So this guy who has been using the same old tape gun for 40 years says to:

Buy a roll of tape.

Fidget with the end and thread it up like a movie projector, making sure not to tangle the delicate, noisy mess.  

Adjust the tensionometer by twisting the center knob in a clockwise position (do people even know which way rotary clocks move in 2020?) 

If it’s to tight loosen the knob by going the other way .  Throw away excess tape that you wasted trying to adjust the tension doohickey.

Start taping – being careful not to snag the dangly bit of tape on anything and waste even more tape.

Give up and get Bandit Tape!