corner box or mud tube???? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Kiwiman · 12-20-2008, 02:10 AM

I'm looking into these corner angle head/finishers, I'm told from the suppliers that no one buy's corner boxes anymore but instead favour the mud tubes (well thats the trend in New Zealand), so what do you guy's think and whats your experience with them, and what is the prefered order or method of application?
The way I do it now is to tape with a banjo, corner roller then can-am flusher and still have to do a bit of tidying with a knife, then topcoat by hand.

pbranam · 12-20-2008, 06:42 AM

i use the tapetech mudrunner wouldnt use anything else

Brocktologist · 12-20-2008, 09:15 AM

I prefer anglo box.

AARC Drywall · 12-20-2008, 09:34 AM

I use the can am 42" tube with direct flushers...remove the center peice though.

Preacher17 · 12-20-2008, 11:11 AM

mud tube with angle applicater then pole with 3-4" flushhead on it. as for appling tape I use a supertaper and hands..... and flushead 2-3" to flated tape into angles

Tony M · 12-20-2008, 01:08 PM

Get a mudrunner. Tubes are crap. I personally use an Apla-tech Canon. Big bucks but quick as ...
Going to buy a mudrunner for smaller jobs.

Kiwiman · 12-20-2008, 03:11 PM

Wow, now I'm really confused, I guess what suits one guy doesn't suit the other, I might have to buy one of everything and talk the wife into thinking I need them.
The corner box is what I was hoping for but was told they are hard to use because keeping it centered wasn't easy?, I've never used an angle head with anything, do they keep the mud within the blades or can they get a bit messy if you squirt too much into it (with mudrunner or tube). Also is the huge price difference in angle heads worth it because here the finishpro's are NZ$300 and the northstar are NZ$700. The finishpro I saw looked very round at the tip compared to northstars.
There was also an adjustable one I saw in my travels (forget the brand) that doubles as a 2.5" and 3" when you tighten the angle.
(Thanks for your input by the way)

Preacher17 · 12-20-2008, 04:07 PM

These are what I use and find its way faster (for me) then to use a "dual purpose one" or the angle box or the compound flushers

Tim0282 · 12-20-2008, 08:37 PM

I have a question on the Mudrunner. Do you push the tube to get the mud out, or do you twist the tube? (or neither) I've seen them advertised, but never in person.

d's · 12-21-2008, 01:38 AM

Aarc,

I can't believe I never thought of removing that centerpiece! It usually doesn't jam, but if you ever run some less than perfect mud through it... what a pain in the arse to clear it! Does it still run the same! Nice one.

Kiwiman - I tape with the the super taper, roll, flush with the 2.5". pump setting compound with the tube and 2.5", pump again with AP and the 3", then touch up with a 5" knife. The heads and the tube were around $300 all in. I'd like to try one of the machined heads on the tube for coomparison. I can't see the pneumatic tools being that much faster once you get the ergonomics of the tube down. You south or north island?

D'S

AARC Drywall · 12-21-2008, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d's

Aarc,

I can't believe I never thought of removing that centerpiece! It usually doesn't jam, but if you ever run some less than perfect mud through it... what a pain in the arse to clear it! Does it still run the same! Nice one.

D'S

yea tell me about it...less than perfect mud is a reall ..well you said it best..
Its better because there is less resistance on the mud being pushed out. its just a 3/8 hole, but be carefull you will need less preasure to get the same results.

also when you come to the 3 ways you can pull back on the plunger handle and suck some mud back into the tube, so that you dont leave a drippy mess.

J

Kiwiman · 12-21-2008, 02:31 AM

You south or north island?

D'S[/quote]

south island, Ashburton to be exact, one hour south of Christchurch.
My flusher has no hole for using a tube, it just tidy's the mess up after the banjo, but if there's too much mud left behind you get a big ridge down each side that has to be troweled off.

Al Taper · 12-21-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim0282

I have a question on the Mudrunner. Do you push the tube to get the mud out, or do you twist the tube? (or neither) I've seen them advertised, but never in person.

