LITTLE THINGS- FLAT BOX HANDLES

Often overlooked is the importance of flat box handles in good working condition. The brake activating system is an important part of the control required for successful flat finishing.
When a flat box is attached to the handle, the brake control should hold the box firmly in the desired position for starting the flat box, especially on ceilings. Proper function of the brake system is also very important for control when lifting the box away from a seam at the end of a run.
With quadrant-style brake grips, make sure the set screw is fresh (not mushroomed like after long periods of use) and also make sure the quadrant itself does not have overly worn friction grooves.
For more information on tuning up or repairing flat box handles, see our websites www.tapingtools.com/tips-tool-dr.htm or www.tipsfromthetooldr.com
Be the boxing champ in your neighborhood!

AUTOMATIC TAPER PLUNGER TIPS

One of the most common issues with drywall AUTOMATIC TAPERS is the plunger allowing leakage inside the main tube.
Over the years, this has been quite an ongoing issue in the taping tool industry, with manufacturers approaching the solution with various plunger cups made of rubber, leather and combinations of both.
Sometimes after cleaning your automatic taper, there may be a slight residual of mud left inside the tube. If it dries there, the next time you use the automatic taper, as the plunger moves past the area of dried mud compound, it will open up the plunger cup momentarily and allow compound to leak past the plunger. After several refills, it appears you have quite a leak in your main tube.
Not to worry! Most often, a good, thorough cleaning inside the main tube with a garden hose or pressure washer will make the leak go away.
In the event you clean inside the main tube and still experience unusual leakage past the plunger, it may be time to replace the plunger.
Helpful notes for doing this are available on or instructional CD's at www.tipsfromthetooldr.com
If the job is more than you want to tackle yourself, we can do the necessary repairs for you. Shipping instructions and assistance are available at http://tapingtools.com/services.htm
Wishing you a happy taping season!

Drywall Taping Tool Maintenance Tips

We hear a lot of different words describing automatic taping tools. For example, an automatic taper is also called "the gun", "the tube"or "bazooka". Angle heads may be called "glazers", "corner finishers", "corner flushers", "wings", "corner heads" etc. Flat boxes can be "flat finishers", "flat flushers" or simply "boxes". And how about corner applicators? Try "angle box", "angle applicator", "corner flusher box", "slop box", "hockey box" etc.
Whatever tool you are working on or what you call it, there are a couple VERY IMPORTANT GUIDELINES for maintenance success:
First- Most of the screws and fasteners on drywall taping tools are small and DON'T REQUIRE EXCESSIVE TIGHTENING FORCE! In most cases, snug plus 1/8 turn is plenty to keep a screw tight.
Second- Many of the small screws used in taping tools are available at hardware or automotive stores, BUT it is extremely important to choose STAINLESS STEEL when purchasing your fasteners. This will avoid corrosion that happens after a tool is subject to the water and moisture of general working conditions, as well as making future repairing and rebuilding far easier!
For specialty STAINLESS STEEL FASTENERS, see our websites www.tapingtools.com or www.tipsfromthetooldr.com for contact and ordering information.

Angle Head Terminology

What's an angle head?
Depending on what part of the country you're in, or what you are used to calling them, I've heard "angle head", "corner finisher", "glazer", "wing", "plow", "corner flusher", etc.
Whatever you call your drywall angle "thing", the most important aspect is that it's running properly!
Other terminology I encounter when an angle head is not operating properly are "edges" and "trails."
These conditions occur when the blades & skids are not set properly in relation to each other. Technically, the skids (or side blades) should be .002" lower than the main blades, or a "thumbnail click" difference.
If the skids are too much lower than the blades, you will get "trails", the mud feathers to the edges and then leaves a trail behind the angle head.
If the skids are higher than the blades, you will get "edges"- the mud does not feather at the edges and leaves thick mud that needs sanding.
All the settings and explanations are available on our instructional Cd's at www.tipsfromthetooldr.com or www.tapingtools.com
Check them out for happy angle finishing!

COLD WEATHER ALERT!

If you are using your drywall taping tools in cold weather areas (below 20 degrees F) it is extremely important to protect your tools from freezing!
A tool left outside overnight in freezing weather may burst, causing expensive damage. (If you want to know what happens to drywall tools that freeze, put a can of soda in your freezer overnight- you get the picture!)
Keep tools inside when storing overnight, and if transporting between jobs in freezing temperatures, keep the tools inside your vehicle! You can wrap the head of an automatic taper in plastic or a mud bag, and also the same thing with pumps and other tools.
You'll thank me when you start working on your next job!
For troubleshooting tips and repair techniques, se our online manuals at www.tipsfromthetooldr.com or if you need your tools serviced, see easy shipping instructions at www.tapingtools.com

Drywall flat boxes- Solutions!

Flat boxes (or flat finishers as some call them) are a tremendous time saver if they are running properly.
A couple issues we see with flat boxes are that they leave "edges" or are not putting enough mud compound on the seams.
If your box(es) are edging, many times a quick 1/4 turn clockwise (tightening) of the blade adjusting screws will re-position the blade to again give you a good finish. If you have already done that and your box is still not finishing properly, it might be time for a new blade. CD manuals with complete instructions are available on our two websites www.tapingtools.com or www.tipsfromthetooldr.com
If the box is not putting enough mud compound on the seams, that could be caused by storing the box too long with tension set on the dial adjuster and reducing the "crown" of the blade holder. Grab the top of the box, pulling back a couple times on the blade holder to re-apply some crown to the blade.
Full drywall taping tool services and shipping instructions are available at this link.

Quick Tip From The Tool Dr.

One of the most common situations we see with drywall taping tools is regarding the automatic taper.
Occasionally, dried mud or debris will get through the pump and cause the filler valve to stick open and leak- WHAT A NUISANCE!
Usually a good blast of water from a garden hose nozzle or pressure washer directed into the valve will clear it. If not, take a bare piece of copper wire such as found on many jobsites and bend a slight "L" about 1/8" from the end. Work the wire down inside the valve to dislodge stubborn debris and then flush again with water. That should do it in most cases!
See our complete drywall tool repair manuals at www.tipsfromthetooldr.com
Happy taping!
The Tool Dr.