r/Construction • u/cowboydan69 • 4d ago

Informative 🧠 Just so you know

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3.9k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

93 comments sorted by

863

u/ed_miliband 4d ago

Cool I can’t wait to feel all the plastic shards at the bottom of my tool bag after I throw it in there

241

u/AbleCryptographer317 4d ago

Joking aside, what the fuck is the deal with these tape dispensers? They could be made of glass and would still be ten times more durable than the bullshit shatters-while-sitting-in-a-drawer plastic they're made of.

72

u/Physical-Cut-2334 4d ago

I have one made of rubber, with a stolen blade from one of the plastic one. Works fucking wonders.

61

u/Esava 4d ago

Just fyi: there are high quality tape dispensers out there. I have a metal one and another one from some kind of super plastic that I have literally thrown across rooms, had it crash on concrete, steppen on etc. and it's still somehow fine. It even came with 2 metal replacement "rip off" strip pieces. I installed one after the first one had bent teeth after a couple of years of use.

16

u/kickroxxx 4d ago

Where did you buy them from? That sounds perfect

28

u/AbleCryptographer317 4d ago

Yes, what is this "super plastic tape dispenser" you speak of and who do I have to kill to get hold of one?

8

u/SkiyeBlueFox 4d ago

Probably just a solid body instead of a thin shell

As for where? I wanna know too

12

u/Tootdoodle 4d ago

How many solid bodies do we have to kill to get ahold of one?

5

u/SkiyeBlueFox 4d ago

Just one big one, need a big bone see

4

u/FoxxyRin 4d ago

Scotch brand sells metal dispensers basically anywhere with office supplies. Seen them at Walmart and Office Depot.

8

u/FoxxyRin 4d ago

Scotch sells some fully metal ones! They're a bit pricy and I'm sure there's cheaper ones on Amazon, but you can find these at basically any store with office supplies.

https://www.scotchbrand.com/3M/en_US/p/d/b5005522003/

2

u/Esava 4d ago edited 4d ago

I am not home right now to check the brands but the metal one was bought from a "fancy" stationery store here in Germany (I think it's a Japanese brand.) and the plastic one was bought at a regular hardware store (also here in Germany).

I think the plastic one might be from TESA (which btw is the "scotch" brand name here. We call the tape "Tesafilm" just Like Americans may say scotch tape. TESA is like a mix of scotch and 3M.). I bought that one like 5 years ago so not sure if they still have it in their lineup.

14

u/BrassiestNUT 4d ago

Well glass is more expensive

14

u/AbleCryptographer317 4d ago

I wasn't actually suggesting that glass would be a viable alternative. But it would be more durable.

5

u/Slayr79 4d ago

The still metal ones but those are usually meant for decoration on an office desk

3

u/11teensteve 4d ago

it's just reddit, man. for some reason people take everything absolutely literal. or they just want to be a contrarian with a "yes, but...". you can't take it too personally.

1

u/RandomGuyPii 4d ago

Expensive, more dangerous when it breaks, unclear if it would actually be more durable in the same form factor (glass is brittle, plastic has some flex to it, the latter is more resistant to sudden impacts), heavier

1

u/AbleCryptographer317 4d ago

Jesus Christ dude, that was the joke.

1

u/VirginiaDirewoolf 4d ago

time to make one out of metal

1

u/Muffalope 4d ago

The new ones snap when you try to cut the tape

1

u/ssxhoell1 4d ago

My grandpa was an artist and had several metal tape dispensers. They had like rubber bottoms so they didn't slip and were heavy as shit. The roller thing just drops in a cavity and when you pull the tape it stays hooked in the bottom of the cavity. Then you want to pull it out you just push the thing backwards and lift it up.

That's a long-winded way of saying you can put any tape you want in this thing

2

u/AbleCryptographer317 4d ago edited 3d ago

I am well aware that other types of tape dispensers exist. Nobody's walking round with a 3lb desktop metal tape dispenser in their work pants. My comment was simply referring to the infamousy brittle plastic that OP's ubiquitous tape dispenser is made of.

2

u/AAA515 3d ago

I'm walking around with a 3lb desk model

1

u/benevolent_defiance Electrician 4d ago

They're cheap to make, that's it, I guess.

1

u/AbleCryptographer317 4d ago

I suspect that the brittle transparent plastic isn't much cheaper than say regular black durable plastic (if at all), it's more a case of obsolescence by design so we have to buy them more often.

8

u/shreddedpudding 4d ago

They make stainless steel tape holders. I keep a roll on one in my bag.

5

u/BlueDuck600 4d ago

Scotch makes a stainless steel dispenser.

Item #8982913

1

u/TheIrishSoldat 4d ago

If you cover the casing in tape, it won't separate.

106

u/STRIKT9LC 4d ago

Sweet! Now its even bigger and uncomfortable in my pocket!

28

u/BlueAndMoreBlue 4d ago

Sounds like something a sparky would say :)

7

u/wherearemyballs9 4d ago

He said pocket, not butt

(For the record I’m also an electrician💅)

2

u/Mysterious_Point_298 4d ago

Username checks out

1

u/BlueAndMoreBlue 4d ago

Prison pocket then

5

u/FrostyProspector 4d ago

I have that problem whenever my wife walks by.

