Posted on

Why Are DeWalt Tools So Good?

DeWalt Tools

At Gypsum Tools, we pride ourselves on offering quality products from trusted suppliers and tool manufacturers with a strong reputation and reliability. One of those is DeWalt; a well-known firm that began back in 1960 under the leadership of Raymond E DeWalt, inventor of the very first radial arm saw.

With a vision to be recognised as one of the best in the industry, DeWalt worked tirelessly on product development and business expansion – and it paid off.

In the 1990s, DeWalt brought their brand new range of portable tools onto the market, inspired by the success of bigger brands like Black & Decker, and in conjunction with the German company, ELU, which specialises in technology for woodwork. It was very well received and soon they became renowned for ingenuity of tool design and being well ahead of the field.

What sets DeWalt apart is an ethos of high standards and expectations based on the needs and expertise of real life tradesmen and women, whose advice and feedback are built into their product development. This means professionals trust this brand and know they can expect consistently top quality performance from any DeWalt tool.

If you own more than one power tool from DeWalt, the chances are you’ll be able to make multiple uses of chargers and accessories, which means it’s well worth sticking with the brand. Their own patented ‘Flexvolt’ technology has proved to be revolutionary in the use of cordless power tools, even for heavy-duty jobs. The impact and improvements on time, money and effort is a radical upgrade in working practice and economic savings for drywalling professionals.

But it’s not just DeWalt power tools that are going to give you professional results.

Even a basic DeWalt putty knife or taping knife has the same design precision and attention to detail. You can invest in a range of DeWalt drywall hand tools or sets for drywall taping and finishing tools, which means you’ll have everything you need to offer a professional service time and again. But if you just need an individual specialist product, we can supply these at great prices so you can update your equipment over time.

Our DeWalt drywall taping tools such as finishing spatulas, corner rollers, spatula poles, or spatula adaptors, are going to be great additions to your drywall and taping kit. DeWalt taping tools are right up there with any other brand and you can be totally confident in their quality.

So if you’re looking for drywall tools and supplies to get the professional finish for your next job, think of DeWalt and check out our fantastic range of products today.

Find out how you can make huge savings on our taping tools with our DeWalt Kit Builder, featuring DeWalt and Level 5 taping tools.

Posted on

The Evolution Of The Wall

Plasterer adding second coat

A wall is an everyday thing that we don’t normally think twice about when we see it, whether it’s an interior or exterior wall in a shopping centre or in a prestigious gallery. But just imagine how varied and versatile its uses have been over the (literally!) thousands of years it’s been used in civilisations right across the world.

From mud-made walls to the fine art that dryliners, fixers jointers and plasterers now carry out. It’s also easy to forget that plaster and jointing compound in its basic form is a combination of things like sand, rock, cement, lime, and water.

Plaster Has Revolutionised Wall Building

The main point of building a wall right from its earliest days, was to bring windproof, waterproof protection to dwellings so that everyday people could stay safe and dry, whatever the weather. And then of course, over the years building internal walls and ceilings became an art. We’ve seen plaster and jointing compound being used for aesthetic effect to create a look of richness and beauty in the extravagant homes and prestigious buildings such as museums, theatres and palaces.

All those aspects of making a wall remain part of the use and purpose of the material, but time has led to sizeable industry improvements in technology and skill, in keeping with the needs of contemporary life.

So, plaster has been made from all kinds of things over its long history; some of which are cheap and readily available, and others that were more expensive and refined. But let’s concentrate for now on the most popular modern day forms of building a wall… drylining.

These days, gypsum (also known as calcium sulfate dihydrate) has become the main component of drywall compound. It has a crystalline structure that makes it perfect for the job. No fibrous binding material is needed because when gypsum get wet, they bind automatically and naturally. We all love a smooth mix!

Check Out Our Range Of Plastering Materials & Tools

For ease of use, why not try 4T plaster compound that’s ready to use straight out of the box and doesn’t necessarily even need mixing. Something like Wondertex Prem, which is great for filling and finishing. To save even more effort and energy, how about getting a cordless mixer that will do the hard work for you? And you could invest in a DeWalt mixing paddle, which will even save you for bending down – excellent news for your back!

We have all the drywall and plastering supplies you need for any project. Just have a look through our entire range to find the materials and equipment you need for the finish you’re after. If for any reason you can’t find what you need, be sure to give us a call and we’ll try our best to get you exactly what you need!

