automatic taping tools for a remodeler?? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

nwksremodeler · 12-30-2008, 12:15 AM

I have been reading up on taping tools and have several drywall jobs in the books, but I am located miles from anywhere to actually look at these tools and put my hands on them. What are the absolute must haves for a starter kit that can get me into the game at a good price since they might only be used 2-5 times a year. Or will they be more of a hassel and alot of money spent for use on remodeling jobs that typically consist of single rooms or several small rooms? If a kit of automatic tools look to be out of the question on justification are there any two or three tools that would speed up the taping process when just using a knife and pan?

precisionbuild · 12-30-2008, 12:24 AM

Just tape by hand for your needs.

AARC Drywall · 12-30-2008, 10:19 AM

yea by hand may be the way, but if you invest in tools, they will speed the job up once you know how to use them properly.
if it were me i would spend the money,
2.5" flusher
3.5" flusher with handels
36" mud tube can am
super taper or build a box
10" box with handle...
it will take you most likley a year or so to pay them off, little by little from each job, but you will spend less time
in each job.

J
super taper

Muddauber · 12-30-2008, 07:23 PM

Check to see if there is an Ames taping tools store near you.
You could just rent what tools you need for a job.
I think they have a 10 day minimum rental charge.

5 Star · 12-30-2008, 11:57 PM

At 2-5 times a year I would suggest you hand tape, unless they are big jobs as the learning curve may frustrate you. You will just be getting use to the tools by the third job, thats just my opinion otheres may differ. A can am or better than ever corner flusher may come in handy but I would hand tape everything else.

5*

drywallr41 · 12-31-2008, 06:49 AM

When I started out we used only knives and pans, then I started out on my own and was still using the pan and knives, as my work increased I realized time was a major factor in completing jobs and geting to the next. If your doing only 2-3 small jobs a year I would recommend sticking with the pan and knives....maybe picking up a few automated tools as suggested by AARC and get the learning curve out of the way...good luck this upcoming year everyone

Bummie · 12-31-2008, 07:04 PM

For 2 or 3 jobs a year... just build a tape box to speed up the taping step and stick with pans and knives for finishing.... or hawk and trowel if so inclined.

Capt-Sheetrock · 01-01-2009, 06:03 PM

I have alpha-tech and the ames type tools. But for jobs like your doing, I tape them with a banjo, roll the corners with a corner roller (I have a tape-tech corner roller right now)then pull them with a 3 or 31/2 angle head on a pole, the banjo leaves enough mud to do that. Then for the second coat on the corners, I put the mud on with a lambs wool roller and then pull with a 2 or 21/2 angle head on a pole. the butts flats and beads, I do with pan and knife for a room or two. I don't break out any other tools unless the job is bigger than what your describing.
banjo 100.00
corner roller 100.00
angle heads (2) 550.00
angle head pole 100.00
lambs wool roller 15.00

Everybody has a differant opinon, I feel the bte and can ams are junk, the super taper or any other "slop-box" is a waste of money and time, they are made for people that don't want to learn how to use a banjo, a banjo will do a better job faster and for the same money.

Good luck

nwksremodeler · 01-01-2009, 08:10 PM

Well as figured there would be a wide range of opinions, but that is good, thanks for your replies! I am right along with all of you on mud by hand or jump in and spend the money for automated tools. I think that I will piece together some angle heads, mud tube, and handles and go from there. Thanks for you thoughts.

ThatDrywallGuy · 01-02-2009, 09:19 AM

for anything under 20 sheets, auto-tools are more hassle than they are worth.
the time you will save will be eaten up by clean up time.
the only tools i would consider using on small jobs are angle tools,
no boxes an def. no bazooka.

i own all the auto tools but havnt broke most of them out lately, due to
mostly remodel work.

Chris

nwksremodeler · 01-03-2009, 12:24 PM

clean up time is/was an issue of mine, some say that it is very simple to clean up tools and others say that it will take a bit of time, especially for boxes and a bazooka. I have no plans for purchasing a bazooka, that is definitely out of the budget, probably looking at a banjo. I am under the assumption that if these tools are used properly by the user that my savings is going to be in time not spent on application and sanding. If I make a purchase I was thinking it would be for an angle box and heads. As Capt-sheetrock suggested using a lambs wool roller for applying mud to the corners and then using an angle head to finish with does this work?? I talked to one sells rep and he laughed about the idea, but he was also trying to sell me expensive tools!!

Terryw · 01-03-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nwksremodeler

As Capt-sheetrock suggested using a lambs wool roller for applying mud to the corners and then using an angle head to finish with does this work?? I talked to one sells rep and he laughed about the idea, but he was also trying to sell me expensive tools!!

Works great. I read about this from Capt-sheetrock earlier this year and have done it on a couple of small jobs where I did not want to break out the big tools. A real time saver.

mdshunk · 01-03-2009, 01:51 PM

Related to small drywall jobs and speed....

