Are they terrible or am I using it wrong?

    • SloppyJoe@toast.ooo
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      15 days ago

      100% and figuring out how tight that tension bolt needs to be for the tape you are using.

    • AlphaOmega@lemmy.world
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      15 days ago

      Where I work, we use the cheapest tape known to man. It’s pretty much 50/50 if they work or you spend 30 seconds fixing it. Helps if you adjust the tensioner…

      • 🇰 🌀 🇱 🇦 🇳 🇦 🇰 🇮 @pawb.social
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        15 days ago

        If the tape itself sucks and doesn’t actually stick to anything, it really doesn’t matter if the tape holder is good or cheap. Most of the time, the real issue with the dispenser is the blade has become dull and won’t properly cut. But if the dispenser is of decent quality, the blade is easily replaced and/or sharpened. Not that any employer actually spends time or money doing basic maintenance of their own equipment…

  • scarabic@lemmy.world
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    15 days ago

    It takes some practice, and you have to understand how the blade engages based on the angle you’re holding it at. If you can figure that out, these are awesome. It doesn’t even have to be a fancy one or more expensive tape.

  • Macaroni_ninja@lemmy.world
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    15 days ago

    Bought one when moved to a different country and had to pack a lots of big boxes.

    Its great time saver, only downside is how god awful loud they can be.

    • polle@feddit.org
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      15 days ago

      I felt dumb at some point to put hearing protection on for using these things. But they are actually realling fucking loud.

  • Mayor Poopington@lemmy.world
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    15 days ago

    You got one of the nice ones there. Play with the tension on the wheel. If it’s too tight the blue metal piece will bend and that causes the tape to slide off. If it’s an old worm out tape gun, you can bend that blue metal back pretty easily.

  • 0li0li@lemmy.world
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    15 days ago

    A triangle shaped thumb nail and the tape roll alone is all you need to be lightning fast. Seen pros do it for a living, so I had to try. Beats these things by a mile!

  • Lembot_0004@discuss.online
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    15 days ago

    They are super cool. They can be used with only one hand for any sealing-related jobs. But you need to practice with them for 5-10 minutes before it “clicks”

  • EvilFonzy@lemmy.world
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    15 days ago

    The ones where the plastic shield pressing against the box makes the little teeth plunge into the tape are friggin’ orgasmic.

    • Jarix@lemmy.world
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      15 days ago

      I prefer static blades imo there are better for a wider variety of situations.

      But I’ve that could be the dynamic nature of things I use tape on. The pressure ones are absolutely wonderful for their intended task though. Although not Jean creamingly if you are me

      • ivanafterall ☑️@lemmy.world
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        15 days ago

        Although not Jean creamingly if you are me

        Edit: I finally understand. “Jean-creamingly.” Ejaculating in denim, not a first name. 10-4.

        • Jarix@lemmy.world
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          14 days ago

          Did not realize it capitalized that word. I really need to remember to proof read the shit I post online… Maybe I’ll learn my lesson … One day

  • blattrules@lemmy.world
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    15 days ago

    The only way I’ve been able to get these things to work is to put my thumb on the tape roll so it stops rolling out and I can cut it with the blade part. I have historically had the same issue as you though.

      • scutiger@lemmy.world
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        15 days ago

        You shouldn’t need to do that, but a lot of people do.

        Instead, when you apply the tape, roll it away a little bit to get the end to stick, and then pull on it to unroll. When you’re done, press the flat end down and twist the tape gun into the tape to cut it cleanly.

        Once you’ve the the technique down, it’s very efficient.

      • blattrules@lemmy.world
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        15 days ago

        I felt the same way for the longest time and then I decided to try that. It’s probably like training wheels, but it at least works for me now.

        • MotoAsh@lemmy.world
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          15 days ago

          It’s supposed to be taped ‘to’ something by the time the blade is supposed to get involved. The object should be doing the holding of the tape unless it’s just super light.

          Still a bit annoying if you only need a length of tape not stuck to something, but then that’s precisely not what it’s designed for.

          • blattrules@lemmy.world
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            15 days ago

            My issue is that it was always the wrong angle no matter what I tried and would never rip on the teeth. Holding my thumb on the tape stops me from looking like an idiot and accidentally pulling way more tape out when I try to cut it.

            • MotoAsh@lemmy.world
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              15 days ago

              Ahh yeah, I’ve had plenty of issues with that too. I’ve no idea when it started to just work for me. I just started to give ‘er an angled yank and it started working. It kinda’ reminds me of the stories of how F1 cars perform. They have so much down force that you pretty much have to rocket through the corners to keep grip up. If you try to tip-toe up to the edge like with a normal car, you’ll just slide out before you reach peak performance, bacause faster means more grip.

              Like with the tape guns, I think some require you to be a bit rough with it and the little flappy plastic thing, or else it doesn’t bite enough to cut the tape.