Super Taper Or Banjo?

steve336

I find myself doing more and more drywall work and I need too speed up the taping process. Im not ready to spend the $$$$$ bazooka and boxes yet.What do you think would be a better option for me the BTE Super taper or a Banjo? My jobs average about 80 boards or so lots of basements and attics.

Greg Di

I have not used the super taper (yet), however I am a FIRM believer in the BTE system components. They make great products. My only hold-up with the Super Taper is that I prefer to use mesh tape on the flats. For corner angles, I've found that a wool corner roller is pretty damn fast for getting mud into the corner without the mess of a ST or Banjo. I use the BTE mud tupe and flushers for all my corners. They work great.

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drywaller74

Banjo

Sheetrock26

Ok am I missing something here...you have your super taper sitting in a bucket of mud and you guess how much you're going to need and go to the bucket, pull and cut it and then go see how close you came. If thats the case why does this exist...and why does it cost more than twice the cost of a banjo. All wall has a video but it wouldn't work for me...but there is a diagram. I could be wrong, how does this thing work?

For 100 bucks a banjo is very effective for one person once you get the hang of it. Try the dry tape goldblatt banjo.

steve336

Im unsure on how the super hanger works also. looks like im going to try out the goldblatt banjo. Thx guys

mud dog

The super taper fits in the bucket of taping mud, with a roll of tape attached. You can adjust the amount of mud that goes on the tape by turning the wing nut at the top. You then take an empty pail, ( mine has a belt attached), you pull a pail full of tape ( I wear rubber gloves), then off you go, run the tape on the walls, wipe and go back to the super taper for more.

dusty the taper

Best suggestion..............save your money.........bazookas the only way to go.

CapeTaper

Hi Steve,
For jobs of the size you mention, just mud, tape, and wipe your flats by hand. Then loosen your mud and use a corner roller to mud your corners and coves. Lay tape by hand, wipe by hand, or use BTE corner flushers(the wide ones behind a corner roller). Do your second and finish coats(flats, corners, nails, bead) by hand. You might consider using the flushers for coating the corners and coves (mud up with corner roller), though I have never used them for this. Of course, tape and coat your Ultra-Flex 325 by hand. (You are using Ultra-Flex 325 right?!!) I can't see using any other method unless your job size increases much. My jobs are much larger, (usually), and I use a combination of Apla-Tech CFS and BTE tools for taping, Apla-Tech CFS for coating and skiming.
Good luck,
CapeTaper.

steve336

Thx for the advice Cape thats the direction im going to go.
Are you using Ultra Flex-325 on all corners? Ive only been using it on the angle corners you find in cape's,and ridged paperback corner tape on outside corners.
I dont see how the super taper can save time . sounds like a big mess handling a bucket full of wet tape. I'd have to see someone use it in person.

CapeTaper

Hi Steve,
I use the UF 325 for all inside and outside off-angles. I use paper tape for all 90 degree angles. I've never used the Super Taper. I don't know anyone that has, but seems like a big mess to me. I have watched the video, but it is rather short and lacking much detail. I guess its ok if you were trained in that method as an apprentice. Getting wet tape to crease nicely must be a real pain.
CapeTaper

Greg Di

Watch the demo video at www.betterthanevertools.com

if it's not there, try www.all-wall.com

The supertaper does work. I tried it at show, however, it is a little complicated to clean for small jobs.

