Introduction: Duct Tape Dispenser From a Tin Can!

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About: Retired, doing art work now. Great. Have the time and the money to spend doing what I want to do.

In order to enter the duct tape contest, I had to put on my thinking cap....not made of duct tape, by the way, and the only thing I could come up with is a dispenser for the duct tape which can be used by anyone wanting to make all these other questionable projects...Seriously, is there any item at all that really makes any sense? Made of duct tape?  Mr Balleng's ible https://www.instructables.com/id/White-Water-Pouches/ is the prettiest and will probably win the contest, but all that work for those cases?  Just put the maps in the ziplock bag, insert in back pack....duh!  I think we are forcing the issue of using this tape for various things. I have found exactly ONE (1) use for the tape that couldn't be done by another product....and i was in the Marine Corps (never once saw a roll of duct tape), worked many jobs in the forest products industry, sawmills, have been a handyman all my life, and just never came across this tape.  Oh, the use I found for it was to seal my shop vacuum cleaner as over the years the gasket sealing the unit failed, and a leaky vacuum just doesn't cut it.  I have included a picture of that to illustrate that usuage.  So on with the dispenser. (If you have read this far you are obviously under the spell of the duct tape wizard, whatever that might be!)

Step 1: Materials Needed

1.  Boards cut to size, that being large enough to accomodate your roll of duct tape.
2.  One tin can (I used the 14oz. pork and bean size can....fits the roll of duct tape,and other tapes as well, perfectly!
3.  Assorted dry wall screws.
4.  Various saws,drills, bits, etc.

Step 2: Cut Boards to Size

Boards are cut to fit tape roll, so dimensions are not necessary. See photos.  Two boards are cut from old fence material, plywood pieces for top and back piece are cut to fit as shown.

Step 3: Cut Holes for Tin Can to Fit Into

I used my bandsaw for this...I suppose they make a hole saw this large, but I didn't have one.

Step 4: Place Tape on Can, Insert in Holes Cut

Line up all pieces to fit top and back pieces of plywood.

Step 5: Screw on Side Pieces

Side pieces are screwed in place, obviously needed to keep can and tape roll in place.

Step 6: Add Cut-Off Bar to Dispenser

A piece of wood is cut on an angle as shown on the table saw.  Cut a piece that fits the two side pieces of the dispenser.

Step 7: Provide Holder for Razor Knife

To secure a knife to the dispenser, I drilled two holes, and glued two magnets in place to hold knife and always have it available.

Step 8: Use Knife to Cut Pieces to Length

Self-explanatory.

Step 9: Add Final Piece for Clamping Dispenser

This piece is optional, but is a way to attach dispenser to bench or table in the camp site.  You could also screw this "base" to a fence post, or wall, cupboard, or shelf.  It's useful to be able to pull off piece of tape with just one hand and cut to the length you need.

Step 10: Change/Add Tape

Dispenser could be used as portable source for other types of paint...masking tape, for example, wrapping tape, box tape, fabric tape, etc. To change or add tape, simply unscrew one of the side pieces, pull out can, insert new tape roll, and re-attach side piece.

Step 11: Companion Piece to Original Dispenser!

I had made this dispenser a few years ago so the portable dispenser was a natural. See: https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-an-Easy-to-use-Tape-Dispenser/

The Great Outdoors Duct Tape Contest

Finalist in the
The Great Outdoors Duct Tape Contest