ckurak
Posts: 107
Joined: 2006-10-28
Location: Florida
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I am sensing that there is some confusion not only regarding what type of tape to use, but when to use which kind. So, please allow me to share what works for me.
I believe the reason that some of us use blue tape is that it has some interesting and beneficial qualities that regular masking tape does not. For example, it has some "spring back" and can be used as a clamp. For Darryl's example of using yellow glue to join two veneer edges together, I would prefer the blue tape over masking tape. Simply "stretch" the blue tape across the seam while applying. The blue tape will attempt to return to its original length, thereby acting as a clamp to pull the edges together. Masking tape does not have the same clamping ability.
In my experience, blue tape is also easier to remove than masking tape. (I have also found that I can use blue tape as a regular woodworking clamp for gluing together trim assemblies and other hard to clamp shapes. Just apply yellow glue, attach the blue tape to the first work piece, then pull the tape tight before attaching it to the second workpiece. Let it dry overnight, and you have a solid joint.)
Another place I use blue tape is to temporarily join pieces of veneer together during the assembly process for decorative veneering or marquetry. For joining two pieces of veneer, the tape is typically applied on the glue side of the veneer. First, attach the blue tape to one side of the joint, then pull it across to the other piece of veneer and pull it tight just before pressing it down on the second side. As above, this little bit of extra tension will help pull the two pieces of veneer tightly together. For assembling a marquetry scene with lots of little pieces, I use 3" wide blue tape on the glue side. Then, the small pieces of the scene are set in place using tongs or tweezers.
Now, remember that the blue tape is only a temporary step in the assembly process. Once the entire assembly has been "blue-taped" on the glue side, flip it over so the show-side is up. Then, cover the joints, or the entire surface, with gum tape. When I construct an assembly out of small pieces, I use the wide 2" veneer tape and simply cover the entire surface.
I have also successfully used blue tape across much longer joints, up to 8 feet long. First I apply the blue tape perpendicularly across the joint every 4-6" (always on the glue side). Then I run a strip of blue tape along the entire seam so nothing moves during the next step. After flipping the assembly over, I apply gum tape along the entire seam on the show side. (By the way, I ONLY use distilled water to apply and remove the gum tape. And, I prefer the no-holes gum tape.)
After the veneer tape is completely dry, I flip the assembly over again and remove ALL of the blue tape. The blue tape NEVER goes into the vacuum press. And, there is NEVER any gum tape on the glue side of the veneer.
For complex assemblies, I sometimes use blue tape on both sides of the project as I construct complicated pieces. I find this to be helpful during intermediate steps of the assembly process. Applying gum tape during the intermediate steps to hold sub-assemblies together may accidentally result in a thick layer of gum tape in certain areas if one tries to keep those units together with gum tape. Or, one might accidentally apply the gum tape on the glue side of the veneer. That would be a hassle. If I accidentally apply blue tape on the wrong side, it is easy to remove. Then, once the entire piece is assembled, I am back to my regular process: the glue-side has blue-tape holding it together, followed by gum tape on the show side, let it dry, then remove all of the blue tape before glue-up in the vacuum press.
I hope that helps. If it doesn't then I would suggest watching Paul Schürch's second video. He can explain it better than I can. 
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