Drywall Tools
The right drywall tools can be the difference between a job well done and a mess. You will need more than hammers, nails, and tape. Choose tools made especially for drywall material to make your the labor required quicker and easier.
What tools are available?Installing drywall is a specialized part of construction that can have an effect on everything else used in constructing a building. Using the right tools not only makes the job easier and quicker, it can help ensure a quality job. A variety of tools are available to help with specific steps involved in the task of installing drywall.
Professional contractors recommend that sheetrock be installed horizontally rather than vertically, and it is recommended that as long a panel as possible be used rather than trying to estimate just the right size. This will help to cut down on the time spent taping and finishing. Lockable rolling lifters and cart dollies can help you place large, heavy panels. Foldable benches hold tools and can serve double duty as step ladders.
One of the more important drywall jobs is to correct taping. Special tools for this job include flat finisher boxes and handles, sheetrock knives for tape, smoothing knives, and putty knives. Corner tapers and rollers ease the all-important job of placing tape on drywall. Two-faced inside corner knives for tape are also available to allow you to work both walls from a corner simultaneously. You will also likely use a plane to ensure all lines are straight and evenly applied. A lifter keeps the panel a couple of inches off the floor to make way for the baseboard.
Surprisingly, stilts are useful drywall tools. They save you the trouble of moving a rolling ladder or scaffold around a room, let you reach the ceiling, and help you access places such as tight corners that are difficult to get to with ladders. Many stilts are made of industrial grade aluminum alloy which makes them lightweight but strong.
You will also need joint compound (mud) pans and mud mixers. Bead hoppers help you apply the mud, and mud tubes, patch, smoothing blades, and nail spotters are also important tools for this step. Rubber texture rollers come with various attractive patterns for a pleasing appearance. Screw guns make sure that specialized drywall screws stay secure. There are various repair and replacement kits for your tools, to use as you work, including replacement blades and wiper gasket seals.
When the job is almost finished, you will need to use sanders, texture brushes, or rotary tools. Complete sanding systems are available. You may need drill bits, strippers, and circle and hole cutters. A jab saw helps you cut out holes for pipes and electrical boxes. When you reach the last steps, it’s time to repair any mistakes, and patch guns can help you repair dings and dents.
Other useful tools that are available include the following:
- Spray cans for applying cement paste
- Shields to keep the work area tidy
- Rasps
- Replacement parts for stilts
- Finishing boxes
- Sponges
- Tape dispensers that allow you to put just the right amount of mud on the tape