From: Richard Knoppow (dickburk@ix.netcom.com)
Date: 02/10/01-12:48:43 AM Z
At 01:14 AM 02/10/2001 -0500, you wrote:
>
>
>On Sat, 10 Feb 2001, Sandy King wrote:
>
>>
>> What is Gaffer's tape? Is this a brand or generic name. I have seen this
>> tape recommended for a number of things, including the end flaps on film
>> holders, but it does not appear to be sold anywhere near where I shop.
>
>Senior moment: I meant duct tape. Gaffer's tape is heavier & more
>expensive, also less sticky, term from the photog's assistant (gaffer, I
>believe) who used it to tape down cables and such at a shoot. So it's
>STRONG, but as noted less sticky because it has to come off. Duct tape is
>supposed to NEVER come off, and so sticky it's used by criminals to
>immobilize crime victims.
>
>Judy
>
Gaffer tape was originally developed for use in the motion picture
industry for temporary mounting of objects, such as light brackets, to
walls, etc., without damaging what they were stuck to. The tape is a fabric
tape which tears easily across the narrow direction but with great
difficulty the long way. It is not stretchy. The adhesive is strong but
readilly removable and doesn't migrate or get gummy.
Duct tape is tape intended for wrapping insulation on pipes, hense the
name. It is a plastic tape reinforced by a layer of cheese-cloth like
material. It is stretchy, the adhesive is very gooey, and migrates all over
the place. Don't use duct tape anywhere where you ever want to get off
again. It is often used as a cheap substitute for gaffer tape, or by those
who don't know the difference.
FWIW a gaffer is the chief electrician on a movie set. I have no idea of
the origination of the term, its been around since the silent days.
---- Richard Knoppow Los Angeles,Ca. dickburk@ix.netcom.com
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