Posted on

The Ultimate Sanding Guide For Beginners

Full Circle Air Radius 360 Dust-free Sanding System

Let’s make it easy for you to start sanding if you’ve never really learned how.

To start with, choose the right sandpaper – coarse or fine. Coarse has larger aluminium oxide particles, which means you’ll be sanding faster and with more aggression. When you’re ready for the finishing touches, you’ll want to go for a fine grit paper. Be patient with it, and you’ll be polishing the surface to a lovely smooth end product.

You can use paper on its own of course, or wrapped around a block for more stability. If you have a larger area to sand, it’s worth using a tool, such as an orbital sander, which also have a dustless system keeping you safe.

Sanding tools can be fitted with all kinds of accessories, depending on the surface you’re sanding. A sanding disc, for example, isn’t as heavy duty than a sanding band. An abrasive brush will work on a surface layer without causing harm below that surface. Perfect for sanding down drywall after yoru taping and jointing.

Take care, because sanding inevitably creates dust in the air, which isn’t nice to breathe in anyway, but especially when you know some of those particles could be toxic. A face mask is a great way to keep the dust inhalation to a minimum, and plastic goggles are a good idea to protect your eyes, safety first!

This is also applicable when cutting drywall to the size you require. When using a drywall jab saws and rasps to smooth off your edges, remember to wear the relevant PPE to protect yourself. Also make sure you’re wearing gloves to keep your hands safe.

A vacuum cleaner is going to be vital, to avoid particles make their way into your paintwork or accumulating in the area you’re trying to clean. Give it a vacuum to remove most of the sanding dust, and then with a damp cloth give it a bit of a wipe to finish it off.

Everything you need is available from the Gypsum Tools site. We stock a range of sanding tools and accessories, including heavy duty kit such as the Giraffe Wall & Ceiling Sander, which has full safety features, as well as speed selection controls.If you’re working on some drywall sanding and you want a more manual approach, the Full Circle Flex Edge Multi-Layered Drywall Sanding Tool is going to be perfect. Or if you’re simply DIY’ing we have loads of sanding blocks and more.

We sell foam replacement pads for this type of project, as well a range of sandpaper sheets. But even if you’re planning a small scale sanding project, we can help you with hand sanders, and sanding tools and supplies to fit the job. Just let us know exactly what you need and we’ll be happy to help!

Posted on

Strong As An Ox – Tools That You Can Depend On

Ox Tools

What’s the point of a tool unless it can stand up to some serious hard work? That’s one of the beliefs we hold here at Gypsumtools, which is why we recommend OX tools – a range praised in construction circles for their strength, durability and price point.

Not only that, they offer outstanding safety features like an ergonomic handle design that ensures you get a decent grip when you’re working. And if that wasn’t enough, their striking cyan blue signature colour is immediately recognisable across the industry for top notch tooling. OX tools are the business.

Take, for example, plastering and finishing. You’ll want a finishing tool with an ultra-fine blade that will work well with any gypsum-based plaster. OX gives you just that. If you’re working with plaster, the OX Trade Stainless Steel Plasterers Trowel is made using a 0.3mm ultra-flexible blade which is perfect for getting the best finish with the least effort.

You should definitely keep an OX Pro Retractable Folding Knife somewhere in your tool kit. It’ll come in handy time and again. The blades are sharp but safe to change, and the grip is comfortable and very easy on the hand. And while we’re talking about ease, the OX Stubby Adjustable Wrench Jaw is designed with an extra short handle to make easy work of the trickiest to access areas you’ll ever encounter.

Or how about the OX Aluminium Hawk? It’s made from tempered aluminium which makes it a premium product and comes complete with a soft grip rubber handle for additional comfort. It not only looks sleek and polished, it’s going to last you a very long time.

Other OX hand tools include the Industrial Quality Pro Wire Snips that feature stainless steel serrated edged blades for increased cutting capacity, the Speedskim Flex Finishing Rule that’s specifically designed to enhance the quality of your finish, and the Semi Flexible Plastering Rule for use on ceilings, walls and floors.

How have OX managed to reach such high standards at such affordable prices? Well, it’s because they’ve considered the needs of their market by actually asking them, and fine-tuned their tools over time to make ongoing improvements. The technology is cutting edge, drawing on the expertise of US, German and other European tool designers. This company is an award winner, and we’d all agree it’s well deserved.

