Fun With Blue Tape (painter's Tape)

A great way to protect your work surface, especially if you don't have a dedicated workbench--or just don't want to mess up the bench top.

Step 1: The Work Surface

In this case, the desktop drawer in my tractor sleeper (yes, I'm a truck driver)

Step 2: Protecting the Surface

I don't want to mess this up, so I got some wide blue tape, and put it down, nice and smooth, with a little overlap. As you can see, I'm repairing the micro-USB end of my phone charger. I've lost the missing bit, but that won't matter.

Step 3: See What I Mean?

It's gonna get real messy real quick... but JB Weld Kwik Set Epoxy is the bomb...

Step 4: A Little Mixing, a Little Dabbing...

...and it's done! Five minutes to set, and a nice tough fix. One thing I missed: I superglued the strain relief to the remaining body, to make sure it doesn't break loose and take out the repair.

Step 5: And Now, the Cleanup...

...and, Presto! Mess is cleaned up and tossed!

Step 6: Some Uses for Blue Tape...

Yes, I have my tablet taped to the dash! Google Maps FTMFW, it's the best GPS navigation out there, hands-down. and being big makes it much more readable. I set it up to tether to my phone, so I have full internet as well.

Step 7: Even More Uses...

Cheapest window film, ever. Who cares that you can't see through it?? I set it so it's just over my sight line, and shield the setting or rising sun. And easily removable and replaceable, when needed.