Electrical tape: 33+ or Cheapo?

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Electrical tape: 33+ or Cheapo?

  • 33+ only (The boss buys it - I don't care)

    Votes: 9 7.6%

  • Only good stuff like: 33+, 88, 170 and/or phase tape

    Votes: 32 27.1%

  • 33+ for insulating, whatever I grab for everything else

    Votes: 57 48.3%

  • Cheapo tape for everything

    Votes: 20 16.9%
  • Total voters
    118
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Minuteman

Minuteman

Senior Member
Location
The Sooner Nation
A question came up recently about electrical tape. Should 3M 33+ tape be used for everything, like pulling wire? What about grabbing a role of color phase tape to quickly make up a pull? Do you even buy 33+? Do you substitute the 3M 33+ with 3M 88, or 3M 1700? Or do you just use cheapo wrap for everything?
 
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I worked for a large company that bought nothing but the cheapest stuff possible. You really have no choice with a large company as you can go bankrupt just buying tape. (They went bankrupt anyway, but that's another story for another day.) I got used to using the cheap stuff and now I don't buy 33 anymore.

I now buy the intermediate grade 3M "700" stuff, which is better than the 1700 but not quite as good as 33. I also keep a bunch of cheap stuff around for snaking and other "throw away" purposes.
 
when I was in china a few years ago, the electrical tape they had did not have adhesive. they would wrap and tie the ends in knots.

we left the few rolls of black tape we brought with us in the electricians hands. you woulkd have thought it was gold.

they had no wire nuts either. they stripped the wires back and tied the wires together. the knot was very tight and near impossible to open up. the mexicans did the same thing, but had tape with adhesive on it.
 
Your poll is tricky - I use cheapo as much as possible, but don't spend a lot of time looking for it. As a result, I wind up using a lot of phase-colored tape for pulling/pushing wire for branch circuits, but I always feel a bit guilty and try to remember to look for black tape when I'm in the right neighborhood.
 
I almost always use 3M's 33+ for just about everything, I don't like tape that comes loose or won't stick. Whenever I come across a roll that doesn't work right I pitch it, even if I could use it for less demanding circumstances such as wrapping up pull lines or as a bandage. I don't want to be bothered with wondering if I used a quality product. If that's all you have,you know it'll hold up.
Carl
 
I use only 33+ or when it is cold 88 or better..I hate tape that does not stick or leaves a residue behind..I also keep my 33 plus in a controlled area..I dont care what the rest of the guys use I use real tape..It works when I need it too, even when left in truck at below zero temps..I also have habit of throwing cheap tape out..You get what you pay for..
 
Used 33 for 'permanent' work, phase tape for phasing, and cheepo for everything else. Never has been much of a concern.
Actually did not use much 33, except on potheads.

Happy New Year Everyone and Best Wishes
 
HighWirey said:
Used 33 for 'permanent' work, phase tape for phasing, and cheepo for everything else. Never has been much of a concern.
Actually did not use much 33, except on potheads.

Happy New Year Everyone and Best Wishes
Click to expand...

Yea, that 33 will shut'em up .
Couldn't resist that one .
Carl
 
The cost of cheap gets very expensive when you have 10+ wireman held up on a pull because the head came undone for cheap tape? Cold weather demands are far different than those above 32 degrees.

Seen some pretty "magical" splices pulled out of a pond that ran 480 for more than a year on the North Slope! It doesn't escape stupid, but it screams the ability's of 23, and 88, used together.

I'd be guilty of using phase tape to make some pulls If I run out of 33.
 
Minuteman said:
George, has anyone ever griped at you for using phase tape for pulling? :grin:
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I have griped because someone else did. Long run underground, replacing damaged wire, water and grit in the conduit. Guess what? The tape let go. I wanted to throw dirt on him while we were digging a new trench......
 
Temflex for all but phasing. (33 on phasing) Most things do not require tape at all.... Mostly use for bundleing and pulling, general use...

And rarely if I need tape for kerneys or such, rubber puddy tape (Sctotchfil?), and a few layers of 33.

NEVER USE COLORED (EPECIALLY WHITE) TAPE FOR PULLING! It leads to a dangerous situation if confused with phasing....
 
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