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Tools You Will Need

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As far as cutting tools are concerned, you will need a basic utility knife and a T-square for making straight cuts. A drywall saw is helpful for cutting around obstacles. If you cut your sheet too big, you can shave the ends off with a rasp. When cutting around electrical boxes, use a keyhole saw, and for round cuts, like around light fixture boxes, use a circle cutter. A drywall router is a power tool that is also helpful for cutting around fixtures. You can hang the drywall and cut the holes after its up.

If you are putting up drywall on a ceiling, you may need some drywall lifts or jacks. Drywall lifts can be rented and function to hold the drywall in place on the ceiling while you nail it to the joists. Drywall jacks do the same thing, except that they are manual devices made out of 2 x 4’s. You can make a drywall jack yourself. A drywall lifter is another helpful tool for keeping your drywall in place on the ceiling.

When fastening drywall, it’s essential to have a drywall hammer. It creates a dimple around the nail without breaking the paper on the surface of the drywall. It you are using screws instead of nails, you will want a drywall screw gun.

To finish the project, you’ll need a taping knife, a mud pan, a pole sander and a wet sanding pad for sanding the joints, and a sprayer to texture the ceilings.

There are also several types of joint compound to choose from, depending on the type of job you are doing. Joint compounds come pre-mixed or in powder form. Powdered joint compounds are available in a couple of different textures. Taping compound is used for the tape coat because it is strong and coarse. Topping compound us used for the fill coat, the finish coat, and for texturing because it is thinner and finer. All-purpose joint compound comes pre-mixed and can be used for any coat since it is a combination of both the taping compound and the topping compound. This is a good choice for the novice drywaller or those doing home repairs. Chemically setting compounds are only available in powder form and are very strong. This type of compound is difficult to sand, but would be useful for filling gaps when remodeling plaster for walls.

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