Replies

1. 
   BillBrennen | Dec 08, 2007 07:15am | #1

   Sawdust,

   Mix right in the mud pan, always water first. Make it thick enough; you can always add some water to loosen it after it slakes. If it is too wet and you add powder, you tend to get lumps with dry centers. I mix with a 6" knife.

   The USG products mix really easily. GP sold stuff in the 80's that was terrible for lumps. It was called "Speed Set" IIRC. Have not seen it in years, and gratefully so.

   Bill

1. 
   LIVEONSAWDUST | Dec 08, 2007 01:49pm | #3

   You mention "slaking" , do you let it set a few minutes then remix, such as you would do with thinset?

1. 
   BillBrennen | Dec 08, 2007 08:33pm | #14

   Yes, same principle. It is mentioned in the directions on the bag. Only exceptions are the super-fastest muds where you must really hurry to get it on the wall before it sets.Bill

2. 
   brucet9 | Dec 09, 2007 10:16am | #22

   "Mix right in the mud pan, always water first. ... If it is too wet and you add powder, you tend to get lumps with dry centers."I may be all wet about this, but If you start with water first, then aren't you adding powder to a too-wet mix from the get-go?
   BruceT

1. 
   BillBrennen | Dec 09, 2007 07:50pm | #30

   In theory, yes, it looks that way. In reality, the dynamics are different when the water is first mixed with the powder than they are later once the two have had a chance to get to know one another. All I can say is, "Try it and see."Bill

2. 
   telephoneguy | Dec 08, 2007 08:58am | #2

   check out this link for some excellent drywall and repair advice

   http://www.drywallschool.com/

1. 
   unTreatedwood | Dec 13, 2007 09:13pm | #33

   might be good advice, but at $10.00 a webpage, I'll keep looking for what I need. Thanks for showing us the site, tho."The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a governmental program"  -Ronald Reagan Edited 12/13/2007 1:30 pm ET by unTreatedwood

   Edited 12/13/2007 1:31 pm ET by unTreatedwood

3. 
   DonCanDo | Dec 08, 2007 04:31pm | #4

   It depends on how small is small.  I've used plastics cups and small cut buckets, but mostly I use these liners and bucket:

   http://www.unclejoes.com/shop/productDetailForm.jsf?conversationId=317275

   http://www.unclejoes.com/shop/productDetailForm.jsf?conversationId=317273

   I buy the liners 50 at a time.

   I don't like cleaning mud pans so I avoid using them.  Also, I don't always have a way to clean a mixing bucket while on the job and since you need to start with a clean bucket for every batch, I just start with a new liner.  If I estimate right, there won't be too much excess to dispose of.

   I put a little water in first, then mix the powder in.  More water or powder gets added as needed.  After mixing literally hundreds of batches over the years, I've developed a feel for about how much of each to start with.  Most of the time, I use the 20 minute compound.  20 minutes is plenty of time to mix and apply 2 - 3 quarts of compound.

   It's not necessary to let it "slake".  I mix thoroughly enough with a stick until there is no residual powder.  This takes a minute or 2 and by then, it's ready to use.

1. 
   LIVEONSAWDUST | Dec 09, 2007 06:25pm | #25

   DonCanDo Your link to the bucket & liners did not work, could you re-send it or tell me the name of the product, I found the website, but not the item .  thanks

2. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 09, 2007 07:21pm | #28

   YesThey did not work for me either.And think that the numbers on the end might be item numbers I tried using them in their search.But nothing with those numbers.How about the product area, the brand, and the name that they use for them..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

1. 
   DonCanDo | Dec 09, 2007 07:40pm | #29

   Yeah, there's something funny about that site and the way it searches.  Sorry about that.

   The products are: Leaktite 5 qt metal pail model #5-12 item: 215285

   and Leaktite 5 qt pail liner model #050-50 item: 342584

   If you go to http://www.unclejoes.com/ and do an item search, you should be able to find it.  Despite their awkward web site, I have good experiences ordering from them.

1. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 09, 2007 07:54pm | #31

   I still did not find it by item number (might have mistyped).But use Leaktite and found them.The liners are about 90 cent each.But where you can get buy with smaller batches I see that the plasitc 2 1/2 quart and pint plastic containers for about 70 cents each..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

4. 
   Matt | Dec 08, 2007 04:51pm | #5

   I typically only have small areas to fix.  I mix it in a baggie; just put in some water, and some powder, zip it up and knead with my hands/fingers.    I then cut off a corner of the bag and squeeze it out onto a cardboard hawk.  No cleanup except the actual drywall knife which I just wipe off on something.  I always have baggies available from the lunch and snacks I bring from home.

