This is topic Which splicing tape is the best? in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
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Posted by Brian Paymer (Member # 57) on 06-13-1999, 12:07 AM:
I was wondering which splicing tape is the best. Our supplier changes all the time and many of the rolls stretch and won't come off when we try to peel it off. Any recommendations?
Posted by Mitchell Cope (Member # 32) on 06-13-1999, 08:35 AM:
I don't know which is tape best, but I have a related question. I have a Hollywood splicer that cuts 8 perfs (4 perfs each edge) per operation. The splicing tape I got from a cinema supplier (supposedly standard) is just wide enough to require 10 perf cuts (5 perfs each edge). This causes me to have to do one extra operation. Should a standard splice be 4 or 5 perfs long?
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-13-1999, 01:52 PM:
Personally, I think ALL splicers should cut and punch 8 perfs wide (4 perfs each side of the cut). If Neumade would change their design enough to allow for the extra width tape, theirs would be the best. As it is, Neumade's only splices with the standard 5 perf wide tape. But to answer Mitchell's question, I've seen splicers that only punch one perforation on each side, so I don't think it matters too much as for reliability.
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-13-1999, 01:55 PM:
Personally, I feel the Neumade tape wins out in durability and ease of removal. Quick splice tape (manufactured by Hudson Photographic) is probably the best tape to use for archival splices, as it is extra thin, applies evenly, but does not peel off as easy as Neumade.
Posted by Christopher Seo (Member # 7) on 06-13-1999, 03:16 PM:
Exactly my sentiment. When the splices end only partway through the frames, the edges of the tape are often clearly visible in the projected picture as horizontal black lines. Is that the reason you prefer the 8-perf splice, because it would put the tape edges on the framelines and therefore be more invisible? And what is the best splicer that currently does this?
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-13-1999, 05:03 PM:
I'm not aware of a splicer that uses unperforated 8 perf wide tape. Although, if anyone knows of such an item, I would be extremely interested!Yes, my main beef with the typical splicers is the black tape edge that is sometimes visible. However, if tape is only ordered in rolls of 8 at a time, the vendors will send you an unopened package direct from Neumade. Then, simply don't take the rolls out of the package until it is ready to be loaded onto the splicer. Sitting the rolls of tape on it's edge is where most of the dirt is picked up and projects as a black line.
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 06-13-1999, 07:05 PM:
The best splicing tape I have used is the Neumade clear tape, as others have said. It's strong, easy to peel, and looks good on screen. I've also had good luck with the tape from Christie's Editorial in Burbank, CA, but their prices are a bit too high.
Whatever brand makes the opaque white tape is definitely my least favorite because of the difficulty of peeling (especially important for getting that opaque junk off of prints that arrive from careless projectionists).
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 06-13-1999, 08:22 PM:
I would have to agree that the best tape is the Neumade clear (not zebra). Very durable. and also very easy to peel off when breaking down a print, and it does not leave any kind of residue on the film like some other cheesy tapes.
Posted by Christopher Santapaola (Member # 1015) on 12-14-2001, 09:57 AM:
I have just recently posted on this same subject a little while ago.How long have you all been talking about this????
Managers in the booth.
Not sure where it is now.
------------------
-Life is but a walking shadow, a poor player that walks, and struts its hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is a tale told by an idiot. Full of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-14-2001, 01:01 PM:
The much maligned 
CIR is available in a 8 perf version and Frame to Frame is probably the most used wide tape
Over all I find the tape made for Jack Roe (UK) the best In the US it is Marble or CPI and many dealers buy in bulk with there own logo on it
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-14-2001, 02:26 PM:
By using an 8-perf tape splicer and 1.5 inch wide splicing tape, the edges of the tape fall on the framelines, making the splice even less visible on the screen. ------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion
Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 12-14-2001, 02:36 PM:
Neumade clear------------------
Greg Mueller
Amateur Astronomer, Machinist, Filmnut
http://www.muellersatomics.com/
Posted by Mitchell Cope (Member # 32) on 12-14-2001, 06:19 PM:
John said, quote:
By using an 8-perf tape splicer and 1.5 inch wide splicing tape, the edges of the tape fall on the framelines, making the splice even less visible on the screen.
Sounds great, but could I pull that wide of a tape easily and then apply it evenly without any air bubbles? 
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-14-2001, 07:41 PM:
It usually isn't a problem working with the wider tape
Posted by Mitchell Cope (Member # 32) on 12-14-2001, 11:36 PM:
I'm curious, how wide is the splicing tape for 70mm film?
Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 12-15-2001, 01:41 AM:
I like the cheapest crap I can find. Once, I bought a huge quantity for practically nothing from an equipment supplier in the San Francisco Bay Area about 16 years ago. That stuff would stick to anything. It was the best stuff I ever used. I was so impressed with that tape that I actually squirted some projector oil on the film just to see if the tape would stick. Much to my surprise, it bonded better than any premium tape I ever used on a properly prepared film stock. Neutape (yellow) slid off like a greasy zit! Neutape clear slid off like a semi-greasy zit. This cheap stuff didn't. When the splice was separated on dismounting of the print, it did not leave any "goo" behind when I removed the tape from the film.
Jerry Harrah sold me that cheap stuff. I wish I could find more of it. It made a dandy splice.
J-Lar was also a very good tape. I Had very good luck with it.
Neutape is what I use now. As long as the film is not oily, it does a good job.
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-15-2001, 12:13 PM:
The film guage has nothing to do with the width of the tape used
I have a 8 perf wide 70mm splicer as well as a 8 perf wide 65mm one
The Imax uses a tape just about 1/4" wide with a serrerated cutter
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-15-2001, 12:24 PM:
Gord,
I thought Imax advocated ultrasonic splicers? At the Boise booth I nticed the large, modified Neumade splicer they had. When was the switch made to tape splices?
Mark @ GTS
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 12-15-2001, 12:51 PM:
many years ago they started providing a modified neumade
The Ultrasonic is the best but they are high maintance and must be used correctly.
DKP assembles prints with the ultrasonic but trailors etc with tape which is what I do as well
Posted by Carl King (Member # 398) on 12-17-2001, 08:49 AM:
In my booth we use a clear tape along with a Neumade splicer (5 perf) which is the only type of splicer I've used in the 30 years that I';ve been operating. Never had a problem with the splicer. However,..some tapes over the years have been less than ideal. Currently, I'm using a clear tape from Marble. Works just fine. By the way...Happy Holidays. Wether it be Christmas, Hannuka, Kwanzaa or Ramadan. Be well and be happy
ps: Ain't I a turribel spelller?