Lynn - welcome! Yes, that's correct, I wasn't referring to splicing tape; I meant the sort of tape I commonly see holding down the leaders of 16mm films on reels or cores, particularly when sent from the USA.

One thing I can say with certainty is that collectors in the USA are at an advantage when it comes to choice because some of the ones that have been mentioned are simply not available from UK suppliers, at least in a width such as 12mm.

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Adrian Winchester

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Andrew Woodcock
Film God

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From: Manchester Uk
Registered: Aug 2012

posted August 01, 2016 07:27 PM

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Tape is tape Adrian. Adhesive that quite frankly, apart from a perfectly joined splice, should not go anywhere near a film!!

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"C'mon Baggy..Get with the beat"

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Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted August 02, 2016 12:33 AM

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Andrew - I think we will have to agree to disagree, and I suspect you'll find it's a losing battle trying to persuade all tape users here to stop using it! In over 30 years of collecting 16mm films, I've never had a problem caused by tape having been used on a leader, but I have had problems resulting from films, particularly on full spools, becoming somewhat unspooled. I'd happily use 8mm style clips on 16mm films, but although one or two suppliers have offered them, the prices are so high that it would cost me a fortune to buy them in bulk!

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Adrian Winchester

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Tom Photiou
Film God

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From: Plymouth U.K
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posted August 02, 2016 01:41 AM

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Have to say for 8mm i usually just store the film in its box with the leader loose,its never been a problem. If its a full spool we have enough plastic stoppers. If i sell a film and post it i do use a slither of masking tape just to stop it flapping about inside the box.
For our few 16mm film they all simply sit in the can.as long as there not rewound loose it shouldnt be a problem. I store the 16s flat. I definatley see the point of tape residue but when i cut the masking tape i cut it into a strip and is ends up being half inch long and no more than 2 or 3mm wide.that should be more than big enough. If you buy cheap masking tape you will have sticky residue. I work in the motor trade and the masking tape our bodyshop shop uses leaves no residue. Don't buy cheap trash from a DIY store. I made that mistake once. [Wink]

[Wink]

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