1. 
   FastEddie | Dec 08, 2007 06:54pm | #11

   squeeze it out onto a cardboard hawk.

   Do you have a problem with the cardboard sucking moisture out of the mud?"Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

   "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   Matt | Dec 08, 2007 07:12pm | #12

   Not that I've noticed.  Like I said, this is for small spots.  Not really for doing larger hole repair and/or any kind of taping.

   I have a nice SS pan but would rather not take the time to clean it.

5. 
   JTC1 | Dec 08, 2007 05:30pm | #6

   How small?

   Really small batch, I use a plastic bag like Matt said - cut off corner and squeeze like a pastry bag - no pan to clean.  Especially like this for the 5 minute stuff.

   Bigger batch - mix in mud pan - water first and add powder to water - mix with a 2-1/2" knife which I cut down to match the width of the pan.  SS pan - I hate the plastic pans due to cleaning issues.

   SS clean up is pretty easy if you will have a bucket with water available - as soon as the mud is on the wall - dump the pan in the bucket and swish the water around - setting mud will continue to set under water.  But if you "thin" it out immediately it slows down a lot and cleanup is much easier.

   Jim 

   Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
1. 
   DonCanDo | Dec 08, 2007 05:37pm | #7

   5 minute setting compound?  Wow, that doesn't leave much working time.  Did you mean plaster of paris?  I haven't even seen 5 minute compound for sale and I can't imagine where I would use it.

1. 
   JTC1 | Dec 08, 2007 06:02pm | #8

   Made and marketed by the same folks that make the Easy Sand line of setting muds.  EZ sand 5, 20, 45 and 90. Sheetrock brand? HD / Lowes both have it here.

   Red, white and blue bag - 5 lb. bags are all I ever see of it - have never seen an 18 lb bag like the 20, 45 and 90.

   I use it most commonly when fixing "door knob" holes in drywall. I have a jig to mark a 4" square around the damaged area.  Mark and cut out, install two, 2" x 5" x 1/2" plywood strips behind edges with piffin screws.  Screw in patch, tape with 5min., mix another batch, top coat with 5 min.

   Install the obviously needed door stop.

   Scrape a bit and top coat with purple top bucket mud, or rapid coat.

   Vacuum and get paid. Home owner smiles, then paints the next day - I hate to paint.

   Jim 

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

1. 
   seeyou | Dec 09, 2007 12:35am | #15

   I just finished up an 18 lb bag of Easy Sand 5 a few weeks ago. But I've had it for at least 10 years. They may not package it that way anymore.http://grantlogan.net/

    

   My mother once said to me, "Elwood" -- she always called me Elwood -- "Elwood, in this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." For years I tried smart. I recommend pleasant.

   Elwood P. Dowde (James Stewart), "Harvey"

2. 
   BarryE | Dec 09, 2007 02:33am | #17

   You can buy the regular bags of 5 min at most drywall supply houses, at least that's where I find them.All i ever find at big boxes is that little box of 5 min

   Barry E-Remodeler

    

1. 
   JTC1 | Dec 09, 2007 04:36am | #18

   I never asked at the DW supply house.

   I don't use much of the 5 min. - 5 lb lots are fine - I don't want to have an 18 lb bag for 10 years like seeyou - I have enough junk already.

   Use a little of the 20, more 45 and lots of 90.

   90 is my first choice for taping mud, I'm not terribly fast so the 90 suits my temperment.  I can tape a room and a closet and know everything will be dry in the morning when I return.

   JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

2. 
   Zano | Dec 09, 2007 04:49am | #19

   Powder in first and then add water..it's on the instructions..comes out smoother. Try the National Gypsum setting compound..much much better than the Easy-Sand..smooth as a baby's but and easier to sand.

3. 
   JTC1 | Dec 09, 2007 05:59am | #20

   >>Powder in first and then add water..it's on the instructions..comes out smoother.<<

   Maybe for National Gypsum products.

   Direct quote from EZ Sand 5 package - 4 lb box:

   "For 1 qt. of material, slowly mix half (2 lbs. or 32 oz.) the powder thoroughly into 16 oz. (2 cups) water.....Mix until smooth....Let soak for 1 min. Remix 1 min., adding water to achieve desired working consistency...."

