Drywall Sander

Drywall Sander

Using The Right Drywall Equipment Makes A Difference

If you want to do a good drywall job, you have to make sure you have the right tools. The right tools and supplies can make the difference between a job that looks amateurish and one that looks like it was done by a professional. If you want to learn to hang drywall like the professionals, try an on line tutorial, or visit one of the large home improvement centers. They frequently give classes on things like this.

Make sure you gather the right tools before you get started on the job. You don't want to start the job and then have to stop because you are missing something. You need two good trowels, a regular plaster trowel and one for corners. You need a hand sander or a block sander and a supply of sandpaper. For high parts of the wall, or for a ceiling, you will need a sanding pole. A cordless drill will be needed oft the drywall screws. If you are doing an entire house, get a larger drill that will work for heavy duty like this. Have a tape measure and a utility knife on hand; you probably don't have to buy those. Get a T square that is large enough for the job, such as a four foot square that can reach across a full sheet. You will not get accurate measures if you do not use a T square. A corner tool, either of plastic or metal is needed for squaring as well. You will need a 4 1/2 inch steel knife and a 10 inch steel knife, a stainless steel mud pan for mixing the compound, a keyhole saw, and a steel ruler.

Once you have all of your tools gathered, put together all of the supplies:

Paper drywall tape
Sandpaper, 100 grit and 200 grit
Drywall compound
Drywall sheets
Screws
Nails
Drop cloths

The most important thing is not to rush the job. If you go slowly, the job will look a lot better than if you rush. The fist thing you should do is sketch the job out. Measure the room or rooms you are doing so you know exactly how large the area is and how many sheets you will need. You should always order more, for some will be wasted. There are different kinds of drywall; if you are doing a bathroom you should use green board, which is resistant to moisture.

The rule of thumb is to start Wit the ceiling and then do the walls. After the ceiling, start at the top of a wall and go down. Keep your boards as close as possible to eliminate seams and keep your sanding to a minimum. Use the T square to keep each square, also to cut pieces. Score along the square with the utility knife and then break the sheet.

After you have hung all of the drywall, you will tape over the seams. Tape very firmly, using a finishing knife and then smooth out the compound the the knife, and use the corner tool around the corners. This should be left to dry for at least 24 hours. Remember that rushing things will lead to a messy job. After the first coat is dry, sand it down and apply another coat. Let dry a full day, sand and do a third coat. Let this final coat dry thoroughly before it is sanded. Taking your time and waiting between coats will give you the smoothest finish to your wall.

About the Author

Linden Walhard regularly produces papers on topics like drywall equipment and air tools. You can see his
articles on drywall tools
over at http://www.insidewoodworking.com .

Porter-Cable 77155 Foam Backed Drywall Sander Pads (5-pk,150 Grit) $39.99 Foam Backed Drywall Sander Pads (5 pk,150-Grit) - 77155

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Festool 571579 LHS 225 Planex Drywall Sander $1000 LHS 225 Planex Drywall Sander - 571579. 9-in Sanding Pad - 495168. 9-in P150-Grit Brilliant Sanding Sheet. Extension Pole. Control Unit. Plug-It Cord. MAXI Systainer

Marshalltown Trowel Marshalltown Trowel Drywall Sander Head 14426 $12.83 Drywall sander head Die-cast aluminum base, bonded foam rubber pad, positive lock clamps Model No. 26, pole sander head, 9-3/8? x 3-1/4? Brand #: Marshalltown Trowel 14426 UPC: 035965044264 Keywords: sander pole ceiling drywall

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Sh101U - Drywall Hand Sander $15.44 [6275622] UPC: 038662511084 12.23L x 13.26W x 9.3H 0.48 LB 0.87 Cubes

Sp202U - Drywall Pole Sander $15.06 [6276471] UPC: 038662511091 8.43L x 12.26W x 9.55H 0.45 LB 0.57 Cubes

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Sv303U - Vacuum Drywall Hand Sander $29.9 [6744270] UPC: 038662511107 13.76L x 14.13W x 14.66H 1.22 LB 1.65 Cubes

6157 - Drywall Pole Sander Head $18.6 [6042873] UPC: 035965161572 13.63L x 19.66W x 11.67H 0.45 LB 1.81 Cubes

12 - 12In Drywall Block Sander $14.07 [6978845] UPC: 066890000124 21.02L x 11.05W x 4.16H 0.43 LB 0.56 Cubes