For all your OX tool requirements, take a look at our dedicated page with their full range of tools and latest offers. Stock up on OX tools and you can be confident with every new job that your kit won’t ever let you down!

Posted on

Why Is Plastering Tape So Important?

Drywall Taping

There’s one thing you should never forget that when you’re plastering a wall – and that’s preparation. Preparation is everything.

A flawed surface underneath your handiwork is going to be much harder for you to cover. Get it right, or you won’t be able to guarantee to get that smooth professional finish you’re after.

Skip this step and you’ll spend far too long working to hide the dodgy joins that haven’t been properly prepared in the surface below. That’s why, whether you’re plastering a tiny patch of wall in the kitchen or a major commercial property, plastering tapes are going to be your all-round best friend.

Types Of Plastering Tape

Plastering tape comes in a few different types, making it suitable for the whole range of walls and surfaces you could ever find yourself drywalling. Basic drywall tape is usually made of paper, which means it’s easy to tear, flexible to use, and lightweight to apply.

When you’ve applied your jointing compound to fill the gap between plasterboard panels, a strip of drywall tape over the top ensures that the join doesn’t become visible again when the wall has dried. Perfect.

Scrim tape is very popular for beginners working with plasterboard, and it’s also a good all round tape. It has the added benefit that you don’t need to use jointing compound with it, so it’s less fiddly. Made of fibreglass, the construction is like an interwoven mesh of threads, which gives it the flexibility and strength you need, and it won’t bubble up or move around like some other tapes.

Lastly, we’d also highlight Wondertex metal angle tape which a superior style of tape that is reinforced with galvanised metal. This steel reinforcement gives the tape incredible rigidity and strength, making it perfect for finishing internal and external drywall corners.

With a specially-designed fold down its middle, this style of tape can be applied quickly and easily with the assurance each corner will be straight and sharp.

Find The Perfect Tape For The Job

When you’ve chosen the type of tape you need for this job, make sure you get the right width. Normally 1 to 2 inches is fine, but if you’re working on a bigger area, you can get much wider tapes. Ultimately you just want to keep the joins as tidy as you can, so speak to us for more guidance here if you need it.

You’ll learn by experience how to get the preparation right the first time, with just the right drywall and plastering tapes.

Experienced dryliners have their preferences, and some stick with tried and tested tapes they’ve used for years. Others experiment with new tapes as and when they come on the market. The important thing is to finish the join as if it was going to be on display – then the plastering on top will be a breeze!

Still need some guidance? Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help!

Posted on

Automated Tools Are Now Must-Haves – Here’s Why!

taping tools

Did you know, the very first drywalling taping tools came onto the market back in the 1930s? That’s nearly 90 years ago.

But the truth is, even in 2019, many contractors are still working as if they’re back in that era. and it’s understandable.

Is It Time To Upgrade?

If you normally do your drywalling by hand in the time-tested way most professionals learned their trade as apprentices, you might not have given the new automatic taping tools a second thought. After all, you don’t want to find yourself doing a job that’s below par. You’ve spent years honing your craft and taking pride in your work.

But if we can get your attention just for a second on the subject of automated tools, we might have some good news for you.

We’d like to let you know how plugging in could actually make all the difference to your business – not just in terms of the hard work you’re putting in, but in cost-efficiency too. Not only would you save precious time and save on man hours, you could find yourself with a more efficient work flow that means you can charge the same for the same job, but spend less time doing it.

The most important thing to take away from this is that the quality of finish you get from automatic taping tools is impressively good and, if done right, will match hand finishers. Automatic taping tools are designed by professionals who know the high quality of manual work you produce – they are made to perfect drywalling fixing and finishing results at a fraction of the speed it would normally take you.

Get The Edge Over Your Competitors

In the marketplace you’re up against your local competitors every day, and the chances are they haven’t caught on to automation yet – so why not give yourself a big head start by getting trained in automatic taping tools, investing in the right equipment, and giving your staff the benefit of some professional development!

Your walls will be smooth, perfectly prepared – still the same recipe for job satisfaction as ever.

How about safety? Well, you’ll reduce the risk substantially by using automated tools as you’ll be able to reach higher places with less equipment. In fact, safe working is one of the driving forces behind the growing popularity of automated taping tools.

