Valuable extra uses for painters tape (Masking tape)

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In my shop, you'll always find one of these somewhere within arms reach.
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ScotchBlue Painter's Tape, Advanced Multi-Surface, .94-Inch by 60-Yard

Painters tape is great for masking a finish or glue but there are so many other uses for it.

The main reason we love it?

It's only a few thousandths of an inch thick so you can use it to micro adjust anything.

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Cross cut sled

​Your crosscut sled will give you a perfect 90 degree cut right?

If not - Stick painter's tape between the fence and the stock to dial in that perfect cut.

Micro adjusting your sled with painters tape

Precision shim's

​Let's say, you need a 1/16" spacer for a jig.

You cut it and there's a small gap so what do you do?

• Cut another piece, hoping you get it right?
• Add a piece of painters tape to dial in that perfect thickness...

Adjusting the thickness of your shims

Loose fitting jigs

​Let's say, you cut 2 identical parts but one's a little loose in your jig.

A little painter's tape around the fitting edge will fix that.

No need to make another piece or adjust the jig.

Router step lines

​When you're routing through a workpiece, you should do it in steps.

Once you're done, you'll see faint lines from each step.

To avoid that, use painters tape on the fence until your final pass.

Remove the tape, make a final finishing pass to clean up those lines and it'll look like you cut through in 1 pass.

Compensating for router step lines

Mitered joints

​I love this one.

Stick a few pieces of painters tape to the outside of a miter joint.

Apply glue and close the joint to pull it tight together.

Alignment will be perfect with no outside glue squeeze out.

Peel off the tape when you're done.

Even more therapeutic when you're doing a grain wrap.

Perfect miters using painters tape

Holding a workpiece

​If you don't have a workbench with bench dog's, securing a workpiece can be tricky.

If you need to rout something clamps get in the way and that's if you can get them to reach.

The solution?

Stick some painters tape on the sides of your workpiece. One vertical on the workpiece and one on the bench next to it.

Run hot glue between them. Once it sets you've locked your workpiece down.

No holes, no clamps and no damage to your bench.

When you're done, peel back the tape and the hard glue will come with it.

Securing a straight edge

​Need to use a straight edge in the middle of a workpiece?

Clamps wont reach and you don't want to create and fill holes in the project piece.

Painters tape and hot glue to the rescue...

Labeling components

​Working on a complex piece?

Make sure you know where everything goes.

Hand written notes on painters tape will clarify what goes where.

When you're done, peel off the tape and you're good to go.

Sand before applying a finish to remove any tape residue.

Labelling your workpiece components with painters tape

Reducing tear out

​The best solution is to use a sacrificial wood scrap.

When that's not an option, painter's tape will reduce tear out.

Apply tape to the outside of the cut and it'll support those wood fibers.

You'll have a much better cut quality and less clean up to do.

An extra pair of hands

​Often you need to hold something in place for a moment so you can take a look from another angle.

Here you can often use painters tape to hold something in position for you.

An extra pair of hands

Correcting a worn jig

​Even when using stable materials like MDF or plywood, your jigs can move.

Wear and tear, expansion, contraction and screw movement.

You could replace the old one but what if you don't have time?

Pull out your painters tape and make a quick alteration.

Jig adjustments using painters tape

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