Is duct tape a tool?

[VernM]

I just re-read this mention in the run-up to this segment of the forum. Is duct tape a tool? Does a B fit in the woods? I wouidn't leave home without it. Especially aftaer working in the aircraft industry and watching with amazement as engineers cut a a piece of Royalite to what they decided was the right shape, then attached it with duct tape to an experimental aircraft and took off to see if that cured a wind drag problem.

Seriously, it can serve as a patch on water hoses (with a couple of adjustable ring clamps around it -- always carry an assortment of them too), hold errant parts to the body or roof after a chance encounter with something stiff while backing up, serve as a quick tornaquet or deep cut patch (until sterile becomes available), and I'm sure you can think of other uses. Duct tape? As said, nevert leave home without it.

[ennajean]

Duct tape is always in DABEE. We don't leave home without it because it's always in DABEE. I believe we have 2 rolls of it 1 regular duct tape and 1 that is a clear duct tape.

[renrut]

Duct tape is most definately a tool. Years ago, a guy put a towbar through the side of an aircraft. The crew took some tape and covered the hole then flew from Winnipeg to Vancouver Island. They contacted us to let us know the tape survived the trip and was still covering the hole. The hole was not a big concern because it was the last flight of the plane before it was retired.

The only thing I dislike about duct tape is the glue. When the tape gets old and dries up, (which takes a long time) it takes a bit to get the glue off. WD-40 works good to remove the glue but it can be a bit of a chore.

[Mike]

It's an institution.
Just ask NASCAR.

[pete]

But the real question..............

Is it DUCT tape or DUCK tape???

[Mike]

Originally Posted by pete

But the real question..............

Is it DUCT tape or DUCK tape???

DOES IT REALLY MATTER???

I just saw somewhere that Duct Tape and WD-40 are the 2 "tools" no handyman should be without.

"If it moves, and it shouldn't, use Duct Tape.
If it doesn't move, and it should, use WD-40."

[g1g]

Originally Posted by pete

But the real question..............

Is it DUCT tape or DUCK tape???

Originally it was duck tape when the military needed a waterproof tape but when the HVAC industry found it usful in their line, it was called duct tape. I guess now it just depends on who makes it. If Henkel makes it you have Duck Tape if someone else makes it you have Duct Tape, since Henkel trademarked the name Duck tape. BTW there is a Duck Tape Festival every year in Avon Ohio on Father's day weekend.

[obiewan kanobe]

in ancient times ( 1961-1965 ) i was in the air force. i worked on jet fighters. we had a "super duct tape" it was a heavy metal foil with super strong adhesive like on duct tape. we covered holes and bad fasteners as an emergency fix. good to 600 mph !!

[Ron J. Moore]

Ranks right up there for all of us. I have a son who just started the hike of the AT and I watched him wrapping some around his poles; I asked half-heartedly what could he do with it; he laughed and said he never goes on his treks without it, has saved a torn shoe, broken strap, and once after a fall in a ravine....helped splint an arm. Should be listed as one of the first basic tools we start off with when building a tool chest!!! Safe travels.

[Cubey]

It's no more a tool than a bottle of glue or a piece of scotch tape.

It's very useful but it's not a tool.