Have we got you interested? Contact us if you need some more information, or have a look through our range of taping tools to discover the equipment that will work best for your business needs. Don’t want to commit? Why not hire? We reckon you’ll soon be back to thank us for introducing you to automated taping tools!

Posted on

Level 5 – Affordable Drywall Tools That Work!

LEVEL5 Tools

Here’s some great news for drywallers everywhere, and it’s called Level 5. If you’re looking for quality at competitive prices when you’re stocking up on drywall tools, you’ll definitely want to consider Level 5 products.

Who Are Level 5?

Level 5 began trading (under a different name) nearly 20 years ago, and over that time they’ve expanded and developed steadily and impressively to become one of the biggest names in value products for drywalling. Whether you’re looking for tools or drywall supplies, for taping or finishing, Level 5 really do understand what’s needed for professional results.

What’s more, they supply it at a fraction of the price of some other manufacturers.

With Level 5 tools, you’ll get an impressive 7-year warranty with some tools, which is backed up by excellent customer service and industry knowledge. That’s why so many of our clients are regular Level 5 customers.

We Stock The Full Range

At Gypsumtools, we’re proud to stock Level 5 products and recommend them to our customers, not just for the price tag, but for the quality too.

You could be paying only half what you would for comparable drywall tools from other brands when you choose Level 5. And of course any repairs and replacements are dealt with swiftly and professionally.

Take a look at our product pages for the full range of Level 5 hand tools and automatic taping tools. You’ll find taping knives, putty knives, and pointing knives, all designed for excellent grip and flexibility. Some taping tools are bundled too so you can stock up a load of different tools at a competitive price. Corner finishing tools and mud pan bundles are among the bargains you can order from us at Gypsumtools.

Great Tools At Great Prices!

How do their prices stay so affordable? Simply by maintaining the priority for giving the customer the best possible price without cutting corners.

With many tools a third less than competitor’s prices, you’ll not only have the tool you need for an excellent drywalling job, you’ll also have kept your budget on track – which means valuable savings you can pass on to your own clients, or save for elsewhere in your building project.

Level 5 is a global brand with a track record of quality goods and excellent service. What’s more, many of their repair parts work equally well as a replacement for more expensive brands, which is great news if you just needed a part.

This could solve your tooling problem at a fraction of the price. It’s worth checking, so give us a call and we’ll be able to help!

Find out how you can make huge savings on our taping tools with our Taping Tool Kit Builder, featuring DeWalt and Level 5 taping tools.

Posted on

Dry Lining Vs Wet Plaster – Which Is Best?

Dry Lining Or Wet Plaster

When it comes to getting that professional finish on your interior walls, it’s essential to go for the materials that give you the appearance and functionality you need, at the right price.

You’re basically faced with the choice between wet plaster and dry lining. Of course the decision will come down to a few different factors, like the price, soundproofing, ease of application, and the location of the work. Let’s go through a few general factors that will help you in most situations to make the right call.

Breaking Down The Options

Now, obviously, dry lining is faster. Getting a piece of plasterboard in place speeds things up, and you avoid the problem of cracks and surface issues that can be a challenge with wet plaster.

Wet plaster still has a lot of benefits though. Whether you go for gypsum that’s trowelled onto blockwork, or cement – both of which need to be finished with a skim of gypsum) – the cost is about the same. It’s an especially good choice for tricky areas, but it does need some degree of skill.

And there’s also the option for using traditional materials like lime or clay, which costs more but may work for you if you like a finish that’s in keeping with natural renovations.

Speed And Price Are Factors

If you go for plasterboard, you can tape over joins, or alternatively, add a skim layer of plaster over the whole surface. The dry lining can be joined to the wall with adhesive, or screwed onto timber frames. Fixings such as heating and shelves aren’t always a simple job with dry-lining, whereas a plastered wall makes this a much simpler job.

So basically, the costs aren’t that much different between wet plaster and dry lining, but the time difference and hence the labour costs are much higher for wet plaster. Depending on the time of year, waiting for the freshly plastered wall to dry can also take a few days wait.

If you’re in a rush, you prefer to save on labour costs, and if you’re not overly concerned about fixtures on this wall, then you may be better off considering dry lining.

Summary

We can provide all the dry lining tools you’ll need to complete the job too, from the simpler things like hammers and hawks through to the more specialist tools like drills, vacuums and sanders.

