Pepe Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 What kind of tape is best or good enough for making polytarp sails. I was thinking use 2 sided tape and sew with sewing machine over it. Foam tapes are expensive and too thick. Would some kind on carpet tape be good? Or just use duckt tape and sew on it? Sail is for pdracer. Thanks Perttu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAR Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Carpet tape is the way to go. Sewing over the tape will gum up the needle fairly quickly, so prepare for it. I don't know if the old "poly tarp" site is up and running again, but they had recommendations for brands of tape, suggested from their primitive testing results. I think they were getting on Goggle, but don't know for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Pyeatt Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 If you spray the needle frequently with a silicone spray you will not have any problems sewing thru the two-sided carpet tape and the poly tarp material. The site for PolySail kits and instructions in addition to the aforementioned duct tape tests. http://www.polysail.com/ If you are looking for white poly tarps, here is a source I use quite often: http://www.tarps.com/white.htm If you are looking for white duct tape: http://www.identi-tape.com/duct.html The white gaffer's tape will hold up well for a couple seasons. Although it does begin to yellow a little with UV exposure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maligno Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 I stopped using double-sided tape when I sewed my sails because of needle gumming. What I did was to hand sew a loose running stitch to hold the folds in place before machine sewing. Also if I have to make new sails for my Weekender out of polytarp again I will minimize if not eliminate the V-darts and roaches. Later I had to sew a fold in the luff of the jib to flatten it. The main is faring better because it can be shaped with the gaff but I still find it a bit baggy at the lower half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepe Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Good notes. I tested and found that I cant sew througt the tape. Maby with the silikone or I thihk I left the edge of tarp out of tape and sew throught that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Lathrop Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 I bought a roll of double sided tape from a local sailmaker and had no problems sewing through it. I was working with ripstop nylon. I'm not good enough with a sewing machine to sew good seams in sailcloth without some kind of aid such as tape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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