I saw a drywaller doing a small project with a pan and knives, but he did the corners pretty neat. He applied the mud by dipping a painter's foam corner roller on a pole in the mud, and rolling it along the corner. Got a fast result that looked good. Is this a known method, or was this guy doing something innovative?

Kiwiman · 01-03-2009, 02:19 PM

I know two guy's who say they use a 3" or 4" paint brush strapped to a pole instead of a lambswool roller, they seem to swear by it, (or was it swear at it).

Rx8 · 01-03-2009, 07:28 PM

when i work alone and want little cleanup i use a 4'' paint roller for flats/butts, and a corner roller, and ide stick with a pan/knife for coating, those big tools can run up quite a bill.

BRUIN · 01-03-2009, 09:14 PM

Hello ladies, I must agree with El Capitan...if your are going to invest in tools do what we tell every fool who says 'you make it look so easy" buy the corner tools and run your tape with a banjo. the corner tools are easier to keep clean and maintain then the pump and bazooka. I have never tried the foam roller I use what I call a "powder puff" and you can final glaze behind that. Running your angles like that saves you the time of having to run one side then the other. There are some "tricks/shortcuts" you can learn on your own or from someone else, and believe me there are many, that's why it always helps to shadow someone who has actually done this for some time...P.S. the video that comes with the tools I believe is only in there in lieu of packing peanuts!

Capt-Sheetrock · 01-03-2009, 10:01 PM

First you tape your corner with a banjo, then roll it with a corner roller. then you pull your angle head through it. first coat. (you have to wipe "pick" the top and bottom with a knife ) takes a cpl of seconds to wipe the excess off

For the second coat

The lambs wool roller was originaly used to put mud in the corner, then the tape was put in,, it was a way to speed things up, every drywall supply store and paint store has one ,they really ain't made from lambs wool anymore, (less the lambs are wearing double knitt these days) . They run around 15 bucks. Heres how it works, you screw a paint handle into the end of it, then job it down into the mud bucket, roll it on the corner, then pull the angle head through it. That accomplishes the same thing as a corner box with a angle head on it. again, pick the corners.

Done

As for banjo VS slop boxes, ask yourself, would I load a bazooka, then run all the tape out of it into a bucket, then put the tape on the wall by hand, out of the bucket?? Utube a few banjo videos and see how they work.

For the size jobs you are talking about this is the best money/feesibility scheme you can figure.

And as far as wondering if I know what I'm talking about, remember,

"If the girl is still alive at the end of the song,, It AIN'T Bluegrass"

nwksremodeler · 01-04-2009, 10:38 AM

first off Capt-Sheetrock I wasn't doubting your intelligence by any means, I appreciate your knowledge. Your method was just something that I haven't ever heard about, I will admit that I am a bit wet behind the ears and have alot to learn. I was just wanting some others to put in their .02 about using the rollers. I personally don't see why it wouldn't work, and it will cheapen up things considerably. I see no reason for a slop box it just appears to make a big mess, banjo is the way to go for me.

Bruin my intentions are to tape with a banjo, a bazzoka is totatlly out of question not to mention budget! I'm sure there are a ton of tricks to running these tools and that will be a major pitfall for me since I live in a very rural area. I don't have anyone that I can "shadow", so it will be a learning curve for me, but I bet I can figure it out. The closes professional drywall finishers to me are about a 90 minute drive, it takes a hell of a big job (a whole house or a couple remodels at once) to get them out in the area. And with living in a rural community of only 1200 people on a good day, with 6 one man crews and 3 2-4 member crews in town, very few carpenters are willing to share much information, alot of competion.

Capt-Sheetrock · 01-05-2009, 10:22 AM

you won't being buying anything that you won't continue to use even after you get on into a full set of tools. Even when I'm using a full set of tools, I still use the banjo for the little closets and the high work, its too inconvieniant trying to use tools on a scaffold. I keep a 2" angle head on the straight pole just for those little close corners by doors. The angle heads and the corner roller you will need regardless of the tool set up you use, so by starting out with this system, you are just getting some of the tools you will need later.

I use a marshaltown dry tape banjo (tape-shooter), I like it better than any other on the market, and I've been pulling a banjo since the mid seventies. Its not the only brand out there, but I like it the best. I use a tape-tech corner roller, but any of them are good as any other (considering wer'e talking major brand here). Just stay away from the "delrin wheels" thats a two piece wheel that works great, till you hit some "hang" screws, the delrin wheels will chip and gough, whereas the steel one-piece wheels will just bump and run, no foul. Bout any top company angle heads are okay, I use columbia and tape-techs, the tape-tech has a cool lever that keeps the head from falling off. TT also has a 3" with a glide wheel and adjustable springs, makes the fist coat alot less stressfull.

call all-wall or go online and have them send you a catalog, they have all the major brands of tools and they are super when it comes to service.

Good luck, there's nothing like the smell of fresh sheetrock in the morning