If you’re unsure about the exact tools you’ll need for job, just let us know and we’ll be happy to help. You can call us on 08456 254 321 or we also have a live chat option on our website.

Posted on

What Plastering Tools Does An Apprentice Need?

plaster-to-plaster

So you’re about to embark on the road to becoming a fully trained professional plasterer? That’s great news – but what exactly do you need to get started?

Understanding what tools an apprentice plasterer needs can be challenging, especially if you’re completely new to the industry and starting from square one. That’s where we come in!

As one of the UK’s leading suppliers of plastering and dry lining equipment, we’re perfectly placed to help you get the tools you need at a great price.

What tools do you need as part of your apprentice kit? Don’t panic, we’re going to run through a complete kit so you know exactly which tools you need to start your plastering journey.

This is the complete apprentice plastering kit checklist so get your notepad out, here we go!

The Checklist

As a minimum, any plastering apprentice will need the following tools to start work on site:

  • Plastering Trowel
  • Bucket Trowel
  • Hawk
  • Water Brush
  • Corner Trowel

These tools are required for any novice plasterer learning their trade – as time passes, you’ll need a few more as your skill level improves, but the list above covers the basic techniques. All our apprentice kits contain these tools as a minimum, so check these out if you’re looking for a comprehensive collection of plastering tools.

Before we get to the tools in more detail, there’s one brief but important point that needs to be made. We often get asked if buying cheap plastering tools is worth it, and the short answer is no – you’ll never get a high quality finish from a low quality piece of equipment, so if you’re serious about becoming a professional and reputable plasterer, you need to invest in your tools set.

Not only do the better tools give you a better finish, they’ll also speed up your work and generally make life on site that bit easier for you.

Anyway, back to the list! First up, we have the most important tool in your arsenal…

Plastering Trowel

If you’re going to plaster a wall or ceiling, you’re going to need a trowel of course. Choosing the right trowel for you can be tough as there are thousands on the market, but our apprentice kits use trowels selected from respected brands like Marshalltown and Nela.

When you’re starting out and learning how to plaster, we’d suggest starting out with a 14” trowel as this brings the perfect balance of size and control. Too small a trowel and you’ll struggle to hold the plaster when applying it to a wall; too big and you won’t be able to develop your technique effectively.

Learning how to use your plastering trowel correctly will be tough at first, but once you get the hang of it you can look to upgrade your tool.

Whatever you do here, don’t go for something cheap – your plastering trowel is what will deliver the high quality finish so it makes sense to invest. We recommend the Marshalltown 14” trowel which comes as part of the Marshalltown apprentice kit.

Bucket Trowel

Another key tool is the bucket trowel, used for scooping up your plaster before applying it to the surface. Again there are thousands of options here just like the plastering trowel, but it’s slightly less critical to invest in quality here as this tool doesn’t directly impact the finish of your work.

All our apprentice kits contain a bucket trowel as standard.

Hawk

You have a choice of material when it comes to plastering hawks – plastic or aluminium.

In some cases, apprentices can find plastic hawks easier to use due to their lighter weight. That said, because they’re made from plastic they have a tendency to snap after periods of extended use.

Aluminium hawks are included in our apprentice packs as they are stronger and more durable, making them a longer-lasting option. They can be slightly more tricky to use because of their weight, but aluminium is still quite light and there’s no risk of the hawk snapping.

Water Brush

All apprentices will need a water brush as this is used towards the end of the plastering process to give a perfect finish to the final coat of plaster.

It’s also a handy tool to have around when you’re running behind schedule and the plaster is starting to set – a quick wipe with your water brush and you can save your walls.

Again, water brushes are dime a dozen but the cheap knock-off versions will leave bristles in your plaster and delay you on site. Invest in a reliable branded tool here.

Corner Trowel

Last but by no means least, we have the corner trowel. Another crucial tool in your kit, the corner trowel is used to smooth down the plaster in the corner of a room.

When you’re working on an entire room, you’re going to need to plaster in the corners where the walls meet. Without a corner trowel, leaving a high quality finish at a 90 degree angle will be almost impossible.

Our apprentice kits always include a corner trowel as standard, usually from reputable brands like Marshalltown and RST.

Summary

This concludes our list of the key plastering tools any apprentice needs to start their journey of becoming a professional plasterer. This isn’t an exhaustive list and it’s likely that you’ll need many more tools on the job, but this list is a great place to start.

