A variable tension control film dispenser with a locking mechanism that is manually activated by squeezing pressure on the outside of the skin against a mandrel or extended core.

A variable tension control film dispenser with a locking mechanism that is manually activated by squeezing pressure on the outside of the skin against a mandrel or extended core.

A tape dispenser having a handle, a base plate disposed at an end of the handle, a rotatable tape mount engaged on the base plate, a nose member disposed on the base plate, a cylinder rotatably engaged on the nose member near a cutter and a guide element is provided. The guide member is slidingly engaged on the base plate. The guide element is adjustable between a loading position which is slid rearwardly to provide space between a tape engaging end of the guide element and the nose member and a loaded position where the end of the guide element is located adjacent the nose member. A tape core support assembly can include a shaft secured to the frame and an axle assembly disposed about at least a portion of the shaft. The axle assembly includes a hub having an outer surface and at least three arcuate arms extending outwardly from the hub outer surface. An outer periphery of the arms forms a theoretical or actual cylinder configured to receive the tape core. The rotatable tape core support can include a stationary axle, a spring inclusive bushing mounted to said axle, and a rotatable tape mount. The rotatable tape mount can include a housing that receives the bushing such that the spring engages a surface of the housing to control rotation of the tape mount.