Not exactly about picks

[Guesss]

This post isn't exactly about picks but it does have to do with the tool. ANYWAY... i am asking about tape actually. for when i get/make my tool set i want to wrap the handle with some tape for grip/comfort. I know you are thinking just wrap it in tape... well the thing is, is I am goign to make/recieve them out of hacksaw blades and like pyro says it is always handy to have the bottom stay a hacksaw cause you never knwo when you will need one.

so what i am looking for is something durable enough to withstand the balde or at leas cover it but won't leave that gumie crap on it. nothing worse then tape gum on something that you have to hold with you hand.

if i were ever to take the tape off to use the blade part i don't want the gum crap on it.

Does anyone know of a good (cheap like tape) idea out there?

[omelet]

i have to say, if you want no gumminess at all, teflon tape is a remarkable thing. Though, i admit i havent used it in this application and it would take a good amount to put on a pick. It would be comfortable though

[Guesss]

that is a great idea but how expensice is that and where would be the best place to pick something like that up?

also do you think it would stick well to the medal well enough with out balling up or such from use?

but i must say that is a good idea... also as i am think ing about it what do you think about athletic tape. i know it would probabily ballup after use but i think tha it wouldn't gum up so bad.
what do you think about that?

[thertel]

You can get teflon take from a plumbing supplier or most home improvement stores. Though teflon take wouldn't imho be a good choice because its is rather easy to damage. I would try a tool dip or a grip tape, available from your local Wal-Mart in the sporting goods department. It is a black take with a textued surface that would give a nice pick handle and not sarcifice much feel at all.

Thomas

[xodishox]

use selleys, an australian brand, the new tape that they made leaves no sticky residue when you take it off

[Guesss]

that is exactly what i am looking for but can i get it in the US? and if not do you know of a site i can get it off of? also how much is it? also could it withstand use and not loose too much of the feel through the pic?

sorry bout all the questions.. i supose i could just google it, but I am feeling lazy tonight. plus this will help anyone that reads this thread.

[zeke79]

dont use tape as it is not a durable solution. If you must have handles you can buy grip dip. It is a liquid rubber type solution you dip your tools in and let dry. When finished they will have a grip similar to what you would find on a pair of pliers, sidecuts, etc.

[thertel]

You can also get some Silicate powder and mix it into the tool dip you will get a textured grip.

Really it just comes down to what you like.

Thomas

[zeke79]

good call thertel

[PYRO1234321]

Ahhh, i can rember saying that in the video, but i do not really know why, perhaps it was a macgyver thing..... you know "a desert island and only one pick, what would it be?" type of thing. I'm surprised that a bottle opener and a knife edge wasn't suggested there.

I would like to clear the air and say that a pick should be a pick, and a hacksaw shoud be a hacksaw.

As for handles, the best so far for a home made one-piece-quick-and -easy that I have tried is heat shrink on top of a base of textured/designed string or tape. The whole idea is to build up the design or profile of the handle with the material or wrap pattern of choice and then lock it on with heat-shrink. It is not as elegant or structural as steel reinforced however this method can make handles with a samurai sword type of design which does add a lot to the "cool" factor.

The picture below is a simple double rake (wiper blade) with a sloppy layer of rolled teflon tape with radio shack heat-shrink on top (my first try at simple artistic handle design). As you can see, there is lots of room for texture variation based on how the base material is positioned.

[omelet]

if only that were sharp and about 6 feet long...

[Chucklz]

Ive said it before, and I will say it again. Get yourself a roll of Gaffer's tape. It is stronger than most duct tape (well maby not as strong as the aluminum one), leaves no sticky residue, and is all around wonderful stuff. You can get it in a variety of colors (matte black is the most useful, imho). Now, when you buy it, you should be sure to invest in Permacel. It is a fair bit more expensive than the off brands, but the difference is dramatic. I wold expect to pay ~12$ US per roll. You can sometimes find it from hardware stores etc.

http://www.lighttheatrics.com/tape.htm

[Guesss]

I would like to thank everyone that has posted. there have been many many great ideas. Just an fyi to the readers of this thread... out of the posts i have read i think i like the Gaffers idea and also pyro has a great idea with the heat shrink. very good point about being able to ad the grip style and comfort that you may need to keep the hands comfortable on those long traianing days... which i am sure i will have many of being a noob and all.

Also keep the ideas rolling in. i didn't find other threads like this and i think it is important to be comfortable while workin. Also many people on this site make their own picks so home made handle ideas are important.

thank you again for every one that has posted and keep up the ideas...

on person is dumb, two people can think, the masses can invent.
-me

[CaptHook]

Tommy Tape, its a rubber material in roll form. No adhesive, but when stretched, sticks to itself. In approx 24 hours, it kinda cures into a solid piece of rubber. Available at most good hardware stores in the electrical supply section.
Chuck

[MrB]

One person is dumb, two people can think, the masses can invent.

I'm really afraid you have that the wrong way round.

One person can invent, two people will argue, the masses are dumb.

Doesn't that sound more true to life?