Is there a secret to holding the tape down as you slide the reel seat over the tape. You guys just use a small amount of masking tape or is there another trick i can use.

Dave

The drywall tape I use is sticky on one side...... I get it tight, but not so tight that the reel seat or but will actually move the tape...

I cut mine in half so the strips are about 1" wide rather than 2".

I have had the same problem. The sticky stuff lets go pretty easily. I tried wrapping the tape, then tying a thread around it before applying Rodbond.
But, I don't even use the stuff anymore. It is so much easier and quicker just to use one of the various mandrels. Glue them in, then ream them out to the proper inside diameter.
Steve Broadwell

steve, i think you mean arbors, right? when i use mesh drywall tape, yes, for me it tends to want to unroll a bit despite the stickiness on one side. there's no secret for me, i just use the tip of my finger to keep it down or a toothpick (which i have on hand). nothing's perfect. those arbors come close though.

eric
fresno, ca.

I used to tie the Dry Wall Tape with D or E thread to keep it's shape intact. The Foam Arbors are all I use now. Much easier to work with.
Dave

I use the foam arbors most of the time. But when the gap between blank and seat is small I use the mesh tape.

The first thing is to spin the seat as you're putting it on. Spin it in the direction you wound the tape. That goes a long way to keeping it wrapped.

If the layers of tape are thin enough that I can easily see the blank thru the wraps, I just wrap the tape on without epoxy and then use a couple daps of superglue with kicker and the tape is instantly bonded and won't unwrap. Then butter it up good with epoxy and slide your seat on.



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Better to have and not need than to need and not have.

I agree with Matt's comment .."spin the seat in the direction you wind the tape" ... never had a problem with the tape. Prior to wrapping, I anchor the end of the Drywall Tape with masking tape ... just enough to keep it in place. You want the epoxy to completely penetrate the Drywall Tape so it bonds with the blank.

IMO, you are using a bit too much of the tape. Once you get it started, spinning it as stated above will work wonders. I only use it on large reel seats, everything smaller I use polyurethane arbors and FC bits.

Yeah, Eric, I meant arbors. Couldn't think of that word last night.