Top Shop Tips

[johnclucas]

When I sharpen my cabinet scrapers I sharpen all 4 sides.  I put painters tape on the side I'm not using to keep from getting cut.

[amateur60]

Lots of uses.  But remember all blue tape isn't the same, even from 3-M.   For example, there is a Delicate version, with less holding power.  Not so good as a clamp, but great for newly finished surfaces.  There is also a long-life version, and in a different color (silver) a really long life tape. 

[johnclucas]

I make a lot of hand mirrors and I glue the glass in using Clear Silicone caulk.  I have always had trouble keeping the nozzle from getting clogged.  I've tried screws in the nozzle, wire twists and several other methods.  All failed until I tried wrapping the painters tape around the nozzle.   I wrap it so that about 1/2" sticks beyond the end of the nozzle and squeeze the very end shut.  Then I squeeze the handle to push some caulk into the tape.  Release the pressure on the caulking tube and put it away.  The caulk will harden at the tip which makes it very easy to pull out and your ready.  I now get almost 100 percent usage of the caulk instead of 1/2 or less of it going bad.

[Beaver Creek Woodworks]

One thing I have learned about painters tape is to follow the recommended time for leaving it on.  I left some blue on a level far to long, and I had to scrape it off.  I used it on the level to prevent marring my freshly painted walls. 

[johnclucas]

I also use painters tape as a drill depth guide.  I stick the tape on at the depth I want.  I wrap it around so there is a 1" flap.  Then when drilling, the tape will wipe away the shavings when it reaches the proper depth.

[-Paladin-]

Next to duct tape, this is one of the things you just have to have in the shop. I keep blue and green in 3 widths.

#1, Recently I have been messing around with double cut miter joints, there is just no other way to hold the 3 pieces of the joint together without using tape. Press it down on one piece, pull really hard and press it down on the other side, it exerts a fair amount of pressure put on 2 or three pieces and you get significant glue squeeze out.

#2 When routing a profile on Cherry or other woods that tends to scorch a put a strip of tape along the surface the bearing runs on, then peel this off for the final pass.

#3 On a couple of recent projects I have been trying to get more finishing done prior to assembly, so tape over the surfaces to be glued.

#4 On surfaces that will be difficult to clean up the glue I apply tape along the edge to help remove the squeeze out when it is rubbery.

[Plastic Man]

Remember that all painters tape is not the same, as in time to remove, or even color.

There has always been painters tape available, and it just wasn't colored blue or green

 Every roll of "good" quality masking style painters tape will have printed inside, it's amount of time reccomended before removal. It has always been this way, it's just that most of us were unaware of it being there unless you were a painter by trade.

Have a great day everyone !

[pstewart405]

When I installed my flat screen tv on the wall I Layed it out full size with the blue tape making sure it was square and in the locations I needed .Then I was able to locate the mounting bracket in the same way for drilling into the studs. This made the entire installation very simple.

[bojoyseven]

When doing crosscuts on my tablesaw I'll stick a small piece of painters tape on the table 2-3" in front of the blade. I then cut a scrap piece of stock to mark a cut line on the tape. I cut the stock, shut the saw off, and then without moving  the cut piece pull the miter gauge back to the tape and mark the end of the cut on the tape. I'll use the cut line for one sawing session and then remove it. The painters tape won't leave tape residue like other tapes can.

[DRAGON1]

put on jigsaw footplate to help it slide better,

put over painted surface and draw pattern, then route out pattern, spray color, then peel off blue tape.