Drywallin'

[Ian Gills]

I am taking a week off work next week to begin putting up the drywall in my basement. I have ordered lots of gizmos to help me with this. Any comments on any of them would be appreciated.

Telpro TROLL Troll 300-Pound Capacity Panel Handler
Shark 10-2206 Rockeater Drywall Saw
Stanley 93-301 14-Inch Yellow Panel Carry Handle
Senco 1R0004N DS200-AC Duraspin 3,300 RPM Collated Screwdriver
Improtec Lift'n'Lock - Drywall, Plywood, Door Lifter and Support
Pentagon Tool "Foot Lifter"--Two for the price of One!"
Free Hands Drywall Support
Duraspin #6 X 1-1/4" Drywall To Steel Screws

Have I forgotten anything else that might be useful?

[Cookie]

A six pack. :)

[Ian Gills]

Thanks Cookie. I always carry at least 6 beers in the fridge.

Coming from Europe, I cannot get enough of this stuff:

http://www.frontiersaloon.com/BeerTakeOut/TakeOutDomestic/images/6pkbMillerGenuineDraft12oz.jpg

It's quite a prestiguous beer there. My neighbors here though laugh at me for drinking it. They say it makes me look like a redneck!

I still think it's the best beer this country has to offer though. Refreshing and yet tasty. Yum.

[GabeS]

rasp to smooth out the rough edges after you cut.

[hj]

Your picture reminds me of when the brewers had their convention. The heads of four breweries got together for a night out. When the waiter came for their orders, the Mexican said, "Give me a Corona, the best beer in Mexico". The next one said, "Give me a Coors brewed with pure Rocky Mountain spring water". The third said, "Give me a Busch, straight from the midwest". The fourth, the Guiness brewer, said, "Give me a Seven Up". The others asked why he wasn't ordering a brew. He told them, "As long as you boys aren't drinking beer, it would be impolite of me have a beer in front of you and order a Guiness".

[jimbo]

I am taking a week off work next week to begin putting up the drywall in my basement. I have ordered lots of gizmos to help me with this. Any comments on any of them would be appreciated.

Telpro TROLL Troll 300-Pound Capacity Panel Handler
Shark 10-2206 Rockeater Drywall Saw
Stanley 93-301 14-Inch Yellow Panel Carry Handle
Senco 1R0004N DS200-AC Duraspin 3,300 RPM Collated Screwdriver
Improtec Lift'n'Lock - Drywall, Plywood, Door Lifter and Support
Pentagon Tool "Foot Lifter"--Two for the price of One!"
Free Hands Drywall Support
Duraspin #6 X 1-1/4" Drywall To Steel Screws

Have I forgotten anything else that might be useful?


Holy ring shank nail , Batman! You mean there is a better way than propping it up with your head and trying not to hit your thumb??

[Dunbar Plumbing]

I think if luck had it and I was told that I could live longer if I just did drywall work, I'd settle for a shorter life.


It's a talent to all its own and no matter what I do, I get angry. And then there are people that make it look beautiful with feathering the joints and corners, bedding the tape so it is never seen again or has to be cut out and done over.



(goes and smashes drywall in fit of rage, calls someone else to fix it)

[hj]

ANd here I thought all you needed was a couple of "T" supports, a screw gun, and a helper.

[Ian Gills]

This is just for the walls.

For a ceiling, I will be using a suspended solution. But I'll think about that after the walls are done.

[iminaquagmire]

Ceiling first. It gets supported at the edges and it also makes it easier to place the drywall since you can maneuver it through the stud bays.

[hj]

YOu do realize, I suppose, that by the time you get, or rent, all that equipment, you could have hired someone to install it AND tape/texture it.

[FloridaOrange]

Senco 1R0004N DS200-AC Duraspin 3,300 RPM Collated Screwdriver


You'll like that gun, my brother has it or one just like it. He uses it for fence and deck work as well.

[Ian Gills]

Thanks everyone for the tips and FloridaOrange for the info on the gun.

HJ, it's not about the money. It's the joy of the craft. I don't ask questions on this site to save a buck or two. I'd rather pay more to do the job myself and take satisfaction in it than pay a poor licensed contractor to take that happiness away from me.

[hj]

In that case, you are not a DIYer, you are a masochist. There is no way I would do something myself, IF it were cheaper to have a contractor do it. I might get some satisfaction from digging a few dozen holes tomorrow to plant trees and bushes, but I am perfectly willing to let the nursery have the enjoyment of doing it. Why not let him have the satisfaction of doing a good job?

