Should I Buy A Banjo?

dayspring

Thanks, that's what I'll do.

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AtlanticWBConst

Banjo's, we have gone through about 2 dozen over the years. Dropping them off high staging is not good for their functionality.

Wet banjo: Mud goes onto both sides of the tape.

Dry banjo: Mud goes on 1 side of tape (Bottom side).

We have used both. Wet and Dry.

HATE , H-A-T-E!, HATE!!!!!! the dry Banjo.

Dry: Doesn't put enough mud on the tape. Leaves alot of dry areas. Tape is Much harder to pull out.

Wet: Pulls out smoothly, much fewer air bubbles, much easier & quicker to wipe down when mud is on both sides....Never ran into any problems with mud getting onto the tape roll in the banjo. Use a Goldblatt Banjo.

My vote: Go wet. Go with Goldblatt.

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dayspring

OK, now I'm back to the great debate. Wet vs Dry. I for sure wanna make the right choice, as a matter of fact within a couple of days.

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Brushslingers

I like dry, but I also like to cut my mud down thin. If you are using dry mud, you most likely want the wet version.

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theworx

Whether it's the dry or wet tape version of the Goldblatt banjo, the tape stills runs through the mud. If the consistancy of your mud is right (usually very thin), should have no problem. Also, the person swiping the tapes is holding a pan full of mud and should be talented enough to know when he has to add a little here or there (takes seconds for a guy who knows what he's doing)!!!

dayspring

So, I guess both will work. It would probaly be one of those "This is what I prefer" things. Of which can only be determined by using both types. Hmmmm..... Gotta quarter? We'll flip to see which to start with! Heads = Wet, Tails = Dry, Best 3 outta 5 wins. Thanks fellas

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AtlanticWBConst

Yep.....

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dayspring

Goldblatt wet banjo #15302, I ordered it

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theworx

Dayspring, when you load it, don't feed your tape over the upper pin. Pull it out of the tape holder under the lower pin and just push the tape to the top of the mud compartment and fill it with mud (below the tape). Made that mistake when I first got mine and it took a week to figure it out (it's the pressure of pulling the tape over the mud that gives a good coat to the underside).

Also, with practice you'll figure out the sideways motion used to cut the tape easily. Oh yeah, you also will have to learn the slapping motion when doing ceilings. Pull out as much as you can, take aim, and slap the wet tape to the ceiling to make it stick. I'm laughing to myself right now thinking of how many wet tapes released from the ceiling and landed on my head (because I didn't slap it hard enough) !!!

Good luck, you'll love it once you master it!!!

dayspring

I have already pictured it, I come up on the job and my whole crew looking like mummies! All wrapped up in the tape. It came in yesterday so we'll be giving it a try about Friday. So what you are saying is just forget about the upper tape guide?

Slapping motion? I suppose thats one of those ya gotta do it to learn it things.


How about inside corners, any Tips?

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AtlanticWBConst

Also, there is an adjustment tab that can control the amount of tape/ mud that comes out. If you find that you are really having to pull hard to get the tape out of the banjo...adjust that tab screw...

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Big Dave

It's more of a snap. If you will start out and hold the tape on one end and pull out an arms length then let it sag a little then stretch it real quick and it will snap into place. I use to love that sound and with a 7' armspan I could really go. It only works on the ceiling. On the walls just hold the end and pull the banjo along the seam pressing the tape to the wall.

On inside corners, just start at the top and hold the end and pull down, then when you move your hand at the top down just run it along the corner and it should crease easily.

Dave.

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Greg Di

If you are looking to improve taping speed, try this:

3" lambs wool roller ($10)
3" BTE corner flusher ($70)
3.5" BTE corner flusher ($70)

Thin the mud little more than usual. Dip your lambs wool roller into mud bucket and roll mud into corner. Lay tape in by hand. Run 3" flusher over tape to bed and glaze.

Next coat, use the roller again and this time go over the tape with the larger flusher.

You'd be amazed at how fast and easy this is. Your corners will be perfect. With the BTE flushers, you don't have to pick the corners at all (even 3 ways!).

dayspring

Greg I would have nevet thought of that, not in 2 zillion, trillion years. Does the lambs wool ever leave fuzzies?

We tried the banjo out today, it worked like a dream for the horizonals, but they said they had trouble pulling the verticals, said that they could pull down about 3 or 4 ft ok, but when they done the lower part it wouldn't feed the mud when the banjo was tilted up, any tips here? Never thought I'd be taking banjo lessons

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Big Dave

Before running vertical joints you have to take the banjo and point it down and in a jerking motion force the mud to the point. You will also have to do this when it starts getting low on mud.

I think I explained it clear enough.

Dave.

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dayspring

Thanks Dave, I wasn't on the job when they used it.

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Greg Di

Nope. Now you jinxed me though!

j120strat

a banjo is only good for fire tape

boardslinger

As Steve said, If you know how to use it, it's a real time saver, but remember it's drywall, not rocket science. After a little while you'll get the hang of it.

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drywall Dan

i agre with 120 strat, if there is a aames store in your area, rent a bazooka, i think banjos suck, i left mine on a job once and never got it back, ive heard of some guys that can kick a with them but ive never seen anybody do it, bazookas rule, good luck!!!