Sheet Rock Installation Tools
Installation of sheet rock or drywall can be a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Many homeowners and contractors avoid doing drywall because it is messy. This means that contractors who do install sheet rock sometimes charge a lot. You can save money by installing the sheet rock yourself, and having the right tools will make the process go a lot more quickly. Does this Spark an idea?
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Cutting Tools
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The most basic tool for cutting sheet rock is a utility knife. The utility knife is used to cut a straight line in just the paper of the sheet rock. The sheet rock is then snapped from the other side to "cut" through the center of the drywall. The utility knife is used to finish the cut by cutting through the remaining paper on the sheet rock. Jigsaws are used to make large cuts, or specialty cuts around electrical boxes. A drywall saw is also a great choice for basic cuts in drywall. However, many homeowners do not have a drywall saw on hand, so the utility knife "snapping" method is the most common.
Hanging Tools
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Drywall can be hung with either drywall nails or drywall screws. The nails should be nailed in place with a drywall hammer. Drywall hammers have a convex head that pounds the nail in place without breaking the paper of the drywall. Screwing drywall in place is a faster process than nailing. Use drywall screws and a screwdriver. However, the screws will be ineffective if you sink them below the surface of the paper on the sheet rock.
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Lifting Tools
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Some drywall installers and DIY enthusiasts make the mistake of trying to lift sheet rock onto the ceiling with just their own two arms. Hanging even one or two sheets of sheet rock this way can tire out your arms and make you want to walk away from the project. Instead, use a drywall lift that lifts the drywall to the ceiling while you screw it in place. Drywall jacks are similar to drywall lifts, and can be made from 2-inch by 4-inch boards. They are different in that they do not "lift" the drywall to the ceiling. Rather, they hold the drywall in place after it has been lifted to the ceiling by the installer.
Finishing
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Finishing sheet rock walls with drywall mud requires a few different tools. You will need taping or putty knives in various sizes, ranging from 5 inches to 12 inches. A mud pan holds mud as you tape the joints of the sheet rock so you don't have to carry around a large bucket of mud. After the mud has dried, you will need a pole sander to sand the joints smooth. You may also need a respirator to protect your lungs from the dust created during the sanding process.
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References
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