What normal stores sell gaffers tape?

I was looking on line at the usual places with no luck (home depot, office max) and don't want to drive all over town looking for a $5 item. Any suggestions on where I can pick up a roll?

Silly question, I know :) I appreciate the time you guys can save me though!

I get mine from Calumet Camera. It seems to only be sold at camera shops or video supply houses. Any big camera store should carry it or order it over the web.

Jim C

Hi Jim,

Thanks for taking the time to post. I was hoping for a local store but guess that's too much to hope for. I ended up buying some velcro at office max tog et the job done.

Thanks again.

http://www.smsprod.com/expendables/expendables2.html

Maybe a local music store? that specializes in heavy duty equipment or stage equipment

Also found this

Calumet Chicago
Address:
520 W. Erie
Chicago , IL 60610
Phone/Fax/Pager: 312-440-4920
Credits: (Permacel gaffers tape, Rosco products, lamps, Lowell & Matthews, Minolta & Sekonic meters)

Chicago Spotlight, Inc. is located in Chicago and ready to serve your lighting needs.
Stop by our facility to talk to one of our lighting professionals.

Chicago Spotlight, Inc.
1658 West Carroll Street
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312)455-1171
Fax: (312)455-1744

Hope this helps some how...sure it won't be as useful as your flash advice ;)

There are two other ways I know of too get Gaffers Tape. One is buying ends. Most lighting supply or rental places will have boxes of partial rolls and will sell you enough (you usually have to buy a whole box for 15 to twenty bucks) to last a loooong time.

Secondly, 3M makes an autobody tape that is really cool. I think its number 3910 or 3390, and it is sometimes called 200mph tape. It will stick like anything and comes off VERY clean. Its actually meant to go on over soft paint and decals and not rip them off. I've used it in emergencies. Almost any NAPA or the like autostore seems to carry it and they'll usually get in an hour two or so it seems. It has one disadvantage, I can't get it to tear as easily.

- C

Part II

Calumet will probably charge and arm and a leg. You might try

Grand Stage Lighting
630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 312-332-5611

This is a pro video and lighting supplier.

-C

Trevor...When I posted before I didn't notice you were from Gurnee. There isn't any big camera shops up north by you that I know of but in Chicago there are lots of big camera stores to get the tape from. I go to Helix on Damen south of Madison . They do a lot of rental work and might be a source of the half rolls talked about earlier. You could call them and see if they do sell their half used rolls. Might save a bit on the gas money spent coming into the city.

Calumet in Chicago and also Bensenville are the only two places I can think of - I usually mail order my stuff and have never seen it in my town. Either place isn't really "local" to Gurnee, and it will probably be more than $5!

I never thought about a music place, but a good one that's not too far from Gurnee is Gand Music and Sound. They do a lot of big pro rental stuff for concerts and festivals, including lighting trusses, etc.

Gand

I get gafffer tape at Costco or our local motor store.
The local motor parts shop is 500 yards away, and opens 8am-10pm.
Costco is 1/2 the price, 25 miles away :)

Just checking bust is Duct tape and Gaffer tape the same stuff, vinyl-coated cotton cloth tape comes in silver black...

If so I used to buy it at Wal Mart when I used to visit the US. In the UK any of the home DIY sell it for a couple of pound for a 3m roll

One big difference with G-Tape. It won't leave a residue when you remove it - that's why it's more expensive (or at least why people pay more for it...). Pretty similar other than that, and it's usually black. I've never seen it at the home centers around here in the 'States though.

For what it's worth, I never found it in any home type stores. I ended up ordering some online though.