Don’t forget to check out our range of apprentice kits designed to give you all the tools you need at a fantastic price!

Posted on

Secure Your Plastering & Drylining Tools With Armorgard

Armorgard OxBox

After a long day on site, it’s time to down tools and head home for a well-deserved break before starting up again the next day.

The plastering or drylining tools you’ve worked hard and paid for need to be stored safely overnight under lock and key until the next morning, so it’s important to know they’re in a safe place away from the possibility of damage or worse, theft.

When it comes to high quality secure storage options for tools of all shapes and sizes, Armorgard offer some of the best products on the current market. From concept and design through to manufacture and servicing, their team support the UK’s network of plasterers and drylining with robust tool storage systems built around the needs of the everyday user.

We’re delighted to stock a selection of plastering and drylining tool storage products from Armorgard to our customers. We’ve chosen to partner with Armorgard because of their continued attention to detail and value for money across their entire product range – something we know our customers have benefitted from time and time again.

Not only that, Armorgard understand that storing drylining tools safely shouldn’t be taken lightly. Theft from building sites or the work vehicles of professional tradesmen is unfortunately all too common these days, so keeping your tools protected in an Armorgard storage unit can provide the security and reliability you need.

This brand understands that their products will ‘take a knock’ every now and then, especially on site, which is why their range is designed with a core focus on strength and durability.

If you need a safe way to store your tools, Armorgard offer a variety of different options to suit the size and weight of your products. All Armorgard products are tested to a strict quality control standard to ensure the very best quality and guarantee the safety of your plastering or drylining tools.

Not only are these storage systems safe, they also pay attention to small details that can make using the system that little bit easier, for example:

  • Powerful gas-powered struts are used on each storage box to help open and close the lid, taking away the weight and allowing you to focus on grabbing the tools you need.
  • Heavy duty Chubb-style keys come as standard and won’t snap easily. They can also be removed from the lock when the box is unlocked for ease of access.
  • Each product is branded with a unique serial number for additional security and this gives you the option of a guaranteed replacement key service in the event you misplace your existing set.
  • Forklift skids are in place on all the storage system products for extra mobility and come with pre-drilled holes which allow castors to be added simply and easily.

During the development of all their products, the Armorgard team spend a significant amount of time on construction and works sites to ensure their next set of tool storage options are tailored to the needs of the market. New products must continue to match the already high standards set by their predecessors and, most importantly, remain innovative and versatile.

Here at Gypsumtools, we’re proud to provide a selection of Armorgard products including the ever-popular OxBox Site Box as well as the mobile Cutting Station and Folding Board Trolley. All of these products combine stylish design with reliability, something that is almost guaranteed to improve your productivity when working on site.

As the UK’s go-to brand for durable products that work, Armorgard are comfortably ahead of the competition for tool storage innovation and quality.

Posted on

Drywall Flat Boxes – Should You Be Using One?

Using a drywall flat box

If you’re about to start putting up some drywall or thinking about becoming a drywalling professional, getting the right kit for the task in hand can be challenging – especially if you’ve little-to-no experience in the field already.

That said, you’ll be pleased to hear there is a range of automatic drywalling tools that have been specifically designed to make your life quicker and easier. With years of design and development behind them, these tools are must-haves if you want to drywall effectively.

One of those tools is the drywall flat box.

What Is A Drywall Flat Box?

Once your drywall has been put up, you’ll want to start covering the joints between boards with a combination of tape and joint compound to leave a smooth finish across the entire surface of your wall. You can do this by hand or by using an automatic taper for speed and efficiency.

After the tape and compound have been applied, this is where your flat box comes in.

Drywall flat boxes come in various sizes (including 7”, 10” and 12”) and is run over each joint in turn, trowelling the compound and feathering the edges for a precise crown. They are used to ensure more consistent results and a smooth finish across all drywall joints. The box is designed as a device that will make your drywalling life easier and the job of covering joints much quicker to complete.

We think that once you’ve used a drywall flat box, you won’t want to go back to doing the job manually!

How To Use A Drywall Flat Box

Take a look at our drywall flat boxes to see what exactly we’re talking about here.

The flat box in itself isn’t a complicated tool to use, but mastering its delivery of compound in a smooth and consistent way will take practise. The box is filled with joint compound and this pushes the hinged pressure plate forward – this in turn forces the joint compound out through a slot on the face panel.

