3:25 - When I was in-house tech at hotels I would tack 4-6" of tape *across* the wire or cable, vs. parallel to as you demonstrated. For me, it just stayed put better while straightening out the cable and tacking the other end. Your mileage may vary. -fellow AV dude ;)
Great video, Paul. Thank you. In the interest of adding ideas (certainly NOT discrediting any information presented here), I'll mention that in tacking the ends of cables running through a high-traffic area, I've found that an X with two short pieces of tape on each end of the run gives me great peace of mind. It might be overkill, and no, I'm not paying for the tape, but I saw someone else do it years and years ago and adopted the method...but again, only for those areas where a lot of foot traffic and carts might come in contact with the cable run. I might try ONE angled piece next time, as you've demonstrated. I'd also agree that when taping onto carpet, walking down the run is essential and to really get a good amount of contact with the carpet (as long as we're not talking about a long, long run), I stay down and the floor and work the tape into the carpet with my fingers. Right now I'm working at a facility where we HIGHLY discourage tape on our carpet because of possible residues left behind, so I can understand the reluctance of "working it in", but doing that ALSO gives me a little extra peace of mind. The other HUGE issue with taping down cables (especially if you're forced into using black duct tape instead of gaffer's tape) is pulling it up...I DON'T LET ANYONE pull up my taped-down cable unless I know they won't pull the cable off the floor without pulling tape off first. I remember the times when someone thought they were doing a favor by pulling up and gathering the cable (usually in a wad)...tape still stuck to it and to itself, and it would take some real patience to get that wrapped around tape OFF. :-( Not much fun. Also, I'll admit, I'm a horizontal tape user too, but not every few feet...maybe every 6-10 feet.
Hi Jay, Yes I agree totally. My comments about "walking the line" to push the tape down into the carpet (or on the floor) is the same as working it with your hands/fingers. It's so critical cuz that's the best safety against hotel carts that run over the cables. The other thing you mentioned is that sometimes we use "duct tape" or regular cloth tape. The adhesives on these are not the same as true "gaff tape". If you do use duct tape then you need to be very cautious about the surface you are taping too. Carpets will shed onto the tape and hotels don't like their expensive carpets losing hair. And on some shiny floors duct tape can peel off the finish of the floor (wax, finish, etc). Those dear and loving helpers at the hotel trying to help out, or just ignorant of the issues. I've spent many hours of time peeling tape off cables cuz they didn't pull the tape first. We just have to smile and say thanks to them and mutter under our breath as we spend time we don't have to clear off the tape. AND remember that if you have gaff tape (or many cloth tapes) its actually (sort-of) easy to tear off the tape that's wrapped around a cable but duct tape doesn't tear that easily. USE GAFF TAPE!!! Don't be cheap, search for a supplier and get it. Don't use the cheap grey duct tape from your dollar store. You will never regret your choice.
AGREED! Gaff is the ONLY way to go :) That's the main issue at our facility...many folks coming in are not using the real stuff...usually black duct tape. Mostly, I catch them before much (or any) goes down. I get to say "Why don't you borrow MY tape...oh, I insist! Please, save your tape!
Yes I work with some coworkers who do 6" strips every few feet. It helps them keep the cabling straight so they can pull the tape line quickly. But 2ft strips is overkill for only a couple of cables (if you have many cables, in a high traffic area then you have to secure those cables). My boss would have a fit if he saw us pulling 2ft strips. He still believes you can tape down three cables with one 2" strip of gaff tape. Of course he's the one paying for that tape so he can complain. We still ignore him cuz we also know that if we don't tape down securely we'll be going back to redo it later.
It’s best for on the floor. But I’ve used it in a variety of directions. Vertical and even on a ceiling. But now gravity is fighting you and you’ll probably use more tape.
12:10 - UGGH! How many times have I experienced Banquets or CS come in to flip a space between two tightly booked meetings - and they do the the following: They just yank up on the cables themselves, causing the tape to wrap completely around said cable! EHHR!! For just a 3-5m run that's 10-20 minutes spent peeling, one thin strip of gaffers at at time, from around whatever wires or cables were underneath the tape. A real productivity killer, particularly if the room flip involves AV equipment.
Yes, that is most likely the most aggravating things. ANd especially if you are in the room running around pulling up gaff tape to avoid it and they just yank away anyway. I hear your pain :D
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use duct tape. It will leave a permanent residue on the cables which will not only be sticky to your hands the next time you use them but the cables will pick up a lot of carpet fiber and dust!
