Re: DUC[KT] tape vs Gaffer tape

From	Lars Poulsen <lars@beagle-ears.com>
Newsgroups	comp.os.linux.misc, alt.unix.geeks
Subject	Re: DUC[KT] tape vs Gaffer tape
Followup-To	alt.unix.geeks
Date	2026-01-07 14:40 +0000
Organization	A noiseless patient Spider
Message-ID	<slrn10lss2f.3c7id.lars@cleo.beagle-ears.com> (permalink)
References	(4 earlier) <7cadnTFwKKy978r0nZ2dnZfqn_idnZ2d@giganews.com> <slrn10lfmmb.95fc.lars@cleo.beagle-ears.com> <mrq4l0F135kU1@mid.individual.net> <g6dr2m-us1.ln1@otis.foo> <slrn10lrgbb.48e.spamtrap42@one.localnet>

Cross-posted to 2 groups.

Followups directed to: alt.unix.geeks

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[Note Followups-To:]

>>> Lars Poulsen wrote:
>>>> My nieces in Denmark call it Gaffer tape.

>> Groovy hepcat Andy Burns was jivin' in comp.os.linux.misc on Sat, 3 Jan
>>> gaffer tape is different, designed to come off cleanly when used e.g.
>>> for marking positions on stage

> On 2026-01-05, Peter 'Shaggy' Haywood <phaywood@alphalink.com.au> wrote:
>>   No, gaffer tape is electrical tape. Gaffers are stage/movie/TV
>> electricians. They rig up wiring for the lighting, etc.

On 2026-01-07, Robert Riches <spamtrap42@jacob21819.net> wrote:
> At least in the US since the latter 1970s for "gaffer tape" and
> since the 1960s for "electrical tape", the two are drastically
> different:
>
> - electrical tape is stretchable, about 3/4" wide, and it is used
>   for wrapping bare wires to prevent short circuiting
>
> - gaffer tape does not stretch substantially, is about 2" wide,
>   and is used for making sure (already-insulated) cables don't
>   move around on the floor, walls, etc.

Subsequent posts have made it clear that "gaffer tape" may be
any of:
- duc[kt] tape - silver, very sticky, cloth tape
- electrical tape - usually black or white, stretchable plastic
  - also very sticky
- painter's masking tape - usually paper backed, removable with
  minimum residue. May be beige, yellow, blue or green - different
  brands with different properties.

Since - as I understand it - a "gaffer" is a stagehand specializing
in electrical wiring, I would expect that they would be prone to
using electrical tape. My understanding (which may be faulty) 
is also that only movie sets have full-time work for a proper
gaffer. On a movie set, there may be wiring belonging to different
groups, so the wiring may be color coded to quickly recognize who owns
what wiring, so you can dismantle it separately as the set is broken
down. Work may be inside, or if outside, mostly in good weather,
and installation is very temporary. So a desire for something that
does not leave a mess.

A music roadie mostly works outdoors, subject to weather. Also very
temporary installations. Needs more stability than afforded by
paper backed tape. Duct tapes leave sticky cables, but you live
with it.

Stage markings are semi permanent (weeks or months), may need
color coding. Sticky residue is not desirable. No single kind
of tape meets every objective. So masking tape or electrical tape
each meet half the objectives.

Are we all in alignment here?
-- 
Lars Poulsen - an old geek in Santa Barbara, California

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  Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-01 13:22 +0000
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        Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-02 06:16 -0500
          Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Mike Scott <usenet.16@scottsonline.org.uk.invalid> - 2026-01-02 17:10 +0000
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              Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-02 22:07 +0100
          Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-02 22:19 +0100
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              Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Mike Scott <usenet.16@scottsonline.org.uk.invalid> - 2026-01-03 08:46 +0000
                Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-03 14:35 +0100
                Re: Sun Position (was Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ?) Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-03 22:00 +0000
  Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Mike Scott <usenet.16@scottsonline.org.uk.invalid> - 2026-01-01 14:50 +0000
    Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-02 02:22 -0500
      DUC[KT] tape Lars Poulsen <lars@beagle-ears.com> - 2026-01-02 14:48 +0000
        Re: DUC[KT] tape Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-01-02 14:56 +0000
          Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-02 10:21 -0500
            Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-03 01:58 +0000
          Re: DUC[KT] tape Peter 'Shaggy' Haywood <phaywood@alphalink.com.au> - 2026-01-05 11:28 +1100
            Re: DUC[KT] tape Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-01-06 13:32 +0000
            Re: DUC[KT] tape Robert Riches <spamtrap42@jacob21819.net> - 2026-01-07 02:14 +0000
              Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-06 22:42 -0500
                Re: DUC[KT] tape Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-01-07 06:33 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-07 09:33 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-07 18:45 -0500
                Re: DUC[KT] tape Peter 'Shaggy' Haywood <phaywood@alphalink.com.au> - 2026-01-09 12:13 +1100
                Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-10 02:52 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape Andy Burns <usenet@andyburns.uk> - 2026-01-10 10:20 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-10 20:07 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-10 20:45 -0500
                Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-11 06:02 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-11 01:30 -0500
                Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-11 22:17 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-11 12:04 +0000
              Re: DUC[KT] tape vs Gaffer tape Lars Poulsen <lars@beagle-ears.com> - 2026-01-07 14:40 +0000
        Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-02 10:16 -0500
          Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-03 01:59 +0000
        Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-03 01:48 +0000
          Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-02 21:39 -0500
            Re: DUC[KT] tape The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-03 08:42 +0000
              Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-03 07:09 -0500
                Re: DUC[KT] tape The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-03 13:58 +0000
              Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-03 21:35 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-03 16:56 -0500
                Re: DUC[KT] tape The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-03 23:01 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape Lars Poulsen <lars@beagle-ears.com> - 2026-01-03 23:38 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-03 19:51 -0500
                Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-04 05:42 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-04 11:02 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-05 00:31 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-04 10:56 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape "Worst Case"@dizum.com - 2026-01-04 19:05 +0100
                Re: DUC[KT] tape "Worst Case"@dizum.com - 2026-01-04 21:07 +0100
                Re: DUC[KT] tape Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-03 23:41 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape c186282 <c186282@nnada.net> - 2026-01-03 20:31 -0500
                Re: DUC[KT] tape Richard Kettlewell <invalid@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-04 10:48 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-04 10:53 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape The Natural Philosopher <tnp@invalid.invalid> - 2026-01-04 10:52 +0000
                Re: DUC[KT] tape rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-04 06:05 +0000
            Re: DUC[KT] tape Lars Poulsen <lars@beagle-ears.com> - 2026-01-03 14:26 +0000
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      Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Peter 'Shaggy' Haywood <phaywood@alphalink.com.au> - 2026-01-03 00:50 +1100
      Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-03 01:21 +0000
      Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-05 12:44 +0100
  Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? rbowman <bowman@montana.com> - 2026-01-01 21:48 +0000
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      Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-01 23:56 +0000
        Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-01-02 02:18 +0000
          Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-02 05:02 +0000
            Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-01-02 06:04 +0000
              Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Lawrence D’Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> - 2026-01-02 21:27 +0000
                Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? Charlie Gibbs <cgibbs@kltpzyxm.invalid> - 2026-01-03 00:18 +0000
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                Re: This Is a Job For - Polarizing Film ? "Carlos E.R." <robin_listas@es.invalid> - 2026-01-05 12:52 +0100
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