The adjustable crown setting dial gives you the freedom to amend how quickly the joint compound is pushed through the slot, meaning you can change the amount of joint compound being used between applications.

When you start to work on your drywall, the compound flows out of the slot in the face plate and a steel blade then smooths it to ensure a consistent finish throughout the application.

As you use your drywall flat box, make sure you lay the box wheels and blade flat against the joint. Then, release the brake lever which is located at the bottom of the handle and put consistent pressure onto the face plate as you move the box across the length of the joint.

Remember to keep the handle angled at 45 degrees to deliver the best finish possible. Also, make sure you start at the end of the joint and work in towards the middle – to finish a vertical joint, start at the bottom, work to the middle and then from the top down.

Last but by no means least, when you remove the drywall flat box from the wall, do this in a smooth sweeping motion to avoid leaving clumps of compound on the joint.

Reasons To Use A Drywall Flat Box

There are a number of advantages to using a drywall flat box, much in the same way as using an automatic taper. These benefits include:

  • Complete joint finishing quicker and more efficiently
  • Finishing with the flat box requires significantly less physical effort than finishing by hand
  • Easier to finish joints in hard-to-reach areas
  • Work safer, without the need for ladders or plastering stilts
  • Enjoy a smoother, cleaner finish on every joint
  • Save both time and money with less room for error

Summary

If you only need to drywall one site or the job is relatively small, you might feel that investing in a drywall flat box isn’t necessary. Flat boxes require regular maintenance and cleaning after each use, so while it could be a pain for small sites, it could be a blessing for any larger drywall jobs.

We offer a selection of drywall flat boxes including the Columbia Fat Boy Box and the Level 5 Mega Flat Box – you can take a look at the full range here.

Order your drywall flat box online today!

 

Posted on

4T Jointing Compound – Versatile, Durable & High Quality

As one of the leading jointing compound products available on the market right now, 4T has been designed specifically for the drywall professional.

If you’re looking for a compound that can make your job easier, this is the one for you. 4T has such a multitude of uses that it can save you both time and money over the long term – use it for everything from embedding tape and finishing corner bead to topping and texturing.

And before we get into this post, we’re delighted to announce we are ready to take your pre-orders of 4T jointing compound buckets right now, available on pallet for just £15 each – so get in touch on 08456 254321!

Benefits of 4T

Because it’s such a versatile compound that is perfect for use in automatic tools on a wide range of projects, there are so many benefits that come with choosing to work with 4T jointing compound.

There’s the ease at which this compound can be sanded down when dry. As it’s such a high quality product, the drywall professionals we know love how 4T compound reduces the physicality of the sanding process thanks to its easy-to-sand properties. There aren’t many other jointing compounds on the market that can reduce the physical demand of sanding, but 4T sets the bar in this area.

Furthermore, the lightweight properties of 4T jointing compound deliver low shrinkage and make it incredibly quick to clean up. Rushed to finish you taping jointing and need to tidy up your workspace? Don’t panic – 4T can be easily wiped away before it hardens and doesn’t leave any residue on your tools. This is certainly a compound that you can trust time and time again.

Most notable of all these benefits though is the glass-like finish this compound delivers – something that can’t be matched by other similarly priced products on the market. 4T has been developed to attach to walls evenly and consistently, meaning you’ll be left with a near pock-free finish every time.

Combine all this with a great low price and you have the ideal jointing compound!

Buy 4T Direct From Us!

Here at Gypsumtools we provide 4T compound by pallet and now by bucket, giving you complete flexibility on how you want your compound delivered. Not only that, our stock of 4T in buckets gives you much more than just the compound itself.

Each individual bucket is completely reusable which means when you run low on compound, you can resupply using our boxed 4T rather than having to reorder another bucket. Also, the bucket is the perfect mixing tool – stick your paddle straight in, mix your compound and away you go. You can even place your pump directly into the bucket to fill your automatic taping tools.

Our new buckets of 4T compound are also 17 litres in size compared to the standard boxes which are only 14.7 litres. We are currently offering our buckets on a pallet at just £15 each, with single buckets also available at £16 each – pre-order yours now by calling 08456 254321.

The perfect product for taping tools, topping and texture, 4T is the only multipurpose compound you’ll ever need.