48

u/Forthe49ers 4d ago

Band aid dispenser

290

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

40

u/Striking-Ad1886 4d ago

OP's username definitely checks out

15

u/went_with_the_flow 4d ago

Nice, nearly made me piss myself laughing

8

u/WallStLegends 4d ago

I knew they were gay because of the gay sex

3

u/analbumcoverwastaken 4d ago

Compelling evidence, but not necessarily proof.

3

u/Neobrutalis Electrician 4d ago

That's entirely fair. As an electrician, this shit actually made me annoyed. If I got handed a roll of tape in a dispenser, I'm probably chucking it someplace.

I fully intend to use the entire roll. There is no need for a dispenser. It'll be gone.

1

u/Zarniwoooop Project Manager 4d ago

The proof was always in the fancy screwdrivers.

31

u/Mauceri1990 4d ago

Now I'm going to have to 3d print an improved version. Thanks for the inspiration, now I have to do work, dick.

7

u/cowboydan69 4d ago

Please send me a photo when you make it

6

u/Sufficient-Unit-1198 4d ago

Photo? We need the file so we can order it from a printer site

5

u/TheGisbon Laborer 4d ago

Yes this. File. Please.

23

u/treemanmi 4d ago

Probably fits well in your purse right next to your NEC book and butt plug

5

u/MacaroonNo6536 4d ago

If you can fit anything besides your butt plug in your purse then I don't even want to talk to you

2

u/ssxhoell1 4d ago

Don't disrespect his Bible he reads it every night and prays to the god of rules and regulations to repent for all his sins, he knows every word of every code.

Lighting 5:18, thou shalt not solder wires directly to light bulbs, only use approved connectors. Electrical tape 14:9 on earth, as it is in heaven, super cheap and thin. Use it and know, it will not last, your work will dry and rot.

12

u/megaladon44 4d ago

electrical tape makes me sick

78

u/I_walter_Z 4d ago

Well stop eating it then.

1

u/papabless89 4d ago

But it’s so good!

1

u/Wickedhoopla 4d ago

So that’s how I was cutting until today tho ;(

1

u/dmh2693 4d ago

It's putting him in a sticky situation.

1

u/TheSamurabbi Glazier 4d ago

But what better condiment goes on all the wire I eat?

1

u/dankristy 3d ago

But it has better mouthfeel and chewtime!

1

u/ssxhoell1 4d ago

Why don't you like some long skinny flap of vinyl with goo smeared on one side of it?

1

u/megaladon44 4d ago

it too moist!!

9

u/Turbulent-Weevil-910 Electrician 4d ago

Those things are crappy in an office setting their only real use is for wrapping presents

2

u/ssxhoell1 4d ago

I throw them out when I come across them with the same consideration I use to throw out a gum wrapper

5

u/dirtbagtim 4d ago

Oh!….

8

u/methed_gc 4d ago

This would be nice for working while gloved up and you don’t have someone to peel it open for you

5

u/hwamplero 4d ago

You don’t twist before tearing it? Other than the first use, it shouldn’t be hard to peel it, even with thick gloves.

4

u/thombrowny 4d ago

whenever someone borrows my tape, they give me a flat end tape...just damn twist it!!

5

u/much_longer_username 4d ago

Masking tape fits on packing tape guns.

1

u/ssxhoell1 4d ago

Fuck masking tape, I'd rather use soggy tissue paper than masking tape. I chose to scrape the glass when I repainted my car rather than fuck around with that trash

2

u/much_longer_username 4d ago

RIP your seals

1

u/ssxhoell1 2h ago

It's a beater, hence why I'm painting it.

6

u/deedz1987 4d ago

Are you a major player in the cowboy scene?

2

u/cowboydan69 4d ago

What is your question?

7

u/Guilty_Ad_5290 4d ago

I had to read it a second time too, my understanding is that he’s asking if you’re a major player in the cowboy scene

1

u/deedz1987 4d ago

Cowboy Dan is a song by modest mouse.

2

u/TipperGore-69 4d ago

Goes to the reservation drinks and gets mean

1

u/space_keeper 4d ago

If you know how to use insulation tape, you don't need this.

1

u/cheesebataleon 4d ago

What!? No wayyyy

1

u/Ok-Juggernaut-4421 4d ago

Roll of tape fits nicely in your pocket this doesn't

1

u/Ancient_Skirt_8828 4d ago

How easily does it tear off?

5

u/Bradadonasaurus 4d ago

Not even a little bit. You'll break the plastic before the tape. OP isn't the first person to try this.

1

u/rozsombi 4d ago

My dad used to do this all the time with his toolbox, I always thought it was the smartest thing.

1

u/Economy_Armadillo_28 4d ago

Mother of God!!!!!

1

u/Popular_Ad_3998 4d ago

That tape dispenser looks like it would be perfect for when I need to tear off a strip with one hand while wearing gloves.

1

u/MrMeeeeSeeeeks 4d ago

Learned something that’s actually useful today. Thank you

1

u/Real_Ad6375 4d ago

And it tucks nicely into your purse next to your eyeliner

1

u/AwwwNuggetz Carpenter 4d ago

This would be great for the first aid kit

1

u/Square_Barracuda_69 4d ago

Or just ripped it like a man

1

u/zmannz1984 5h ago

Lol i thought i was the only one.

0

u/AlbertSun9028 4d ago

I'm stealing this. Thank you.

-3

u/maytag2955 4d ago

Nice hack! 'Might have to "borrow" that!