Do Flushers Really Work?

Tradesman

I've always been a hand taper, and I like hand taping. But it is the slowest method, so I've been thinking about getting some flushers to speed up my corners (no, I don't want to go the "full auto" route at present). Here's my question. I've always done my inside corners 1 side at a time, where the flushers do both simultaneously. There are also hand inside corner trowels that do both sides simultaneously. I have never used these either, but they're only a few bucks, so I bought one the other day to see how doing both sides at once works. Well, with that trowel, it didn't work too well. I seem to be able to get one side or the other feathered well, but not both at the same time. Is it just the fact that I am new to this, or should I expect the same results with the more expensive flushers? Or do the flushers operate somewhat differently? I realize there will be a learning curve, but I just want to know that I can expect good results from the flushers.

Brockster

Why don't you look up your local Ames store and rent a pump and angle box for one job? I'm sure you are fast doing one side at a time but I really think it's worth the investment for a pump, angle head, and maybe a roller and glazer. I can pump out angles in a 200 sheet house and pick the corners in 2 to 3 hours.
If you rent it and don't like it (which I doubt), you are only out a few bucks for rental, which is a 100% tax deduction.

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taper71

That corner trowel is hard to get used too. It really isn't even 90 degrees so you really got to press it in tight so as not to leave too much mud in the corner , and then it still doesn't do that well of a job. As for flushers they really will speed up your angle process and do a mighty fine job of it.
The main thing with flushers is mud consistency - too thick and you work to hard and doesn't flush out too well -too thin and you make a mess. A consistent pressure is also needed to get uniformed inside angles without lots of chatter marks or waves.
Too much pressure and you take all the mud off, and leave two line ridges along each side of the flusher. This will also happen if you are using too much mud for the size of flusher.
Not enough pressure and you get chatter marks, waves, and places that will need to be filled or gone over again.

Cole

Capt-Sheetrock

Look at it this way,,, yeah its a little bit of an investment.. but so what? you invest more than that in a truck and don't think anything about it. The tools will pay for themselves in real short order, so the investment comes right back to you. Those little hand corner trowels don't work, guess at one time or another we all have tried them. Its like this, after you try corner tools, you'll want to get into them, and eventually you will end up with pumps and angle heads, if you go with the flushers and such you will end up investing in angle heads eventually so my suggestion would be to do like mentioned, and rent a set from ames to try them, get used to them, etc, OR better yet just go ahead and buy a set.

Just do it

Peace

oldrivers

this is the best trowel type angle tool.

infact it works better than the auto tools, sure its slower than the autos but it does the best job as far as im concerned but it does take time to learn how to use it efficently. The best attribute is you can put more or less pressure on it when you need to leave extra mud or take off more , you cant do that with the tools. Plus all of my tape techs got stolen a few years ago and im not going to re pay for them again.

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Tim0282

I'd say SOMEBODY didn't learn to use their Tape Tech tools properly. If you say any hand tool is better...

Muddauber

You dont have to pay for them.They pay for themself.

Tim0282

I feel like my tools are worth at least the value of another man in a years time. We coated all of the angles, flats, butts and beads in a house this morning with 8500 feet of rock. This afternoon we coated all of the angles, flats and butts with 25,000 feet of rock. One guy running the tool and one guy following. One guy was running beads and splayed angles. Can't do that without tools. And it will take very little sanding in either job.

oldrivers

I didnt say " any hand tool is better", just the one i pictured . I agree that most of the corner trowels suck but the one i pictured works great.

Tim0282

Sorry, I was out of line. You didn't deserve my comments.

oldrivers

Well on footage work they do but not on most of remods , im working hourly now .

oldrivers

oh i didnt take them bad or anything all comments are welcome Thats what i like about construction everyone has their own opinions and ways and what works best for themselves.

Tim0282

You're right. There is a HUGE difference between hourly and footage. Remodel is a whole different ball game. Much tougher than new. A lot more variables in redo work. Never know what you are getting into. Walls are always perfectly straight. Right... I think redo is a tougher way to make a living.

Tim0282

Where are you located, Dan?

toothlesstaper

Like all tools, work them hard keep them clean, keep them adjusted, learn how to use them, mix mud right and the world will be an easier place to live for you