Duct Tape Dispenser

Duct Tape is an indispensible tool for every maker. It is strong, it sticks like crazy and it’s easy to cut. It would be even better if it had a holder, such that it is easy and convenient to tear off a piece. That’s what we’ll build in this Instructable!

If you like the project, please vote for it in the Stick it! contest.

Step 1: Parts & Tools

Parts

Wooden board 3/4" thick (19 mm)

Piece of 2 x 4" (50 mm)

M4 threaded rod

BLUNT razor blade

Small screw

Tools

CNC

3D printer

Sander

Drill

Screwdriver

This project can easily be made with scrap wood you have laying around. You can combine different kinds of wood like I did, or stick with one type. If you don't have access to a CNC, you could just as well use a manual router, or even handtools, instead.

Step 2: Routing the Base

We start this project by designing the whole structure in a CAD program. We will use Fusion360, since it also allows us to do the CAM to generate the toolpaths for the CNC machine. The source files are included, such that you can make changes and customize it to your preferences.

I designed the base to be made out of 3 pieces of wood: a piece of 2x4" (50 mm thick) in the middle and two 3/4" (19 mm) boards as sides. This makes for easier and faster milling operations and uses scraps of wood I had laying around. The hub which holds the roll of duct tape will be 3D printed.

The CAM setup is pretty easy. Instructables has a very nice class on this to learn the basics, so I will not cover them in detail here. The middle part is a simple 2D contour operation, while the sides have a 3D pocket operation followed by a 2D contour cut.

To mill the pieces, I fixed them to my CNC with hot glue. I found this to be plenty strong as workholding, and it avoids the possibility of machining into your clamps. Sand your pieces of wood first if they are rough. As always, take it easy on your feeds and speeds, and test them out on a scrap piece first.

Step 3: Assembling the Base

The milled pieces can now be assembled to form the base of our duct tape dispenser. Start by giving them a light sanding to take off the rough edges left by the milling process. Next, apply some wood glue and clamp the pieces together. When the glue is fully dry, we can sand the whole assembly and create nice smooth surfaces. I went from 80 grid to 220 grid sandpaper. The wood can now be finished as you like. I applied a simple coat of mineral oil, since that was what I had on hand.

To cut the duct tape, we will now add a razor blade. DO NOT use a brand new blade, it would be too dangerous! I used a very blunt one, and it does the job nicely. Drill a small (2 mm) pilot hole in the middle of the base and attach the razor blade such that it touches the small ridge. This keeps the blade from spinning when force is applied.

Step 4: Making the Hub

As mentioned before, the hub is 3D printed. Start by slicing the wheel and send it to your printer; a 0.3 mm layer height will do just fine. When the print is done, a 60 mm piece of 4 mm threaded rod can be inserted. The tape can now be slid over it and mounted in the base. It should slide in easily and lock itself into place.

Step 5: Enjoy

The Duct Tape dispenser is now ready to use and makes it easy to take a piece off duct tape with one hand. This project was inspired by a video from Make, but since they didn’t provide any source files I decided to make my own version and share all necessary files here.

I hope you liked the project! Feel free to check out my other Instructables: https://www.instructables.com/member/ThomasVDD/

Comments

[ForrestErickson]

Regarding, "Instructables has a very nice class on this to learn the basics, so I will not cover them in detail here."

The internet and even Instructables has a near infinite number of rabbet holes down which to go. Provide an exact link to what you are thinking.

[Componenx]

Great idea! My only change would be using gaffer tape instead of duct tape. Both have their uses, but I hate the way duct tape dries out and leaves a film, either crusty or gummy. The removability of gaff tape is what I particularly like. Adhesive not strong enough, you say? Try racer's tape. It's like gaff tape, but with really strong adhesive.

[wjcarpenter]

Obligatory pedantic comment: DUCK tape, not DUCT tape. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape

:-)

[amjfrankenstein]

gotta chime in the brand Duck made this tape in early 1900's to be used to waterproof world war 1 ammo canisters/containers if you have ever tried using non metallic duct tape on ducts it will fall off within a year almost guaranteed. possibility of the actual origins are tricky due to usa military contracts and manufacturers not being disclosed outside of the military itself

[TDJ2591]

A direct quote from the cited Wikipedia article:

According to etymologist Jan Freeman, the story that duct tape was originally called duck tape is "quack etymology" that has spread "due to the reach of the Internet and the appeal of a good story" but "remains a statement of faith, not fact." She notes that duct tape is not made from duck cloth and there is no known primary-source evidence that it was originally referred to as duck tape. Her research does not show any use of the phrase "duck tape" in World War II, and indicates that the earliest documented name for the adhesive product was "duct tape" in 1960. The phrase "duck tape" to refer to an adhesive product does not appear until the 1970s and was not popularized until the 1980s, after the Duck brand became successful and after the New York Times referred to and defined the product under the name "duct tape" in 1973

[wjcarpenter]

Hey, I'm an American. We don't like to be confused by facts.

[Dawsie]

depends what country your in as to how you say and spell it I have seen it spelt both ways.

[gmh5760]

Not really. Duct tape is a product while Duck Tape is a brand name. If you look up "Duck Tape" you will find "Duck Tape brand duct tape".

It is simply commonly misused and has since become generally accepted as appropriate, although it is incorrect. There are quite a few other products out there that are likewise misspoken, such as Band-Aid, Q-Tip and Kleenex (adhesive bandage, cotton swab and tissue).

[wjcarpenter]

The company and the trademark for modern Duck Tape brand tape is relatively recent (1970s). The Duck Tape trademark came in 1980. Even though they call themselves "the original Duck Tape", they had nothing to do with the other origins being discussed. I guess they must mean "the original officially-called and registered trademarked Duck Tape".

https://www.duckbrand.com/about

[jessyratfink]

I need one of these! My partner likes to duct tape all the things :P

[buildandsewandstuff]

This looks great! I have more trouble with clear packing tape, and this looks like it would work very well for that, too. I wonder if a piece of the cutting edge from a box of aluminum foil would be strong enough to work in place of the razor blade?

[dwayne.radican]

I seen several designs for DIY tape dispensers that use a piece of old hacksaw blade for the cutter. Simply cut to lengths, drill, and mount as you would the razor in this design.

[MattM370]

like Maurilio said, don't need cnc or 3d printer. this one's a couple steps down from the original and made from excess length from the legs of my attic ladder (explains the angle). it's right side up on my computer. don't know why it looks upside down when i upload it. glued and nailed on the other side, but screwed in on this side for refilling. cut another one from some treated 1x4s i made a fence out of. haven't assembled it yet. doubt it would be weather proof.

[67chevl]

For those that don't have a 3D printer, I believe the hub from a painters masking tool (puts masking tape on paper) or as mentioned below, a regular packing tape dispenser. The cutting edge on either of these tools should work as well. One might even be able to take the handle off the packing tape dispenser and mount it in the wood base as shown here. Great idea and nice write up.

[keet shagoon]

How do I view the Ducktape+holder.f3d file? I don't have any autocad applications on my computer.

[ThomasVDD]

You can open it with Fusion360, it's free to download.

[timsbro2000]

“Indispensable”?

Not any more!!

[V2winryder]

Very nice. I think I'll add a layer of concrete at the bottom to give it some weight. If there's no weight, it will just slide when you try to strip some tape, still requiring two hand use.

Good job.

[Wrrr 10-G]

That's almost exactly what I thought: single hand use is obligatory. It needs weight!

[KeithFromCanada]

This should be made from concrete!