[Ian Gills]

We all need a hobby Hj. What's yours?

Personally, I cannot think of anything worse than moderating an internet forum. But each to their own.

In the past I have actually paid plumbers to do work, and then told them to knock off early so I could finish the job.

It must be the European "socialist" idealism in me...helping a stranger...enjoying the fruits of ones own labor...state-provided health care...

I bought four access panels today. This seems a nice place to get them. http://www.accessdoorsdirect.com/

That is the one thing I love most about America. There is no other country on this earth when you can say "Right I want an access panel for my drywall", go online and order it. You can buy anything here so easily.

http://www.wicked-t-shirts.com/specials/img/IMG-lay-pipe.gif

http://www.bhl.co.uk/uploads/article1544/iStock_000005591833XSmall.jpg

[hj]

It is even nicer when I do not have to pay shipping and can go a couple of miles away and pick out whichever ones I want and take them home with me. The guy in the picture may be there to lay pipe, but I wonder what kind uses a Crescent wrench and a 1/2" rachet drive?

[FloridaOrange]

Ian,
Another note, if you have a helper you really don't need all the drywall support tools. My brother and I did quite a bit in his house and I think those things would've been in the way.

[Terry]

The best way to learn drywall is to sit back and watch a pro do it.

When I was building houses, one of the contractors gave me some lessons in it.
It's all about bending the blades to put that fine taper where it meets the board.
I just looked at some mudding work in a friend's home, it was looking pretty hack.

The first coat goes on with the shorter blade,
and then the next day you go with a longer blade.
Most do two base coats, and then a topping coat with a long blade.
There should be almost no sanding needed if you are bending the blades enough.

For one day jobs, I hire a guy that uses 30 minute mud.
He can hang, tape and texture in one day.
But if you use the 30,45 and 90 minute mud, you better be good.
It doesn't really sand.

I've done a bit of taping over the years, but when I want it quick and really good, I hire out,
But Ian, you should have fun with it.
I wish I could find a good video for you on using the blades.
Most home shows don't let you see the real pro, just the stand up comedian that pretends he knows.

Don't buy the round tubs,
Get the boxes of mud.
One for the base coat
and one topping mix.
Throw away what you don't use.
Just buy the big box, you will be glad you did, it's better stuff.
For a first timer, don't use any quick mud.

Video of a dork pretending he can mud drywall. (http://www.homeadditionplus.com/drywall-info/Taping-and-Mudding-Drywall-Video.htm)
This guy doesn't have a friggin clue.

Notice that his blade is too short, it should be a six or an eight for the first coat.
The ends of the blade should be pressed against the wall forcing a bend in the middle of the blade.
That way is will smooth itself.
Otherwise, you will be sanding the crap out of it like the dork in the video.

The last coat I use a 12" or longer blade.

For the first corner coats, you can use one made for that.
That way the blade will press tight against the wall on either side.

This guy is a little less dorky, but still not with the program. (http://www.askthebuilder.com/Drywall_Finishing_Video.shtml)
The guys I work with would laugh.

Check out these video's Ian, much better (http://www.drywallschool.com/videos.htm)
http://www.drywallschool.com/videos.htm (http://www.drywallschool.com/videos.htm)

Or watch these video's first, and then go back to the top, and laugh your behind off.
The last video's are soooo much better.

[Lakee911]

We all need a hobby Hj. What's yours?

I bought four access panels today. This seems a nice place to get them. http://www.accessdoorsdirect.com/

That is the one thing I love most about America. There is no other country on this earth when you can say "Right I want an access panel for my drywall", go online and order it. You can buy anything here so easily.



Actually, I'd rather build an access panel myself than buy one! If I can build one better and cheaper than I can buy it...why not?

Jason

[hj]

You may be able to build it cheaper, but I doubt if it will be BETTER.

[Scuba_Dave]

I know enough about drywalling to know its an art form & let a pro do it
I will mud closets & kitchen walls where cabinets or tile will cover the walls
Plus the cathedral ceiling as I will be putting up some sort of wood over the drywall

I'm a Mod on another site
But most I usually have to do is get rid of spam & duplicate posts/threads

[Ian Gills]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I just got 34 sheets home and unloaded myself. Nobody told me this stuff was heavy.

Phew.

I'll rest today and carry on with the remodel tomorrow.

I calculated the combined weight as over 2000 pounds.

I rented a Chevy truck with a 1500 pound load capacity and it did the job just fine. Very impressive.

[Scuba_Dave]

You're still alive
So it must have been 8' sheets ;)

[Ian Gills]

I came very close to death.

