Today’s “Better Way” features yet another clever thing you can do with an old “mud” bucket.
Why?
Oh, clever bucket ideas have decades of ‘sizzle’ behind them. But, I’d like to take a cynical look at this fad.
The first question: where do you get a bucket? It’s been ages since I’ve seen contractors bring buckets of joint compound to the job; the stuff seems to come in cardboard boxes these days. That’s ‘strike one.’
OK, so what if you have scrap buckets laying about? Well, even when “empty,” they need significant cleaning before you use them. Job sited don’t often have running water, or any place to clean things up. They still have plenty of paint, mud, glue, or whatever still in them. Call this ‘strike two.’
Finally, an awful lot of “used” buckets are damaged, or used to hold trash and (other, much fouler) waste. There’s ‘strike three.’
With three strikes, it’s no surprise that the home centers sell plenty of new buckets. This kind of defeats the economy of re-using waste.
Today’s idea was to use tape to make a handle for the bottom of the bucket. Why? Every bucket comes with a lid … put the lid on, and use the existing handle!
Better yet, get an after-market lid, some bins, and you can now use the bucket to haul your parts as well as sit in comfort!
Then, of course, there are those ‘tool belts’ for buckets. There’s even a kit to make the bucket into a cyclone dust separator for your shop-vac. Or, just get the vacuum top for the bucket. There are inserts to make your bucket into a cooler, and a snap-on toilet seat. There are even snap-on dollies, and brackets to join lumber to them.
I’ve seen buckets “field engineered’ into stilts, carriers for extension cords and air hoses, garden valve boxes, and even bird nests.
By the time you’ve customized your bucket, you’ve spent more than you would have, had you bought something purpose-made to do the same job far better.
About the only thing buckets are not used for is ….. drywall mud. They’re just not there for recycling anymore.
Replies
You've got to be kidding
5 gallon plastic buckets are about as ubiquitous as duct tape. I keep about 30-40 on hand at any given time. I use them for remote excavating, mixing thinset, moving smaller amounts of sand, gravel, etc. I've never bought a Homer bucket in my life.
BTW, it's not hard to clean them out if you consume the mud from the bucket properly (continually scrape the sides as you work your way down). They practically clean themselves. I also save 5 gallon grey paint buckets. They get sprayed out with a hose as soon as they're empty. I don't think your gonna find paint being delivered in a cardboard box anytime soon.
They also use that kind of bucket for things other than paint and drywall.
Perhaps the best is a chlorine tab bucket with the screw on top.
Good point Greg. I make my twist top seal for some of my own regular drywall buckets with adapters from Gamma Seal
http://www.amazon.com/The-Gamma-Seal-Lid-Black/dp/B0089QJQTS
For $10 It can add a lot of versatility to your storage options. Plus you can color code for easy identification!
Those are slick, I might have to get a few of them.
Mud in boxes?
Must be a Nevada thing. Drywall compound still comes in buckets here.
Picture this ...
From the USG site, here's a pic of their different packages. All the 'real' supply houses here carry is the box form; I can't speak for the handyman centers.
View Image
Reno
My supply house here in NW Ohio, carries buckets as well as the boxes and bags. Others do as well. These are the "real" suppliers, you know, where you can drive right up to the stack and load.....v. Pushing the shopping cart.
so, more probably regional and what the contractor "demands"
Cost.
The cost of mud in a bucket is considerably more than in a box. The bucket has a little more mud but you end up paying alot for the bucket.
Mike
I've found bucket mud less prone to hitch hikers than Te bag in box. While the volume cost would be more, the convenience of an easier clean container makes it perfect for me and remodels. I use bucket mud for just the final skim, prefer to mix setting /timed mud for the rest.
the buckets then serve a plethora of remodel events.
for high volume big finish jobs, the savings on the box surely would make a difference.
Unless I'm going to use the
Unless I'm going to use a whole box I either buy mud in a bucket or store it in one.
Its all about increasing profit for the manufacturer
I believe the primary reason it is sold in 3 gallon boxes is because of economy in shipping for the manufacturer(s). It' s not because one drywaller wants to look more "professional" thank the next guy. Think of all the "empty air" that is shipped with cylindrical buckets side by side on a truck.
Personally I prefer the bucket. It stores and transports better if you don't use the whole thing on any one job. Also for the reason Calvin pointed out: Their just plain damn indespensible for other remodeling work.
Wow!
We agree in toto!
We agree in toto!
Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
Maybe you agree, but you won't be able to see a document of agreement to sign it!
A quick look around our shop and I see buckets with cords, hoses, plumbing fittings, nails, screws, joist hangar, specialty tool groups like tile installation or concrete finishing. The only modified buckets we have are those with holds drilled to create sump pump "filters".
A typical house for us yields about 30 new buckets. Although we do but boxes of mud, we still specify at least 5 buckets of mud just to mix the mud in and keep it constant overnight. Our big yield of buckeys comes from paint though. They are easy to clean out because when you let the paint dry, it peels out in big sheets. I think it is better than water contamination by washing out, but someone will prove me wrong someday.
I even manage to sell buckets at garage sales, $5 with lid.
LONG LIVE THE FIVE GALLON BUCKET!