Taping wall joints

This TapeTech video goes over the basic function of applying tape with the automatic drywall taper. This video is a great place to start if you are new to automatic taping tools and you want to better understand the design and function of your new TapeTech automatic drywall taper.

Most everything in this video will apply to all other automatic drywall taper brands as well. 

Some of the basics covered in this video are:

  • How to handle the weight of the automatic taper properly, and starting in one corner of the room
  • Keep both drive wheels of the automatic taper touching the wall when beginning each joint to improve traction, then as the head of the taper starts to lead out in front of you, you can tilt the bottom end of the tube down, and just ride on one wheel. Note: This is far more critical on ceiling joints than it is with wall joints. Tilting the taper on ceiling joints helps prevent joint compound from pressing out from behind the tape and raining down on the floor. Learning how much to tilt will certainly be easier for you to learn on the wall than the ceiling.
  • When taping vertical joints for example it is quite fine to have both wheels touching the wall. Just try to keep the butt end of the tube low to the ground when starting a vertical joint.

When cutting tape

  • When cutting tape with the automatic taper the most important thing to remember is to come to a complete stop. Do so about 3 inches away from the corner or opening in the wall where you want the tape to stop. Pull the control tube all the way back quickly and firmly. make sure you have a fresh blade installed so that your taper isn't bunching tape up inside the head of the machine.

Editors note:

  • The video says to roll out the end of the tape before you advance, but we highly recommend you and make it a point to begin to advance the next tab of tape while you are rolling off the last portion of tape that you just cut.  This will do 2 things:
  1. As you roll off, the gun is putting compound out. Advancing while you roll off will put joint compound on the new tab of tape for you, (where you want it)
  2. It will also prevent the drive wheel from getting loaded up with the mud that should end up on the tape.