I needed to go to bed afterwards. I have just woken up. My arms and legs have not ached like this in years.

[FloridaOrange]

Is it not the "good" hurt type? :D

[Ian Gills]

My legs feel like they are on fire and my arms feel longer than they used to.

http://www.cartoonstock.com/lowres/mba0815l.jpg

[Scuba_Dave]

Did you use a panel carrier?
If any distance I carry one panel at a time

http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/2062/206204_300.jpg

[Terry]

Ian,
Think of the pros hanging 4x12 sheets of 5/8" on the ceilings.
That stuff is heavy.

That's why, when someone mentions building a home, I tell them,
When it gets time for drywall, take a vacation and let them do it.

It's hard work.

[Cookie]

Ian, when we bought our first house when I was much younger, lol, he was called away for months for a job, and I was left with a nearly, gutted out kitchen. I taught myself how to drywall. One thing I learned was to make sure those sheets are plumb, nice and straight. Lay them over night flat in a place not humid. The walls were easy because I just measured everything first, cutting out the outlets, switches, etc, but the ceiling my dad came over and did for me.

Then, 13 years later, I bought the money pit. Not too long ago, I was left to do a ceiling. Alone. My girlfriend and I had taken a table, used that as a ladder. I measured exact where I was going to screw it into the ceiling. It was so much easier to drill the screw holes while laying down in front of me. I had the girlfriend hold the sheet into place and with the prescrewed holes, oh, Ian, I also, prescrewed into the stud... so, I just matched the holes and screwed the screw in. It didn't seem to take longer to do either because I wasn't hurting my arms trying to screw upwards into something. I was just screwing the screw in. Lots of easier for me, just took alittle time to premeasure where the holes were going on the sheet.

It worked for me.

[Cookie]

I almost forgot, when all finished we got cleaned up, went to the Olive Garden and drank an huge amount of wine, toasting drinks to my ceiling, all 10 sheets. :)
This is the most important part.

[Cookie]

Just one other pointer, if it can be called that, or maybe it is not even right but, this worked for me. When I installed the counter top to the sink and I had to cut out for the faucet I taped it then, I cut. So, I applied this to cutting the drywall, too. I noticed it kept it from getting chewed up alittle. I switched blades after a few cuts, too. I always made sure that blade was sharp. My girlfriend didn't much appreciate that since she was holding the drywall, lol, but like I told her, "better a straight sharp, clean cut than a ragged one, easier to stitch." um, you don't want to know how I know this, lol.

[Cookie]

If you do use the tape, I hope you knew I used the painters tape so it didn't stick hard and was easy when finished and hung to peel off. It didn't mar the sheet, but I think it aided in cutting it nicely. Maybe, just my imagination, but I tried it with it or without it. Plus, when I snapped the sheet off it didn't crumble at all. No mess. Sorry to bother you, :)

[Ian Gills]

Thanks for all the tips everyone and some useful advice there Cookie, thank you.

I am still not quite ready to drywall yet. Today I pulled cable for some receptacles and tomorrow I need to think about telephone and cable outlets.

After that, just maybe, I'll be ready to put the "plasterboard" up (that's what we English call it).

And we call "faucets" - "taps". You would not believe the blank looks I got when I first arrived here and asked for a "tap".

"Receptacles" are "sockets". That drew a blank look too.

And we call "shopping carts" "trolleys". That made a few people laugh the first time I went to Safeway and asked for a "trolley".

[Cookie]

Trolley's, that is cute. :) I call them buggy's and I am pretty sure that might date me here in the states. I have lived pretty much all over the states, and even here in the US they speak another form of English. My town clearly, has their own. Early in the 70's when I got my first class license radio&telegraph, I traveled alot and I enjoyed the differences in language. New Zealand is another country with a language difference that is enjoyable. I am pretty sure they call drywall also, plasterboard or sheetrock. They call their sink counter a bench, and that confused the heck out of me, I kept looking for a seat. Sockets, yeah, my dad taught me to call them sockets... I haven't thought of that word in years. I have heard in the south people sayiing, in regards to the faucets, " to open the taps."

[Agu]

I am taking a week off work next week to begin putting up the drywall in my basement. I have ordered lots of gizmos to help me with this. Any comments on any of them would be appreciated.

You prove the assertion, " The only reason for DIY is an excuse to buy more tools". ;)

Did the same drywalling job with a corded drill, T square, retractable knife, hole saw and several sizes of putty knives.


Don't skimp on the outlets/receptacles, they're cheap and hard to retrofit.