7 types of tape for woodworking you should have + bonus

A roll of woodworking tape is not a tool like a chisel or a file, but it is simply indispensable for your workshop. Whether you’re looking to permanently glue something together or just temporarily hold a few parts together, chances are there’s a tape that’s perfect for the job. But, with so many options, what types of tape for woodworking should you really have in your workshop?

The 7 must-have types of tape for woodworking are duct tape, double-sided tape, painter’s tape, insulation tape, aluminum tape, Teflon tape, and vulcanization tape.

This article will explain briefly what each type of woodworking tape is and how it can benefit all woodworkers. You don’t need a large supply, but having each of these tapes in your workshop can be useful in unexpected situations.

Disclosure: At zero cost to you, I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon associate. Products featured are selected based on quality, performance, and reputation, regardless of affiliate relationships.

What are the factors you should consider while buying tape for woodworking?

Bonding Surface

The bonding surface is the first thing to consider when selecting the best type of tape for woodworking. Before selecting a tape, determine whether the surfaces are smooth or rough. Tapes, both thick and thin, can be used on any flat or smooth surface. Thick tapes, on the other hand, are preferable for uneven or rough surfaces due to their large bonding surface.

Width

Tapes are available in several widths. Wide tapes are preferable for sticking heavyweights. However, they may protrude from the object. Narrow tapes, on the other hand, are best suited to light-duty applications.

Cost

When purchasing woodworking tape, price is an important factor to consider. Consider how much money you’re willing to spend on a tape for woodworking before purchasing it. There are numerous types of tapes on the market, each with a different price, so find one that fits your budget. However, don’t sacrifice quality in order to save money.

Adhesive Strength

Woodworking tapes also come in a variety of adhesive strengths. The stronger tape can support heavy wood for an extended period of time. So, before purchasing a high-adhesive-strength tape, consider how much weight you need to attach.

Adhesion Time

Do you want to slap something on occasion? Or do you want to spend a long time fixing it? Knowing this will assist you in locating the best tape for woodworking. The temporary tape will be ideal if you want to easily remove it after a short period of time without causing any damage.

Permanent tape with strong adhesion, on the other hand, is ideal for holding an object in place for an extended period of time. It is difficult to remove.

Removal Effect

You can get the best bond for your needs if you have the right knowledge and make the right choice. Some strong woodworking tapes have a strong adhesion that is difficult to remove. They also leave a residue when peeled. If they are not firm, some of them will tear the material.

So, if you don’t want any adhesive residue, I recommend investing in temporary tape. When compared to permanent tape for woodworking, it has less adhesion and can be easily removed, leaving minimal effects.

Climate and temperature

Climate and temperature are also important factors to consider. Some factors will influence whether you use woodworking tape indoors or outdoors.

Sunlight, UV rays, rain, and temperature extremes are just a few examples. Temperature and stickiness are inextricably linked. Low bonding is caused by low temperature. Additionally, extremely high temperatures do not promote good bonding.

It is advised that you buy a tape for woodworking that works well in all temperatures. As a result, these tapes are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications.

Surface Energy

Surface energy is another important factor to consider. This tells us how much of the material is appealing or repulsive to the tape. Materials with high surface energy, such as tiles, base metals, glass, and others, are ideal for forming a strong bond. As a result, they require low adhesive tape.

Plastics, on the other hand, have low surface energy, which necessitates the use of tape with high adhesion. As a result, permanent tapes are ideal for them.

Thickness

The thickness of the tape for woodworking is the final point to mention. Tapes thicker than 0.25 mm (0.0098 inches) are considered thick, while tapes thinner than 0.25 mm (0.0098 inches) are considered thin. Thick tapes have a larger bonding surface area and are therefore better suited for rough surfaces.

Thin tapes, on the other hand, are ideal when the surface is even but irregular. This is because they are compatible with all dimensions.

7 Types of tape for woodworking

Duct tape

Duct tape has an infinite number of applications, from quickly gluing single cables to repairs in space. Its tearability in length and width, as well as its oil and water resistance, makes it the perfect partner for quick repairs. An additional advantage is that you can also peel off duct tape without leaving any adhesive residue.

