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What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

  • 1.  What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Member
    Posted 08-21-2025 08:09

    What materials are you using for travel paper? 

    I've seen the stuff listed for sale specifically as travel paper- but it strikes me as pretty expensive for what is essentially tiny strips of tape- 

    I've heard recommendations of using kraft-moisture activated packing tape- though I haven't had much luck in tracking any down that 

    mentions specifically the thickness- and It'd be great to beable to buy it in different thicknesses. 



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    Michael Baker
    Waldoboro ME
    (207) 975-2448
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  • 2.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-21-2025 08:23
    While it might be advantageous to use some sort of paper that sticks to the flange, in my opinion it's not necessary. A lot of people are going to disagree with me on this, but I use normal everyday paper of various thicknesses. For minor changes I use typing paper. For more aggressive changes I use card stock, like postcards or even a business card. 

    Wim





  • 3.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-21-2025 13:31

    I think the only problem with using paper that doesn't have an adhesive is that if you have to remove the flange for some reason, let's say you're smoothing strike weights or any other such thing, you have to pay attention to whether the paper falls off and I think that's a problem or can create extra work



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    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
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  • 4.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-21-2025 09:00

    If it's a vertical piano's flange, the travel paper must have some adhesive. Packing tape, address labels, etc. are quite acceptable. On the other hand, extra thin or thick paper may be necessary, in which case a tiny dab of glue works well to keep the paper attached.



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    Patrick Draine RPT
    Billerica MA
    (978) 663-9690
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  • 5.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-21-2025 11:02

    I use paper packing tape. I lay down a strip on a poly voicing block I have and then just cut it into thin strips with a razor blade and a straight edge. I can send a photo if needed. 



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    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-21-2025 12:39

    I do much as David. You can buy a roll from Uline that will last you forever. Not much money. You vary the "effect" by varying the width of the tape as well as/or its distance from the screw, as well as the amount you put in, as well as the front/back positioning, etc, etc.  I have been doing this for decades. The only caveat is that it does not stick well to WNG composite parts well. Fortunately they dont seem to need nearly as much attention anyway as wood parts. I would like something better for those. Someone mentioned "metal tape" on another forum. 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-21-2025 12:52

    Here's a great little tool you can use to cut the packing paper from Uline.

    https://www.amazon.com/JIKIOU-Shredder-Portable-Documents-Stationery/dp/B09LCJHVMQ/ref=sr_1_9?crid=1F0BVWK8HQIY4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Pym7YgCdDEZGE8NDjUc-0TvfdwY11FSI738bgkqv2f4PEzjacIn2j1iOnw4jIL4Jiw85L3iSBBg_AEt5kOGPB9a0b2OPo00QS5VLthnyHNRINeg2Qk-9kF_PnZFnJAdAs_RxWIC1i3byJfToG67r_VQNtrbuT2zyiwUZcE8PMmPgmsL_yU41Z6n8kHIvStpNnDdfnECW02gw1ObdFdrjQCa0qzRT89cbQHIISARZa-M.Dlsmv8bR87scc7ay-QkhJwHkRBgDlvCrUu9XQsdPHxM&dib_tag=se&keywords=small+paper+shredder&qid=1755794998&sprefix=small+paper+s%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-9



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    Rick Butler RPT
    The Butler School of Piano Technology
    Bowie MD
    240 396 7480
    RickRickRickRickRick
    ------------------------------



  • 8.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-25-2025 08:11

    Precisely what I used for two thicknesses of wettable adhesive craft paper tape (packaging tape). 

    Thank you for posting the link, Rick. 



    ------------------------------
    Dave Conte, RPT

    Piano Technician in Residence
    The University of Tennessee
    College of Music
    Knoxville TN
    (817) 307-5656
    Owner: Rocky Top Piano
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Member
    Posted 08-21-2025 13:16
    I use paper tape as well.  Also, there are evidently some nifty scissors that will cut strips just the right width for travel paper. I don't have them nor do I have any more info other than Ferd Pointer had some that he told me about. Said they were great. Might be worth a bit of searching.

