Duct tape... Don't leave home without it!


Survive

Survive

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Another one of man's great inventions, is duct tape. It seems that there are a million ways to use the stuff. Most PSKs have at least some in it as it can be used to...

- fasten just about anything
- patch clothes (If ironed to the clothes, by ironing the reverse side through fabric, becomes a permanent patch that survives washings)
- twisted can be used as cord for bow drill
- handle for homemade containers made in bush
- fix leaks in tents
- Make zipper tabs
- make wallets
- make a pouch to hold small items in PSK
- make covering for field notebook
- ...

How have you used Duct tape in the field or in the shop?
duct-tape-3m-256104841_std.jpg


Found this site....
http://ducttapeartinfo.blogspot.com/

But disadvise using it like this, as a babysitting tool.... (lol)
duct-tape-art.jpg
 
I have some duct tape wrapped around a credit card in all my packs. On our last trip to the Smokys we were hiking on the Abrams Falls trail when we encountered a fellow hiker who's sole had come loose from his boot. He was trying to hold it on with the boot lace when we walked up. I casually mentioned that I had duct tape. I thought he was going to hug me!! That little bit of tape turned what could have been a loooong mile back to his vehicle a good hike.
 
I’ve made temporary skid patches on skin and frame kayaks when I know the launch or landing will be over hard beaches. I’ve also used it on canoes for the same reasons on white water runs.
Somewhere in the Bush Medicine section I have a post on how to make a butterfly bandage with tape too.

Wolf
 
the "duct tape guys" book is cool too. If you got prime it's usually on amazon for just a few bucks and free express shipping.

how else would we keep our tail lights in place -- and our visquene windows in, here in the south? :D
 
Katdaddy said:
On our last trip to the Smokys we were hiking on the Abrams Falls trail when we encountered a fellow hiker who's sole had come loose from his boot. He was trying to hold it on with the boot lace when we walked up.
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I had a similar experience. Was backpacking the Black Forest Trail in central PA last Spring, and 6 miles in, one of my companions' boot sole separated from the boot about 2/3 of the length. He's a marine, so he could have toughed it out, but I offered him some duct tape and the boot held for the rest of the weekend. The rest of us agreed to buy him a new pair of boots because the ones he had been wearing were 12 years old!

To save space, I just unroll the duct tape, rolling it back onto itself into a much smaller roll. I usually carry 2-3 of these smaller rolls, made from one full roll.
 
If you want an insane duct tape try the Gorilla brand (same guys who make Gorilla Glue); that stuff will just about pull the finger prints off your finger tips :D

Wolf
 
werewolf won said:
If you want an insane duct tape try the Gorilla brand (same guys who make Gorilla Glue); that stuff will just about pull the finger prints off your finger tips :D

Wolf
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I keep a roll of it in my work and "manpurse". I was just about to ask if Gorilla tape would be considered sacrilegious.
 
Katdaddy said:
I have some duct tape wrapped around a credit card in all my packs. On our last trip to the Smokys we were hiking on the Abrams Falls trail when we encountered a fellow hiker who's sole had come loose from his boot. He was trying to hold it on with the boot lace when we walked up. I casually mentioned that I had duct tape. I thought he was going to hug me!! That little bit of tape turned what could have been a loooong mile back to his vehicle a good hike.
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Good point! Now there's a good use for all those free cards in the mail. Don't throw them away, but wrap them on duct tape! Hope this helps...
 
I use duct tape to reinforce the cardboard boxes that my gear comes in. That way they stay together, are water proof, and I can use them a long time to carry the gear, or to store it. I've also used it to patch holes in the bottom of a canoe. And made a very useable machete sheath from duct tape and a Busch beer carten. I've heard it is great in place of mole skin, if you are getting a blister from walking, just apply it over the sensitive area to protect it from further damage.
 
The interesting thing is that duct tape works well on about anything EXCEPT heating and AC ductwork. It's not designed for it. It was originally developed to seal ammunition cased for the US military. There is some debate on how "duct" got added to the name, and I'm not going to get into that.
I've used it for a lot of things.. I like the idea of wrapping it around an old credit type card (used gift cards, discount cards, etc). I plan on wrapping it around a lot of things like water bottles, hiking sticks, etc. to have plenty without taking up space.
 
+1 on the Gorilla Tape. That stuff is amazing! And it holds its adhesive value after peeling it, so it can be possible to reuse it in some cases. I use it to seal my FAK and emergency fire/tinder kit.. I've unwrapped them dozens of times and it still holds strong. It's also available in 1" wide rolls.
 
I use slabs of duct tape as moleskin, put a little piece on hot spots when I hike to prevent blisters.
 
Gorilla tape=Duct tape on roids, I built a heavy bag a few yrs back and wrapped the outside with Gorilla tape, has held up real nice.

I use duct tape around the credit card as well, has come in real handy in the bush, don't think I'd try gorilla tape off anything but the roll, it would probably destroy the credit card...lol
 
Carry a large roll with me when I head to the big city on the plane. Seal up all my totes when I shop for things o bring home. Have a roll on the 4 wheeler also.

Will have to get some gorilla tape next time I am in the city. 1" tape would be perfect for things.:dblthumb:
 
I always carry duct tape. One of the most useful things I've done with it was I splinted someone's broken leg with it. In conjunction with a SAM Splint, duct tape turns it darn near into a cast.

Duct tape is also useful with knee injuries and sprained ankles to stiffen up the joint and keep swelling down on the evac.

I use duct tape instead of moleskin to prevent blisters. Duct tape grips the skin well, and socks and boots just slide over its slick surface.

And of course I use it for field gear repairs.
 
hmm... Haven't heard of the Gorilla Tape, but Speed tape is pretty good too. Stronger and more durable than duct tape.

Instead of permanently attaching the duct tape to the credit card, I wrap it with a layer of toilet paper first. Then when I am done wrapping, I slide the card out. I find that this makes the smaller roll easier to use, as you can put your fingers in it while unrolling.
 
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My only problem with wrapping on stuff i sthe glue melting off when left in a closed vehicle and sticking everything else in the bag together. I usually store the duct tape in a ziplock to prevent this. Also heating duct tape strips by a fire or with a hair dryer makes the ashesive stickier especially whe you use tape on both sides of a hole. I have a rain jacket with several duct tape patches done in this method.
 
I do AC installation and repair and work with Duct tape all day everyday this stuff is absolutely amazing for everything. I usually keep at least a roll nearby.
 
I need to update my kit to include duct tape; thanks for the motivation!

:dblthumb:
 
Cahlan said:
I do AC installation and repair and work with Duct tape all day everyday this stuff is absolutely amazing for everything. I usually keep at least a roll nearby.
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You don't use HVAC tape instead? Big difference from the urethane backed adhesive cloth tape we in the US refer to as duct tape.
 
Bandaids. Not always the funnest pulling OFF but as anyone who works with sheetmetal or steel studs will tell you...It does work :D Non-permanent traction bars on the soles of moccasins, aheh....
 
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