Double sided tape for Woodworking

For light construction applications such as hanging a wooden photo frame, a tool holder or fixing wood that you want to process with a copy router, you do not necessarily have to drill in a screw or knock in a nail. You can go a long way with double sided tape for woodworking.

double sided tape for woodworking sticks, logically, on both sides.
You first cut the tape to size, remove the plastic film on one side and apply it to the surface. Then you remove the film on the other side and press the part on the other part where you want to attach it.

Painter’s tape

Painter’s tape (known as blue tape for woodworking) is a tape that is mainly used for painting works, hence the name. You already need an extremely steady hand and brush control to be able to paint without masking tape. The other 99% of humanity prefers to use masking tape (or painter’s tape or masking tape) to mask off what paint should not get on during painting.

But painter’s tape can be used in many ways in the woodworking place because of its various properties. Of all the tapes I use in my workshop, painter’s tape is the most commonly used type of tape. I really use it for everything: for temporarily holding glued parts in place, protecting the surface during finishes, or as a base to mix my epoxy glue on, which you can see in this video on my youtube channel.

Of all the tapes that you will find in this article, this blue tape for woodworking should absolutely not be missing. I always have different widths available and a lot of spare on stock so I never run out.

Electrical tape

If you are going to work with electrical wires, it is best to always have insulation tape at hand. Such tape does not conduct electricity.

Do you have a broken cable, do you have to mark cables and circuit breakers or do you have to make sure that exposed copper wires cannot (for now) pose a danger? Then this tape will come in handy!

The tape also comes in different colors, which gives the convenience that you can label different cables and thus easily keep them apart.

Aluminum tape

Do you have a crack in a metal drain pipe or the pipe of the dust extraction system? Then aluminum tape can also offer a solution. This tape is temperature resistant and air and moisture tight.

Because it is airtight, this tape is a perfect extra fuse where you place pipes together for the dust extraction system. However, this tape is difficult to remove and leaves a lot of residues.

Teflon tape

Anyone who occasionally connects sanitary pipes or has already had to install a new tap is probably familiar with Teflon tape or sealing cord. This is a tape that you attach around the threads for your sanitary connections, in order to obtain a watertight seal.

Teflon tape can also be useful for placing connections that must be airtight, such as the connections to the compressor or other air tools. It avoids the loss of pressure in the compressor pipes, which means that the compressor will start less and also consume less electricity.

Vulcanizing tape

Vulcanizing tape is an unconventional option, unlike many other tapes that possess a sticky side. Its non-adhesive feature makes it a prime choice for short-term repairs to water hoses, plumbing pipelines, and plumbing installations.

When applying the tape around a workpiece and stretching it firmly, the heat and pressure will induce the tape to fuse into one homogeneous, watertight bond.

Apart from its use in water-related applications such as plumbing, vulcanizing tape is also ideal for electrical work.

As it is not conductive, the tape can be used to cover electrical wires and create an insulated barrier, thus preventing short circuits. This makes vulcanizing tape incredibly versatile, capable of being applied to a broad range of woodworking tasks.

For instance, when constructing a wooden box to house tools or other items, you may use vulcanizing tape to form a waterproof seal between the cover and the bottom of the container. Similarly, if you are making a birdhouse or other exterior structure, secure any joint connections with vulcanizing tape for protection from rain.

Overall, vulcanizing tape is a dependable and multipurpose adhesive that can be implemented in a range of woodworking endeavors. Need to craft an airtight seal or insulate electrical wires? This tape can reliably provide the ideal answer that will demonstrate its resilience against time.

Bonus

All of the tapes I’ve described above are essential for any workshop. They can be extremely useful in assisting you quickly while building your projects. Having a variety of tapes in your workshop, on the other hand, can result in a jumbled drawer full of crisscrossed tape rolls. Solid tape holders are required to achieve structure in this shambles.

As a bonus for reading this article, you will receive free plans to make super handy tape holders that you can store in a structured manner using a French cleat system and take with you to work.

You can download the plans for free and read step-by-step instructions on how to get started building these tape holders in my article, How To Make A Better Tape Holder|FREE PLANS.