    Deb

    5 Tarr's Lane WEST
    Rockport, MA  01966
    978-546-8428





  • 10.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-21-2025 13:26

    An electric envelope opener can also produce made-to-order strips of traveling paper.



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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-22-2025 11:57
    For years I have used these to cut paper packing tape. They are available as julienne scissors from assorted retailers at various prices.




  • 12.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Member
    Posted 08-21-2025 17:18

    For those using paper tape (or others you like) which brand/model specifically?



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    Michael Baker
    Waldoboro ME
    (207) 975-2448
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  • 13.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-22-2025 00:46

    On Amazon, search for "Kraft paper tape"

    There are many options. I chose 1" wide tape. Holds better than masking tape, and has a better, firmer consistency. 



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    David Stocker, RPT
    Olympia WA
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  • 14.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-23-2025 01:24

    I like using thin post-it notes, cut to the appropriate size. They stay in place and work well.



    Best,

    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT

    Piano Technician / Artisan 

    (256) 947-9999

    www.professional-piano-services.com

    www.FromZeroToSixFiguresBook.com





  • 15.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-24-2025 18:36

    The Kraft paper tape that David mentioned cannot be improved upon, really. It seems like almost all of the [130] years of pianos that we see have used that type of shipping tape. For us, cutting up a life-time supply doesn't take long at all. Usually one can predict when [2] of them might be a better first guess than one alone.



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    David Patterson RPT
    Newmarket ON
    (416) 638-0901
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  • 16.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-25-2025 11:28
    You can also glue two strips of the mailing tape together, allowing one application of the travel paper when two thicknesses are needed.

    Joe Wiencek
    NYC




  • 17.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-23-2025 07:26

    This manual paper shredder cuts strips that work. I use whatever thickness works for the desired effect. Card stock, file folders, advertising. Unglued paper can be moved around as where the paper is placed under the flange is a factor. Check it out:

    JIKIOU Mini Hand Shredder Portable Paper Shredder Manual Shredder Documents Paper Cutting Tool Home Office Desktop Stationery Christmas Birthday Gift Blue https://a.co/d/dR45Lzm



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    Stewart Freedman, RPT
    Freedman Piano Service
    Akron, OH
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  • 18.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-23-2025 11:14

    The problem with shims that do not adhere to the flange us that if you do strike weight calibration you will be removing and reinstalling these shanks at least once...often twice (unless of course I'm doing something wrong which could very well be the case). I want those shims to be right where they were when I take them off. 

    If accurate SWC is not being done then its not an issue at that moment. But it might be down the line...

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------



  • 19.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-23-2025 11:52

    I, too, use traveling paper with adhesive on it.

    To Peter's point, hammer assemblies may also need to be removed from their rail to address center pinning concerns. It can be disconcerting to go through the pinning process and discover stray pieces of traveling paper on the workbench or floor. Good luck getting them back on the correct flanges and in the correct position on those flanges!



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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
    ------------------------------



  • 20.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Posted 08-23-2025 12:26

    I still use typewriter correction paper.  Always have.  Regards, Norman.



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    Norman Brickman
    Potomac Piano Service
    Potomac, Maryland
    potomacpiano@verizon.net
    https://potomacpiano.com
    (301) 983.9321
    ------------------------------



  • 21.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-23-2025 14:17

    I know it's expensive but it last a good while and it's easy to use. I use the green and the blue. I've not needed the red.

    https://www.pianoteile.com/en/product/detail?productNumber=172311



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    Karl Roeder
    Pompano Beach FL
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  • 22.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-24-2025 00:35
      |   view attached

    Post-It Labeling & Cover up Tape, 1/6" wide.



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    Scott Cole, RPT
    rvpianotuner.com
    Talent, OR
    (541-601-9033
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  • 23.  RE: What materials are you using for Travel Paper?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-24-2025 06:59

    This discussion got me looking and I came across this:

    Custom Shop Vinyl Fineline Pinstripe Tape 

     https://a.co/d/7xgXj7H

    Automotive pinstriping tape. I'm wondering...

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
    ------------------------------