3:25 - When I was in-house tech at hotels I would tack 4-6" of tape *across* the wire or cable, vs. parallel to as you demonstrated. For me, it just stayed put better while straightening out the cable and tacking the other end. Your mileage may vary. -fellow AV dude ;)
Great video, Paul. Thank you. In the interest of adding ideas (certainly NOT discrediting any information presented here), I'll mention that in tacking the ends of cables running through a high-traffic area, I've found that an X with two short pieces of tape on each end of the run gives me great peace of mind. It might be overkill, and no, I'm not paying for the tape, but I saw someone else do it years and years ago and adopted the method...but again, only for those areas where a lot of foot traffic and carts might come in contact with the cable run. I might try ONE angled piece next time, as you've demonstrated. I'd also agree that when taping onto carpet, walking down the run is essential and to really get a good amount of contact with the carpet (as long as we're not talking about a long, long run), I stay down and the floor and work the tape into the carpet with my fingers. Right now I'm working at a facility where we HIGHLY discourage tape on our carpet because of possible residues left behind, so I can understand the reluctance of "working it in", but doing that ALSO gives me a little extra peace of mind. The other HUGE issue with taping down cables (especially if you're forced into using black duct tape instead of gaffer's tape) is pulling it up...I DON'T LET ANYONE pull up my taped-down cable unless I know they won't pull the cable off the floor without pulling tape off first. I remember the times when someone thought they were doing a favor by pulling up and gathering the cable (usually in a wad)...tape still stuck to it and to itself, and it would take some real patience to get that wrapped around tape OFF. :-( Not much fun.
Also, I'll admit, I'm a horizontal tape user too, but not every few feet...maybe every 6-10 feet.
Hi Jay, Yes I agree totally. My comments about "walking the line" to push the tape down into the carpet (or on the floor) is the same as working it with your hands/fingers. It's so critical cuz that's the best safety against hotel carts that run over the cables.
The other thing you mentioned is that sometimes we use "duct tape" or regular cloth tape. The adhesives on these are not the same as true "gaff tape". If you do use duct tape then you need to be very cautious about the surface you are taping too. Carpets will shed onto the tape and hotels don't like their expensive carpets losing hair. And on some shiny floors duct tape can peel off the finish of the floor (wax, finish, etc).
Those dear and loving helpers at the hotel trying to help out, or just ignorant of the issues. I've spent many hours of time peeling tape off cables cuz they didn't pull the tape first. We just have to smile and say thanks to them and mutter under our breath as we spend time we don't have to clear off the tape.
AND remember that if you have gaff tape (or many cloth tapes) its actually (sort-of) easy to tear off the tape that's wrapped around a cable but duct tape doesn't tear that easily.
USE GAFF TAPE!!! Don't be cheap, search for a supplier and get it. Don't use the cheap grey duct tape from your dollar store. You will never regret your choice.
AGREED! Gaff is the ONLY way to go :) That's the main issue at our facility...many folks coming in are not using the real stuff...usually black duct tape. Mostly, I catch them before much (or any) goes down. I get to say "Why don't you borrow MY tape...oh, I insist! Please, save your tape!
Can you recommend a good tape? How long will it last?
Tnx for your guidelines
Always welcome
I tried that kind of taping on our first event. They made redo it. They wanted horizontal pieces every 2ft. small pieces, too.
Yes I work with some coworkers who do 6" strips every few feet. It helps them keep the cabling straight so they can pull the tape line quickly. But 2ft strips is overkill for only a couple of cables (if you have many cables, in a high traffic area then you have to secure those cables). My boss would have a fit if he saw us pulling 2ft strips. He still believes you can tape down three cables with one 2" strip of gaff tape. Of course he's the one paying for that tape so he can complain. We still ignore him cuz we also know that if we don't tape down securely we'll be going back to redo it later.
Is it good for taping cables to walls?? For cable management
It’s best for on the floor. But I’ve used it in a variety of directions. Vertical and even on a ceiling. But now gravity is fighting you and you’ll probably use more tape.
12:10 - UGGH! How many times have I experienced Banquets or CS come in to flip a space between two tightly booked meetings - and they do the the following: They just yank up on the cables themselves, causing the tape to wrap completely around said cable! EHHR!! For just a 3-5m run that's 10-20 minutes spent peeling, one thin strip of gaffers at at time, from around whatever wires or cables were underneath the tape. A real productivity killer, particularly if the room flip involves AV equipment.
Yes, that is most likely the most aggravating things. ANd especially if you are in the room running around pulling up gaff tape to avoid it and they just yank away anyway. I hear your pain :D
What brand did you use on this video?
We buy from a supplier in Vancouver called LOWRY. They have offices in several provinces. They carry name brand tapes.
Thank you sir
Come on in your socks lol.. I was going to use your video for my class.
How'd it go with showing it in your class? Of course at work I'm not in my socks, and certainly now white socks. ha ha
Don't leave your balls of tape all over the ballroom, huh? What, that's not why it's _called_ the ballroom?
You're funny
Haha, thanks, @@AVTechnician! Happy Christmas!
NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use duct tape. It will leave a permanent residue on the cables which will not only be sticky to your hands the next time you use them but the cables will pick up a lot of carpet fiber and dust!
Agree!