Tape pulling slivers

[Minnesota scroller]

I just ran into a porblem with my blue painter's tape pulling slivers out of the wood when I remove the tape. I'm using 1/8" BB ply and the tape is on for no more than 15 or 20 minutes. When I pull the tape up, it pulls slices of wood up with it. Of course, this leaves nasty thin gouges in my project. My roll of tape is near the end so I'm wondering if the tape is stickier at the end or if it's my plywood. It sure is frustrating.

[MikeDingas]

I had similiar problem but not using tape. Just photo adhesive on the paper pattern. In areas with not much wood between cuts, I notices thin slivers had peeled off. I too was using a 1/8" baltic birch plywood. Don't know what can be done about it, though.

[Tony Burns]

I just ran into a porblem with my blue painter's tape pulling slivers out of the wood when I remove the tape. I'm using 1/8" BB ply and the tape is on for no more than 15 or 20 minutes. When I pull the tape up, it pulls slices of wood up with it. Of course, this leaves nasty thin gouges in my project. My roll of tape is near the end so I'm wondering if the tape is stickier at the end or if it's my plywood. It sure is frustrating.

One of the problems with Baltic Birch plywood ( especially the 2.5 mm ) is the way the wood is actually peeled off of the log in the veenering process (rotationally), its cell structure is radically damaged in the process and sometimes ( depending on the tree ) the fibers easily pull out - one thing to try might be to take the stickness out of the tape by put it on a piece of cloth and removing it a few times - the cloth fibers will take away some of its surface area ( less sticky ) something else to try might be to pull it sideways across the grain rather than with the grain . Sometimes , the grain pulls out, or the plys separate - reguardless of what you do - what really stinks is when you get into a large project thats very time comsuming and this happens - Hope this helps a bit.

Tony Burns
Scrollsawpuzzles.com

[Minnesota scroller]

Thanks Tony, I'll try your ideas. Luckily, I was only stack cutting some fairly simple ornaments so not much was wasted.

BTW, with your knowledge, you should come out of hiding more often.

[Paul S WI]

Mike - when I start to notice that problem I dab just a little mineral spirits on and after a 15 seconds or so tape comes off with no problem. ~Paul

[William Young (SE BC)]

Mike;
Use the 2" wide purple (mauve) tape . It has the least adhesion of all the masking tapes and will not cause that problem yet it still sticks enough to hold through out the cutting.
I have used it for years and just picked up a couple more rolls when I made a trip to USA yesterday. It costs a little more but is well worth the difference.
W.Y.

[Paul S WI]

Bill is right. I have started using the Purple with very good results. Once Blue is gone I will be sticking with the Purple. ~Paul

[Minnesota scroller]

Great. I've still got 2 new rolls of 2" blue on hand. I've never been real happy with the blue. Even with the 1/4" BB I've had to lightly sand after pulling the tape off. I'll definitely remember this different color. Thanks guys.

BTW, this was some tough tape to find online. I did find a couple sources and they refer to it as low tack faux tape, not painter's tape.

[CanadianScroller]

You might try zapping the wood and tape in the microwave for 10 seconds or so to soften up the glue.

[Daryl185]

my 2 cents I quit using tape on my wood as it seemed kinda redundant I just spray the backs of my patterns with glue wait 15 sec and apply when its time to remove it I just spray or brush on some mineral spirits and off comes the paper with very little glue residue left on the wood

[Rolf]

I know this subject pops up periodicaly I gave up blue tape for the clear contact brand contact paper. Cheap, just enough sticky, doesnt damage the wood, no stinky solvents. Bonus you can cover a large are with one piece.
Did I mention cheap.

[ozarkhillbilly]

Those slivers and tearout where one of the main reasons I quit using the tape and went with spraying my pattern with adhesive then applying directly to the wood. Like its been mentioned a little bit of mineral spirits and up it comes. There are many different thoughts of school on this subject too.

Here is a link to a previous thread........http://www.scrollsawer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7520

[BobD (Archive)]

As far as stinky solvents...I've started using Goo Gone; it's relatively inexpensive, comes in a spray bottle (which makes application simple) and smells of oranges.

I also use clear packaging tape on my Baltic birch...with a blast of Goo Gone, it's gone!

Bob

[owler]

Clear contact paper has been working for me and is cheaper.

I have looked for the purple tape in Lowes and Home Depot and can't find it.

[Mick Walker]

I found the purple tape at Wal-Mart. I use Finnish BB plywood and have never had a problem with splinters.