I see Kapton tape mentioned in many articles used in installing DCC etc. I can find sources for this tape on mail order, but surely someone locally must carry this stuff. Radio Shack is clueless. Where else would you suggest I look for this stuff locally (types of businesses)?
Otherwise, if I must send away, what are your suggestions for sources. I see that Amazon has it.
I don't think you're going to have any luck at all locating a "local source" for Kapton tape. Kapton tape is so specialized that Radio Shack or any other store doesn't have a clue what you're looking for.
Some DCC installers such as Litchfield Station sell it. I bought a roll from Mouser Electronics years ago. It is very expensive compared to other types of electrical tape and is sold only by the roll from places such as Litchfield, who charges $10 per roll plus postage.
http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php?cat=173
By typing "Kapton tape" into Google, several sources show up. The cheapest price I saw was from the following company, but notice the statement that it ships from a warehouse in China. They offer free shipping, but there are also several caveats about transit time, their being closed for the Chinese New Year, etc.
http://www.meritline.com/high-temperature-kapton-tape---p-58853.aspx?source=fghdac
If you have an e-Bay account and just type Kapton tape into their search function several sources show up ranging in price from around $3 per roll to over $20 per roll.
Thanks for the reply. I think I will order from Amazon since I get free shipping and 2 day delivery. A 1/2" x 36yd roll is $12.76 which should last me for quite a while. Kind of expensive (but so is adding sound decoders).
Hi everyone:
Pardon my ignorance but what is Kapton tape and what are the advantages to using it?
Thanks
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Kapton tape is a very thin, high dielectric tape that is used during decoder installations because it sticks much better and longer than other electrical tapes, and is so thin that you can see through it.
Hergy A 1/2" x 36yd roll is $12.76 which should last me for quite a while.
A 1/2" x 36yd roll is $12.76 which should last me for quite a while.
Get the narrower 1/4 inch roll if they have it -- I have ran into situations where 1/2 inch would be too wide to fit.
Considering most decoder installs use an inch or two, yeah, 36 yards should last a LONG time.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
cacole Kapton tape is a very thin, high dielectric tape that is used during decoder installations because it sticks much better and longer than other electrical tapes, and is so thin that you can see through it.
The reason it sticks longer than regular electrical tape is because the Kapton tapes adhesive does not deteriorate over time with exposure to heat from motors etc.
Plumbing supply store. It's commonly used to wrap threaded pipes.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
I suppose you could give Amazon the extra profit, or you could order it from McMaster-Carr. (www.mcmaster.com) 1/2 x 36yds is about 4 bucks and change. Order all your small taps, drills and so on from them. If they don't have it, you don't need it.
Lou
DigitalGriffin Plumbing supply store. It's commonly used to wrap threaded pipes.
NO -- Kapton tape is not the same as the white Teflon tape used on water pipe threads!
http://www.kaptontape.com/
cacole DigitalGriffin: Plumbing supply store. It's commonly used to wrap threaded pipes. NO -- Kapton tape is not the same as the white Teflon tape used on water pipe threads! http://www.kaptontape.com/
DigitalGriffin: Plumbing supply store. It's commonly used to wrap threaded pipes.
Quite right you are Cole. I got the two mixed up.
You best options would definatly be Amazon, about 10$ and free shipping.
In the past I have also ran into project where I needed narrow rolls of like 1/8" and 2/8", these need people with machine that can cut the tape. Find these guys online, they were pretty fast on custom sized Kapton tape.
For my personal experience, The price and quality are very competitive in Asia like Singapore and China. I have bought Kapton tape from Toyotape for several times. This company is a professional silicone-coated Dupont Kapton® tape supplier, along with an extensive line of pressure-sensitive tapes for use in diverse industrial applications worldwide.
Here is the photo of What I get Kapton tape
Not everyone agrees with me, but I am not a big fan of answering questions that were asked 10 years ago. However I alway welcome new participation in the forum.
Do you actually use kapton tape that big? It looks a foot wide. Can I assume that is what is called PI tape in your links?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley