Taping angle changed after a guy showed me his pan trick

For years I loaded my banjo with mud straight from the box. Thought that was normal. Then this old timer on a hospital job in Fargo saw me fighting with it and just handed me his pan. He had this thin layer of water sitting in the bottom, maybe a quarter inch. He ran his knife through it before dipping. Mud went on smoother, less dragging, and my corners stopped bubbling. Second day I tried it myself and I burned through half the crud I usually do. Felt like an idiot for not figuring that out sooner. Anyone else got a little setup change that made this much difference?

2 comments

2 Comments

murphy.linda24d ago

Gotta try that water trick next time I'm on a job, sounds way smoother than fighting with straight mud. I usually add a splash of water to my pan but never thought about keeping a thin layer in there before dipping, makes total sense now that you say it.

taylor.amy23d ago

Isn't it funny how the best fixes are usually the simplest ones we just overthink? Seems like every trade has those little water tricks that save you hours once someone finally points them out. Makes me wonder what other basic stuff I'm still making harder than it needs to be.