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tlfettled

I would suggest buying your self a banjo! It's mud and tape are self contained and its great for small areas , just learn to put it between your knees and hold it there why you use your hands to set the tape in top corners and hang a rag on your pants to keep your fingers clean ! I have looked at the better then ever bucket system and i have seen the video ,and i have seen it in use on job site, its OK but its pretty messy sometimes ! Get your self a couple of 4 foot rolling scaffolds for about 90 bucks apiece at home depot and keep all your mud buckets and tools on them and roll them around the room as you work with your banjo ! They have 2 steel cross members which can be set to different levels for easy reaching ! working off of stilts while you use your banjo and keeping your rolling 4 foot scaffolds near you makes it easy and saves a Hugh amount of walking while your on stilts ! It's the easy way to do it! I ALSO USE THE BETTER THEN EVER TOOLS MUD TUBE, CORNER skim BLADES , EASY CORNER ROLLER , MUD SHOE FOR THE MUD TUBE, AND I ALSO USE A BAZOOKA ! BETTER THEN EVER HAS EXCELLENT TOOLS !Problem with the bucket taping system is the tape slaps the wall sometimes while your pulling it out of the belt bucket leaving mud on the wall causing you to have to scrape the wall clean , the belt bucket also collects wet mud on the sides which dries and then when you go back to collect more tape from the main mud bucket it is contaminated with dried particles which ,leave blemishes in your skim coats [NOT GOOD] !!![extra work ] ! I JUST DON'T LIKE THE MESS WITH THE BUCKET TAPE SYSTEM !With the banjo you can lay it down and cover the end up with a damp rag when you go to lunch and come back remove the rag and keep on trucking with out any dried particles to cause blemish's ! [GO BANJO ]

1KingOfDrywall

I bought a new-jet black taping tube by columbia (so far everybody got to use it but me). I have a tube sitting in my warehouse that I will let go dirt cheap.It's by blue line. A worker was supposed to buy it and he never did. I have a pump with gooseneck also?? I'm always looking to help out a fellow drywaller....unless if you live in my area,,,,..than I just try to starve you outta business....LMAO
I guess you can email me if your interested....make me a reasonable offer.

r_j_wyant@yahoo.com

Bodrey

Hi, Steve:

I use the BTE Supertaper on all my jobs. It saves a lot of time and takes some getting used to. However, the most important thing is the consistency of the mud, especially when it comes to angles. If the mud is too thick (and/or there isn't enough on the tape) the edges will be rough when you flush them (and will make them harder to flush to begin with). It's better to use thinner mud and a thicker bead than the other way around. It doesn't take much to adjust the amount of mud applied to the tape as you pull it through the ST; just turn the wingnut slightly. I was taught to apply a thicker bead for angles than flats and this does make a difference. The only thing I don't like about using the ST is that you can't pre-crease the tape before you apply it to angles. The roller helps but it's still not always perfect. You really have to center the tape properly by hand. Also, it helps to clean the ST ASAP after using it. The more time the mud has to dry on it the harder it is to get it out of all the nooks and crannies (especially the rollers).

Brockster

Hat's off to you guy's who hand tape, super-taper and banjo to tape with.

I'm so lazy that I refuse to tape by hand anything more than a couple sheets.

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kgphoto

Super tapers big advantage is that more than one guy can use it at a time, so some speed is available there. Also for doing small areas around pipes or in closes and built-in's or nitches, the ST works better.

You have to stop and reload the banjo more often as well. I just clean the sides with a sponge or a hose and don't have any problem with crumbs.

It is a little messy until you get used to it. The Banjo keeps one hand cleaner.

Watch the video and see how it is used.

NorthStar Tools

Hi I am the director of sales for NorthStar taping tools. Automatic taping tools are costly but if you are a high production finisher these tools will pay themselves back in no time. The average is about 30 to 50% more on average than hand finishing.

dryrocker27

A banjo is the way to go on smaller work. Very effective, easy to clean.

Definatley get some scaffolding from lowe's or HD to keep you tools up while you are on your stilts.

If you have a person wiping behind you, you be faster than if you were hand taping.

We work in large homes and have moved toward bazookas and flat boxes. The better than ever flushers are the best that we have tried and use them every day.

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Robert

oldrivers

I have no problem staying ahead of the wipedown man using a banjo I like the bloomington brand banjos the most basic and simple. a boozoka is only as good as the wipedown man is or the system . makes no sense going fast unless he can keep up to the bazooka and it also makes no sense having to put down the bazooka to help wipedown.

Mudstar

As long as work is being done whats the difference what your doing wiping or laying tape it all take man hours. If your waiting around for someone to catchup you should be going home.