That old timer who showed me how to tape corners in 3 minutes flat

I was working a job out in Des Moines last fall and this 60 year old guy named Jerry comes over to show me something. He said "you're overworking the mud" and just ran his knife down a corner in one smooth motion, no fussing. I timed it on my phone, it took him 3 minutes and 22 seconds from start to finish. Anyone else pick up a trick from a veteran that you still use every day?

2 comments

2 Comments

wright.lisa11d agoMost Upvoted

My old foreman had a trick for taping inside corners too. He'd pre-crease the tape down the middle with his fingers so it folded perfect every time. That little fold made it sit in the corner without buckling or sticking up. I don't measure anything anymore, just fold and go. You find one of those simple moves and it saves you hours over a whole job.

wesley_martin11d ago

I picked up a trick from a guy named Pete on a job site outside of Cleveland. He showed me to hold the knife at a steeper angle near the bottom of the corner and ease it off as you go up. It keeps the mud from dripping down the handle all over your hand or the floor. Took me maybe four or five tries to get the feel right, but now I don't even think about it. Your mileage may vary depending on the mud mix though.