Does regular paper tape normally come with the sprocket holes pre-punched,
or does the device that punches the data holes also punch the sprocket
holes? I recently bought some "paper tape" from eBay, and it looks like
the right stuff except it's totally without holes. I don't think I've
ever seen "virgin" tape before, but I had the idea that the sprocket holes
down the middle came with the tape. I'm kicking around trying to build my
own tape punch, since I have been unsuccessful at scrounging or buying one
so far. I picked up some stainless steel flat and some rod of the
appropriate diameter for the holes today, along with some solenoids for
actuating said rods. I'm thinking of machining the stainless to make my
own punch, but the lack of sprocket holes on the new tape has me confused.
Do I need to add another solenoid and pin to punch a smaller hole for the
sprocket, or did I just buy some odd-ball tape?