Drywall-Tools...
What You'll Need To Get The Job Done!

Installing or repairing drywall is easy if you have the right drywall-tools. Drywall installation is as easy as it gets once you know a few simple steps... and have the right tools. It's not rocket science... That comes later when you have to finish it...LOL! I'm just kidding, but seriously on this page we'll be talking about drywall tools and how to use them. The installation and finishing part I'll leave for another page.

Drywall-installation... You're going to need a few basic tools to work with drywall. Some are for drywall-installation and the rest are used for finishing it. Not shown on this page are specialty tools used for producing textured finishes which I'll leave for another topic.

Breakin It Down...

• A. Stainless Steel Mud Pan This is great for holding joint compound (or mixing quick-setting compound) for repairs or bigger jobs. It takes a lot of mud... more than you might think to do a repair, not to mention newly installed drywall.

• B. Joint Compound (pre-mix) and Joint Tape. Joint compound (known on the job-site as "Mud") can come as a read-mix lightweight such as the one shown above or the traditional "mix-it-yourself" kind. It also comes in a mix-it-yourself "fast drying" compound used to make repairs. Professional handymen like it cause it speeds repair time... which gets them onto the next job faster. Basically Mud is used to embed the tape, provide finishing coats on seams and cover trim, corner beads and screws.

  After drywall-installation... Mud is applied as a base to the seams between the panels and tape is applied over the mud... and then mud is apply over the tape, I could go on and on. The tape is made from paper or fiberglass. Paper tape has a crease down the middle to fold it into inside corners like where a wall meets the ceiling. It is also perforated to help embed it within the compound. Fiberglass tape has an adhesive back making it easier to use. It also makes a stronger seam.

• C. Panel Lifter Since drywall is hung from the top down... this drywall-tool is used to lift the bottom panels off the ground and butt them up against the upper panels. This makes it easy for one person to lift and screw a large panel into place.

• D. Taping Knifes...are used to apply joint compound over the seams or repairs. On new installation, begin with a 6 inch knife to apply the first coat, about 4 inches wide, over the seams and embed the paper tape. Smooth the tape out with the knife and let it dry. Second coats are applied with the larger knifes. Special knifes are available for working on inside and outside corners.

• E. Drywall "T" Square is used to measure and cut drywall. Hook the drywall panel with the short end and mark or cut along the other.

• F. Caulking Gun Uh... is used for caulking. Just thought I'd throw that in there.

• G. Utility Knife (box cutters) are used to cut the paper layer that "sandwiches" the gypsum... then the wall board is "snapped" at the cut line. Once it's been snapped you cut the paper on the other side to complete the cut. It's as easy as that.

• H. Drywall Rasp has got a serrated wire grate to smooth out rough edges on cut drywall. The grated design keeps it from clogging but it will make a mess in short order so you might want to use it outside if you're doing a repair on an otherwise clean house. It's a great drywall-tool for doing repairs as well.

• I. Wall board saw... (key hole saw) used to cut out sections of drywall for outlets or repairs.

  

Drywall Screw-Guns make quick work of Drywall-installation... especially if you're working alone.

They can be rented if you've got a large one-time dry-walling project. This drywall-tool will counter-sink the screws so the joint compound can cover them with ease.

Drywall Hammer is a very specific drywall-tool. They are used for driving drywall nails and have a hatchet type end that is used to knock away rough edges or broken pieces of a repair. Although most professionals use a screw gun they are perfect for making small repairs or hanging one or two pieces of wall board.

Random-orbit-sander with a dust collection port is the only way to go when it comes to sanding drywall. Professionals have other... well... really cool sanders with a dust collection capability but for the handyman or woman... this is the only way to go.

Drywall Lift are amazing tools that can be rented by your local home center or tool rental center. The will lift a panel and hold it in-place while you secure it. It's priceless if you are forced to work alone...

Rotary Cut-Out Tool's are awesome for cutting out fixtures such as recessed lights or outlets. The professionals mark the center of... say a recessed light on the newly hung wall board and use the cut-out tool to finish the job. Here's how it works:

They plunge the tool at the marked location then slide it (as it's spinning) to find the parameter of the recessed light or outlet. Then they use the outside parameter of the light or outlet as a template for the tool to follow. The result is a perfectly cut hole where the fixture is...