If you need duct tape, you need duct tape. Same with packing tape, and masking if you actually mask things with it.
But for the everyday stuff like minor repairs, tacking stuff to stuff, I use electrical tape.
I have no idea how widely applicable this is. Seriously, what even is the median use case for tape? There's so many kinds with so many purposes.
Still, here's my logic for my use case, which is minor repairs, securing random objects, and occasionally tacking things onto surfaces.
Masking tape is okay for short term use, but the residue is awful and it's thin enough to be annoying to remove. On the bright side, it doesn't require scissors, is thinner, and can be easily written on. Sometimes things are too small for thick electrical tape. Sometimes you just want a quick label.
But be careful with your tape labels. You will replace them, and you will be frustrated by the experience. Even if you think this is a permanent, one time fix, give your future self some wiggle room.
I still have slightly tacky residue from tape I removed two years ago. There are cabinets which will never recover from my past mistakes.
I truly wish I could tell myself from three years ago to use more electrical tape, because "it has weird residue I can't clean off" is a terrible reason to replace something, so I don't and now my mistakes stare at me every single day.
Electrical tape feels like overkill for many things. Paper especially, the tape is thicker than the paper.
But let's be serious.
That reference sheet you want to "temporarily" tack on the wall? You're not going to bother taking it down. So use the tape which is less likely to leave bad residue.
Don't even get me started on scotch tape. You'll never ever get a piece of scotch off nicely without damage to the surface or yourself. The only use case for scotch is on paper, where you need transparency. If you aren't making paper models, or connecting things into a massive sheet, why are you taping together so much paper?
Also, electrical tape stretches. If you have something funky which needs a quick fix, electrical tape's always got your back.
It's dark mode by default. Bad for labels, good for hiding fixes in a corner.
Electrical tape too expensive for you? Maybe you're using too much tape. Tape is for quick fixes, not permanent work.
But what do I know, we all fix different things.
- Rew
Nightly Notes
This by far has to be the least confident I've been about any post. But this is my post, so I can only present my experience with tape. One promise fulfilled from day 1.
I strive for at minimum, honesty if not utility.
Anyway.
I would love to finish the other promise by writing a grand theory about the nature of human nature and change tomorrow, but I sorely underestimated how busy I would be. To the point I don't have the energy to write about estimates of scheduling. I like thinking about scheduling too, what a waste.
I suppose I could write about being overloaded? I don't know that I would have anything useful to say yet.
It's too early in the year to sleep so little.
I hope you've gotten more,
- Rew