Splicing Gel
- Thread starterDHSLXOP
- Start date
Masking tape wouldn't be what you're looking for--if it's not unsafe (which it may well be), it's certainly going to lessen your output.
You can find clear gel (high-heat) tape out there specifically for this purpose. I'd bet someone like City Theatrical makes it. Lemme take a look.
To reiterate: no good!
edit: I was wrong, they just do blacktak. Here's rosebrand's stuff. http://www.rosebrand.com/product870/A+E-J-Lar-910-Tape.aspx?cid=206&idx=885&tid=1&info=Specialty
You can find clear gel (high-heat) tape out there specifically for this purpose. I'd bet someone like City Theatrical makes it. Lemme take a look.
To reiterate: no good!
edit: I was wrong, they just do blacktak. Here's rosebrand's stuff. http://www.rosebrand.com/product870/A+E-J-Lar-910-Tape.aspx?cid=206&idx=885&tid=1&info=Specialty
JD
Well-Known Member
Are you talking about sandwiching or splicing? On modern gels, I would just overlap them a bit and use the frame to hold them in place. Gel tape is best if you have it handy. Nothing is going to look pretty if it is in view, but out of view, I would just overlay it a bit. (Unless its a scoop or something very large.)
I've found that any good quality clear 2" cello tape performs acceptably. Here's some from a specialty company, but product from your local office supply store should work just fine.
Especially with gobos, experiment with two different colors, the splice running diagonally, or a checkerboard pattern of four squares. Or my favorite trick, learned from Tom Skelton, a saturated color donut.
Now, if I were making my own gelstrings for scrollers--since it's such a labor intensive process, I would use the J-Lar 910, or manufacturer-recommended tape.
Any non-transparent tape is a definite no-no.
Especially with gobos, experiment with two different colors, the splice running diagonally, or a checkerboard pattern of four squares. Or my favorite trick, learned from Tom Skelton, a saturated color donut.
Now, if I were making my own gelstrings for scrollers--since it's such a labor intensive process, I would use the J-Lar 910, or manufacturer-recommended tape.
Any non-transparent tape is a definite no-no.
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Brilliant2007
Member
I have been using Scotch tape for many many years and have never had a problem. I've used it for taping color together...making split frames...and even custom scrolls. I've never had a problem...EVER!!
Wow...Little did I know that I was in the minority about taping gel together...waste of time and money IMHO.
And for the record Color Doughnuts 4tw!
When using a multiple color gel I usually find the newest frame available and let that pinch the gel into place. Three diagonal stripes of the primarys vs a gobo rotator with dots is pretty nifty.
And for the record Color Doughnuts 4tw!
When using a multiple color gel I usually find the newest frame available and let that pinch the gel into place. Three diagonal stripes of the primarys vs a gobo rotator with dots is pretty nifty.
avkid6345
Member
Re: Fusing gels
I'm kind of confused on what you want. You can't exactly "fuse" gels together. If you tried melting them, the color saturation and thickness would be uneven, producing less than desirable results.
I'd cut both sheets to fit the 7" frame. You can then cut both sheets (in half or however you'd like) symmetrically, and tape them together so that the two cut sheets make up one 7" sheet. The light coming out would be more or less half blue mixing to half red (depending on the focus and fixture). I would imagine the effect would be more profound with a leko versus a fresnel or other floodlight.
If you want a mixture of the two colors, the best thing to do is to look through your swatch book for an "in-between" color, or if your really in a pinch, cut tight zigzags with each gel so that the two pieces fit together like teeth.
How long would you need this filter to last?
I'm kind of confused on what you want. You can't exactly "fuse" gels together. If you tried melting them, the color saturation and thickness would be uneven, producing less than desirable results.
I'd cut both sheets to fit the 7" frame. You can then cut both sheets (in half or however you'd like) symmetrically, and tape them together so that the two cut sheets make up one 7" sheet. The light coming out would be more or less half blue mixing to half red (depending on the focus and fixture). I would imagine the effect would be more profound with a leko versus a fresnel or other floodlight.
If you want a mixture of the two colors, the best thing to do is to look through your swatch book for an "in-between" color, or if your really in a pinch, cut tight zigzags with each gel so that the two pieces fit together like teeth.
How long would you need this filter to last?
Re: Fusing gels
Clear 1" Silicone #F-M815-1x72-c 1" Clear Polyester silicone splicing Heat Tape (1" J-Lar Clear)
Permacel #910 1" J-Lar Gel Repair Tape 1"x72yd, 2"x72yd
Either above as products in probably the same only definition are preferred for taking the heat. Just lock them up or techie's will be using the J-Lar for covering colored marking stripes on cable. J-Lar as it's called is not something to be out on the floor for general use given it's cost. It is proper stuff for mostly rated as good as your gel for taping them together.
P.S. anyone that supplies tape or theatrical supplier can supply such a product given the descriptions above of it.
Clear 1" Silicone #F-M815-1x72-c 1" Clear Polyester silicone splicing Heat Tape (1" J-Lar Clear)
Permacel #910 1" J-Lar Gel Repair Tape 1"x72yd, 2"x72yd
Either above as products in probably the same only definition are preferred for taking the heat. Just lock them up or techie's will be using the J-Lar for covering colored marking stripes on cable. J-Lar as it's called is not something to be out on the floor for general use given it's cost. It is proper stuff for mostly rated as good as your gel for taping them together.
P.S. anyone that supplies tape or theatrical supplier can supply such a product given the descriptions above of it.
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Re: Fusing gels
My my my, Derek- what a fantastic memory you have! Not only did you get the technical side of the welded string info, but you remembered that it's the Apollo elves who make uncommonly good lighting toys.
Kudos to you!
My my my, Derek- what a fantastic memory you have! Not only did you get the technical side of the welded string info, but you remembered that it's the Apollo elves who make uncommonly good lighting toys.
Kudos to you!
Re: Fusing gels
I use 3m gel splicing tape and never had a problem, but try this trick; take two gels of different color (say magenta and blue) and splice them together. Then use a breakup gobo and see what you find. The knife edge diffraction properties of the light going through the gobo breaks up the spectrum enough to give a pretty cool effect of color shading. Change up colors and percentages to get the effect you want
I use 3m gel splicing tape and never had a problem, but try this trick; take two gels of different color (say magenta and blue) and splice them together. Then use a breakup gobo and see what you find. The knife edge diffraction properties of the light going through the gobo breaks up the spectrum enough to give a pretty cool effect of color shading. Change up colors and percentages to get the effect you want
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