Well, the whole reason I found ETS was that I'm doing research and trying to put together a PSK for my vehicle.

As I'm putting the kit together, I'm using a lot of ideas from ETS and a few other random places, but I found that I actually came up with one on my own, so I figured I'd share it and see what everybody else thinks of it:

Most PSKs include some duct and vinyl electrical tape in them, either as mini-rolls or folded flat. I tried making a mini-roll myself and the durn things just wouldn't roll straight enough.

But then I had a brainstorm, and it seemed to work pretty well - I used an old WalMart gift card as a core and wound 10' of duct tape around it. Finished thickness is about 1/4", and of course, the length and height are only slightly larger than the card itself; I can almost carry one of these in my wallet.

If I were to trim the cards length by about 1/4"-3/8" before rolling, I probably COULD carry one of these in my wallet, especially if I went with only 5' of tape instead of 10' to decrease the finished thikness.

I did the same thing with vinyl electrical tape and wound two 10' lengths around a single card, side by side.

I don't know what other uses these cards couild be put to in the field after the tape is all used, but there's got to be something.

Hey, I use the same thing for my duct-tape. I carry them in my PSK's and FAK's.

Tongue-depressors to put duct-tape, electricians-tape, medical-tape and dental floss on also work.

Good idea thanks

You could even use $5 or $10 cards to wal-mart that have the $ still on them just in case you need to stop in to wal-mart slide the card out (Use the first piece around it backwards so the card can come out)

"... cards...that have the $ still on them..."

That is what I was going to say. Little bit of emergency money, just in case...

ps: Welcome Newguy...

You can squeeze both types of tape on the same card by wrapping it around the card "the short way" instead of "the long way".

Just put one of these in my wife's purse the other day, she found it and just rolled her eyes. She loves me but thinks I'm a nut... oh well.

Look for those fake credit cards that come in the mail. I've used several to flat pack tape. Now I've got duct tape stashed all over the place.

^ That's what I do, it works well.

Kinda OT, but somebody was looking for flat duct tape with a non-stick backing for their PSK. This post reminded me of that. I just noticed today that Coghlans now sells it, never saw it before. It's a tad larger than a credit card, but similar idea.

Duct tape with a nonstick backing......

Owwwwww.... There idea of non-sticky duct tape hurts my brain. Please tell me I'm going in the wrong direction with this image.



WillCAD, you can turn them into spoons for fishing, use them as part of a trigger in a trap, tinder, get it wet and it might almost be shiny if you have nothing else, bobbin to hold improvised/found cordage (found a whole snarl of monofiliment on the side of a stream a few weeks ago, I'd really like a word with who ever left that), kindling (emergency only), a catcher under a board if you are using a firebow to keep ground moisture away from your spark, as part of a patch in a rigid plastic container that has been damaged, patch if you wear a hole in the sole of your shoe, miniature bullroarer to get attention and/or to attact lunch....

60 seconds, no duplication

The tape back is sticky, but the paper backing stuck to it isn't. I'm sticking to that explanation.

Personally, I don't exactly understand this stuff. I find it more of a nuisance to use than regular tape without backing, but then I'm not the most coordinated guy... I guess it has its uses since lots of tape is (inexplicably to me) available this way.

Oh, that's easy. Most adhesives have a hard time sticking to super slick materials. Like wax or certain plastics.

Now, hard would be something like duct tape, just as strong and versatile, but dry, so you have to add moisture (lick) like you do with a proper stamp or envelope. THAT would be cool.

Great idea. However, I'm not as keen on gift cards as some...especially for emergencies. There are a myriad of terms stores have and they seem to change by the minute. The expirations are horrific many times as well. I now use gift cards immediately whereas before I thought I'd save them for times when money gets tight. No more. Put cash in your kits. It doesn't expire, and you can also use it without penalty when the moon is in Virgo.

I've used an old card to flat pack duck tape too. Word to the wise, you should probably avoid the wallet carry. That's how I carried my tape, and my body heat caused the glue to melt. The duck tape was permanently attached to my wallet (had to cut it out) and left my wallet a gummy mess. I'm not going to ruin another wallet trying that again.

You could also wrap up a needle in the duct tape on the card for safety purposes, or even a razor blade.

Wrap the needle or razor blade in a bit of waxed paper or parchment paper 1st to avoid a dangerous (perhaps bloody) attempt to extract it!