Tape hinges

Papa · October 17, 2007, 08:09:43 PM

HI GUYS, DO YOU HAVE AN OPINION WHAT IS THE BETTER TAPE TO USE FOR TAPE HINGES ON A SMALL, 30" WING SPAN EDF?

THANK YOU, JACK

Michael · October 17, 2007, 09:24:03 PM

If the plane is a very light, slow-flying, depron type plane (under 8 ounces), even scotch tape is OK.

If it's slightly heavier (8 ounces or heavier), then you should buy some of the commercially available hinge tape from a hobby store.

Michael

pmackenzie · October 17, 2007, 11:25:25 PM

I like Blenderm tape for hinges.
Very flexible and the glue doesn't seem to dry out over time.

Pat MacKenzie

rkhoo · October 18, 2007, 04:04:34 PM

Pat, where can I find Blenderm?

Papa · October 18, 2007, 07:07:56 PM

Thanks Pat, I checked and Blenderm has been discontinued. It was a 3M surgical tape and seems to have been replaced by 3M "Transpore" hospital flexible tape. Part of the Nexcare family of products. It looks to be available to the general public as "Nexcare Plastic First Aid Tape". Sold in the usual 3M dispenser. I will look for it in the pharmacy.

pmackenzie · October 18, 2007, 08:04:31 PM

Where did you see that it was discontinued?
It is still on the 3M web site:
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/SH/SkinHealth/products/catalog/?PC_7_0_2GLB_nid=Q0VG3TBT6DbeB385P3RT67gl

It can be hard to find at our pharmacies, they all seem to sell "store" brands, but there are lots of online sources, including Tower Hobbies:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJGT1&P=7
http://www.rcfoam.com/cart.php?target=category&category_id=99
http://www.xtremepowersystems.net/proddetail.php?prod=XPS-TAPE

Pat MacKenzie

Papa · October 18, 2007, 10:01:55 PM

Sorry Pat I just read the first entry in a forum and now I've read the rest and it is very contradictory so, as I guess is often the case, you are right. I will find the tape in town. Here's the post I saw (dated July 2005):

Hi all,

Got some bad news today by my wholesaler at work (I'm a pharmacy manager). I tried to order a case of Blenderm tape for my foamies, and was told that 3M discontinued all Blenderm tapes. The product is still listed on their site, but they are no longer making it. I believe Dubro is selling Blenderm as hinge tape. Some pharmacies may still stock it or can get it, but I CAN'T

Papa · October 18, 2007, 10:23:21 PM

Now that I know the tape of choice I'm assuming that I put the tape on after I've put the shrink film on and not directly on the Balsa?
Jack.

pmackenzie · October 19, 2007, 02:23:45 PM

Hinge everything last.

Pat MacKenzie