You twist the tube, more you twist more mud comes out.

taper71 · 12-21-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d's

I can't see the pneumatic tools being that much faster once you get the ergonomics of the tube down.

D'S

I would race you any day of the week and be home, fed and showered before you finished cleanig up your last 3 way. Seriously there is no comparison. You have way less trips to the pump. you can literally run with it or walk if you are lazy . The best part is way less strain on the body because you are just holding it in the corners not pushing or trying to gage how much pressure to use like with the tube. I have used all methods described and since I picked up the cannon I would never go back to the tube , or the hockey box, and my back thanks me for it.

Tony M · 12-21-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taper71

I would race you any day of the week and be home, fed and showered before you finished cleanig up your last 3 way. Seriously there is no comparison. You have way less trips to the pump. you can literally run with it or walk if you are lazy . The best part is way less strain on the body because you are just holding it in the corners not pushing or trying to gage how much pressure to use like with the tube. I have used all methods described and since I picked up the cannon I would never go back to the tube , or the hockey box, and my back thanks me for it.

Here here!

Brian S · 12-21-2008, 03:55 PM

As we don't tape a lot, probably a luxury house every 2-3 months and shops about 1 every couple of months, we keep things uncomplicated and cheap.
We have both the box and a BTE 18" tube as the flushers from both will fit both box and tube. Why, well the box and handle is too big for small cupboards and tight spaces, and the tube is to much hard work on open areas. Its not worth us paying out mega bucks for tools that are just going to be sat in the store a majority of the time.

If we taped all the time I would go over to a Mudrunner, totally love that thing, twist and go, might even go for a bazooka but only for the corners.

Tony M have you used that Easifill from BG, if so, other than expensive how do rate it?

Tony M · 12-22-2008, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian S

As we don't tape a lot, probably a luxury house every 2-3 months and shops about 1 every couple of months, we keep things uncomplicated and cheap.
We have both the box and a BTE 18" tube as the flushers from both will fit both box and tube. Why, well the box and handle is too big for small cupboards and tight spaces, and the tube is to much hard work on open areas. Its not worth us paying out mega bucks for tools that are just going to be sat in the store a majority of the time.

If we taped all the time I would go over to a Mudrunner, totally love that thing, twist and go, might even go for a bazooka but only for the corners.

Tony M have you used that Easifill from BG, if so, other than expensive how do rate it?

I use Easifill 45 most of the time. I pay nearly double what I pay for BG joint filler, but it does go further with it being lightweight. The only gripe I have with it is that when you overcoat it on the same day, especially this time of year, it takes ages to dry out ready for the third coat. I normally do 1 coat Easifill and 2 coats BG Cement.

Darren@Partners · 12-23-2008, 02:16 PM

We use mudrunner only. Watch how much water you add, too much will cause a crack down the center. We add 1/2 pint (as per manufacturers limits). It is brutal on your arms to begin with but you get used to it. Mopping 3 ways is a must.

oldrivers · 12-23-2008, 06:38 PM

yeah yeah i know ancient history.

d's · 07-28-2009, 01:34 AM

Just an update.

I recently switched from the super taper to a bazooka, and bought a 3.5" Northstar angle head and columbia roller. I've found you can mount the Northstar head directly to the applicator tube even though the ball is bigger. I use a hair elastic around the arms to take the tension off the spring holding the ball - it grips but stays manoeverable.

I use the bazooka, roll, then use the angle head on the tube to flush and coat in the same pass. This way the corners have lot's of time to dry before being hit one more time after 1st and 2nd coating joints. The 42" tube can reach 10' ceiling corners and I've got a 24" tube for inside closets. I think this setup gives quick and fantastic results for low cost and little maintenance/hassle.

The next change I'd like to make is getting a 2.5" or 3" for the first pass. Speaking of which -what's the verdict on speed wheels? Anyone else had luck on mounting angle heads to applicator tubes?

After that I guess I'll have to buy a BFast or Apla-Tech system to get any faster

.

D'S