Is Hing tape any better than ur average box tape?

It's more flexible, and I think it's easier to work with.

I think it actually sticks better too

Yep, I think it works MUCH better. I for definitely wouldn't trust box tape for holding a plane's control surfaces in place.

Ive tried about every different type of tape out there for hinges.

Scotch tape
Packing tape
The brown packing tape
Contact paper
Box tape
Masking tape
You name it.

Its all garbage for hinging.


There are quite a few tapes out there that are good for hinging.
They need these three important charectoristics

1. MUST STAY STUCK
2. MUST BE LIGHTWEIGHT
3. MUST BE EXTREMELY FLEXIBLE
4. MUST BE PAINTABLE.

The absolute best hingetapes are medical tapes.

Here is a list of my TOP recommended.

3M Blenderm (also known as Dubro Hinge Tape) - Sticks really well, is extremely flexable, and offers a nice flat matte finish that accepts most paints. This is the best all around option. Really fantastic tape.

3M Transpore - Sticks Extremely well, is fairly flexable, is perforated, so is great for quick repairs where you dont have access to a pair of scissors or hobby knife. It's cheaper than Blenderm at about a buck for 10yds.

3M 9841 tape - The ultimate hinge tape. Its really really really thin, and almost invisable. It uses a acrylate glue, and sticks like cement. Its hard to find, and really expensive though. But if you are trying to shave every last gram off your planes weight, this might be worth searching for. You could coat the entire wing in this stuff, and it wouldnt add but about a gram. Good luck on finding any though.

no box tape, packing tape, all the same in my opinion. I've used several and they are all the same. as long as it sticks good it will work.

Another type of tape you can try that iv'e used is peel and stick monokote. It is available at my LHS in sheets 5in. x 3' it is very sticky and comes in different colors and some with checkered patterns. Also great for adding trim color, stripes, etc. quick and easy to your plane. for hinges just cut into strip wide enough to cover both surfaces, unpeel, align and stick. Any extra can be trimmed with xacto.
Remember, you can always throttle back.
Jeff

try ironing on your tape low temp test it first. packaging tape can get to heavy, im not sure if you can buy it seprately but the hinge tape that comes with the ikarus models works very very well when ironed on, i woudl check into that.

hobbydude what part of syracuse r u from

>>> 3M Blenderm (also known as Dubro Hinge Tape) >>>

Okay, where can we buy the Blenderm tape? Is this a drugstore item?

Thanks!

Ernie

Your local hobby shop should carry it. Look for Dubro Hinge Tape. If they dont you can get it here.....

http://www.qualitymedicalsupplies.co...QMS/CTGY/73-BD

Hockey tape works extremely well. Vinyl tape with very strong stickum.

Good find on the medical supply place. I'm hoping to get it at the drug store though? Yes, I know the hobby shop sells the hinge tape, but I don't like paying their inflated price for "hinge tape", you know what I mean? Thanks loads and let me know if you have had much luck finding it at other local drug stores.

Ernie

Im a paramedic, I have TONS of rolls of transpore! I never thought of using it. I have lots of the Ikarus tape, but It doesnt stick well for long, I never tried heating it on.

You can also do what I do....Snag it from your local doctors office. Normally they have the stuff by the boatload, just ask them for some. They will probably hook you up with a roll.

I have tried to get Blenderm at CVS, Walgreens and Osco in Indianapolis - no luck. Bought 10 rolls from medical supply place via internet. Cost about $1.25 each after shipping.

I use Micropore by 3M. You can buy it at a medical supply store. The material is very strong for hinges and you can use it to give your airplane some added strength by putting the thin odorless CA glue on it.


Bevo

I looked all around for it (Blenderm) too, no luck. My local Jewel Osco ordered me a box of it for $15.00. 12- 10yrd rolls. So about $1.25 a roll.