Vent: Realized I was over-mudding flat joints for 3 full years

I was at a job site in Denver last month helping a buddy finish his basement. His uncle stopped by, been hanging board since the 80s. Watched me for about 2 minutes then asked why I was putting so much mud on my butt joints. I told him that's how you get a smooth finish right? He just laughed and showed me he uses way less mud and does two thinner passes instead of one thick one. My joints are flatter now and I'm saving like 30% on compound. Has anyone else had an old timer point out a simple thing you were doing the hard way?

3 comments

3 Comments

hernandez.blake1mo ago

60 year old sparky showed me how to strip wire with a hammer after I fought with a pair of strippers for ten minutes.

the_matthew1mo ago

Bit of a correction here - it works way better with the side of the hammer, not the striking face. You put the wire on a hard surface, tap the insulation with the hammer's cheek just hard enough to crack it, then pull the insulation off with your fingers. Still takes a little practice but it's a lifesaver when your strippers give up on you.

emery191mo ago

Wait, how do you strip wire with a hammer? I feel like I'm picturing that wrong and it's either genius or a terrible idea.