Can- Am Tools

AARC Drywall

Hey all.

I have been installing drywall for approx 15 years, and now have my own very successful company. I have staff that i pay well to hang, and i do help out now and again, just to keep in the game and to show them that the old man (36) still knows more.
However, i have done limitted taping, in small bathrooms and small additions. I am looking to do a little (stress little) bit more, and am wondering about Can-am tools. I have guys that do full houses and projects for me in taping, but i want to understand the full array of things on their end of the trade. I have been looking around for taping tools, and not wanting to spend a huge amount of money for tools that i may use once in a while. I will always do small jobs myself, but want a tool that will work.

any advice?
10" and 12" box
Flusher head,
42" tube
pump
inside applicator
outside applicator,

looking to spend about $2000 to $3000 on the set.

Jay

Brian S

What your looking at looks fine, amendments maybe.

This is what I have
Columbia Boxes 10" & 12"
Pump
Corner Roller
Better than Ever Mud Tube 48"? and an 18"
internal applicator
A 3" flusher and a 2"
and handle
and a 3" nail spotter

I found the 48" Mud Tube too big, the 36" would of been better, you'll probably need the 2 flushers

This lot set me back around £1000 give or take so being that side of the pond I would reckon it might cost $1500 - $2000

I find this is ideal for the amount of taping we do, very little maintainance
and cleaning is a doddle

Brian

jakester

hey AARC
I have a set of columbia boxes, and 2 pumps, I also have a set of can-am boxes. Parts for the columbia are easy to find, but parts for the can-am are very hard to find, for the amount of money you want to spend I'm sure you can find a great deal, FYI. I rent my bazooka from ames, you might want to try to rent as well, great way to see if you like the tools.

AARC Drywall

thanks guys I will look into tool rentals, I think I might look at can am for tubes but different boxes from all wall. any help is good help.jay

mud dog

Hey Jay, I'll put my two cents in here too. I use 2.5 can am flusher,with columbia roller to tape angles and the 36" tube to apply the glue on beads. Then it's straight Columbia tools 3" angle head, angle box, 10 and 12 inch boxes and of course a pump. They are a BC company based in Langley. I can't remember the name of the owners, but they are very friendly and helpful. Are you still busy there? We keep hearing reports about the logging and sawmills not doing so well and all these guys being laid off. Meanwhile the drywall companies around here are hiring guys on a 2 year basis from Mexico,etc!

AARC Drywall

The drywall end is slowing but there is a tonne of commercial work to be done, if i could get into it....any suggestions would be great. I own my own company, drywall that is, and have boarders and tapers. We have a crew of 3 boarders and myself, and at any given time 3 tapers. The ecomomy is deffenatly slowing, but not dead, more reno's etc. I also work in the sawmill industery as my main job. and we just went from a 3 shift opperation down to 2 and now its harder to run the company. but beeing a boarder is good, but i think now i want to learn how to tape better. Thus looking into some automated tools.
I have done quiet a bit of taping in the past, Some of my crew does not have time for the small bathrooms, or small reno, so i get out the old hand tools and hopper and go to work.
I am looking to get out of the forest industery, and by looking at the amount of money that i paid my main taper last year, (Sub contractor) I could keep a lot more of the proffits, and continue to learn a better skill.
Unfortunatly boarding is getting boaring for me, and not much of a challange anymore. I just finished a 14' dome'd celing, that went very well...that was a challange....the only one like it in our city...but back to the normal now.

Any suggestions on auto tools would be a big help. I have been to all-wall and looked, but have not purchased any of yet.

Jay

taper71

Mud dog gave you a pretty good list of tools . The only difference between me and him is I use a 3 inch can am to tape - and finish with a 3 and a half inch columbia angle head. All the brand tools are basically the same ( Ford or Chev kinda deal ) If you are only going to do small jobs I would probably just use flushers instead of angle heads and save some money.

AARC Drywall

thanks guys i have got several quotes, and will be getting the following
columbia auto taper
7", 10", 12" flat box also with bead boxers
pump and fittings
can am 42" tube
Corner roller
3.5" standard flusher
2.5, and 3.5 direct flusher
outside standard corner roller and bullnose roller
outside applicator tip.

what am i missing guys.

Jay

kgphoto

Jay,

The only thing I see you missing is the outside/inside corner bead mud applicator hopper. This allows you to run 8-10 foot tall pieces of mud on corner bead through it and then just set it on wall and roll it. Great for stand ups.

Both Strait-Flex, (Mud-Pro II) and NO-Coat offer these tools.

taper71

Sorry KG but I think the outside and inside heads that fit on the tube are way better and can fit in your glove compartment instead of the back of the box. Way easier to clean as well .

mud dog

I agree with taper71. I also tend to use less mud when using the tube or applying bead by hand. Less mud used, more $$ in my pocket.

AARC Drywall

Thanks guys...
I did order the tip... outside applicator. its used with the tube to put mud on then corner bead.

I have been looking at the no coat bead...any comments? I think it looks good, but has anyone had any problems?

Jay

mud dog

I don't use the bead rollers, because if you don't put it on straight before you roll it's a real pain to try and adjust it after. Also, if you fill in your bevel when you wipe your tape you can skip the 7" box. Also, an inside applicator that applies the mud from the tube to the inside offset is a wise investment. Just my two cents.

AARC Drywall

good call i forgot about the off angle...will look after that...

Jay

kgphoto

No apologies necessary. We all work our own way. I just like running it through and setting it up and rolling it out. I don't struggle with the consistency and drip all over like I sometimes do with the tube.

The Mud-Pro II can stay filled with mud between jobs and you suck from the top for your tube or dip with knives and pull bead out the bottom with nothing to adjust for inside or outside 90's or off angles. Pretty slick in my book. Between jobs, just lower into a bucket of water and you are done. Since I carry buckets to every job, one more doesn't really matter.


On a long seam, over nine feet, then I also prefer to mud the wall and then apply the bead.