   The way I read this, they are telling you to add the powder to the water initally, after remixing they tell you to add water to the mix to thin to desired consistency.

   Have done it both ways - cuss everytime I put the powder into the pan first and then add water - dry clumps and lumps are my result.

   I'll keep adding the powder to the water - less cussing.

   Jim

    

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

4. 
   Zano | Dec 13, 2007 02:32am | #32

   I stand corrected on the instructions..non the less, it's better to add water to the powder just like for thin set mortar, cement, etc.,,it comes out smoother.

2. 
   JTC1 | Dec 08, 2007 06:14pm | #9

   Just checked - EZ sand 5 minute comes in a cardboard box with a plastic bag inside rather than a just a paper bag.  You have probably just missed seeing it.

   JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.

1. 
   DonCanDo | Dec 08, 2007 06:28pm | #10

   Thanks, I'll check it out.

2. 
   Jer | Dec 09, 2007 03:52pm | #23

   You've raised my interest with this 5 minute stuff. I don't think I've ever seen it, or maybe I've just overlooked it. Would it be at HD? In what section?I was trained as a plasterer and so my own quick mix is plaster of Paris with JC. I make the traditional 'ring' with the wet stuff and pour water into the center of the ring about 3/4 full. I then sift in POP until a light layer of dry plaster covers it and then I let it soak until most or all of the plaster is wet. Then I mix it all together with a 6" knife for smaller batches that I do right on the hawk, or a large plasterer's trowel if I'm doing larger batches on a mix board. All of this only takes a minute or two and it has a 5-8min working time.POP is for the strength, JC is for the stuff to stick. Works well.I've been using a hawk so long that whenever I've tried to use a mud pan I'm a real klutz. I don't own mud pans any more. I can't tell you the gauging since I do it all by eye. Traditionally it was 3 putty to one gauge plaster. I'll tell ya what really works well for mixing any kind of mud and getting it on the walls, our sheetrock guy and his crew of finishers. They even sweep and vacuum.

1. 
   DonCanDo | Dec 09, 2007 06:20pm | #24

   My interest was raised too and I just happened to be at Home Depot yesterday.  They sell it in a 4 lb box in the same place as the rest of the drywall tools/compounds.  I had never noticed it before.  I bought it and I'll be checking it out, but it had better be a very small patch because 5 minutes is not a lot of time.

2. 
   MattSwanger | Dec 09, 2007 06:28pm | #26

   I buy 18 lb bags of 5 minute mud at Lowes here in town.  Easy Sand is the brand it's sold under and it's nest to all the other setting muds. 

   Someone was asking about going over old painted surfaces,  I try not to go over them unless I really have to.  The drying time goes way up when there is paint on the walls.  I use a carbide tipped scraper and remove the areas.  Alot faster to do that than to wait for mud to dry. 

    Woods favorite carpenter

   FKA- Stilletto

6. 
   davidmeiland | Dec 08, 2007 07:24pm | #13

   I saw part of a Myron Ferguson demo recently. He had an eggbeater chucked into a small cordless drill for mixing hot mud in the pan.

7. 
   popawheelie | Dec 09, 2007 01:18am | #16

   I learned from some tapers that i worked along side of to do it a little differently. I put some water in my mud pan, then add some dry quickset powder, mix it up with your 6" knife pretty well. You only need about a 1/4 of a pan full.

   Then add in your all purpose mud and mix it up. This way you only use a little of the quickset powder and you spend alot less time mixing. The mud will set but not as hard as if it was all quickset powder. It will stiffen up but have more moisture in it. You can carve off high spots because it is not to dry or hard.

   Mostly i do it that way because it is faster. I don't put down my knife or my pan which I real dislike doing. This is only for smaller spots though. For bigger batches a five gallon bucket with a paddle mixer is best.

8. 
   Biff_Loman | Dec 09, 2007 06:40am | #21

   Bucket, 6" knife, water first.

   I wait for a while to clean out the bucket. The mud starts to set up, and I can scrape out the bucket in a few moments when it's semi-stiff. It carves off, really, and you can get the bucket really clean so you don't get dried bits later on.

   I've mixed up batches with a paddle mixer, but I haven't really done any jobs large enough to justify that.

   I hate cleaning out mud pans. I never use them.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 12/8/2007 10:40 pm ET by Biff_Loman

9. 
   dryhter | Dec 09, 2007 06:36pm | #27

   In a 14in. SS mud pan add about1/2in.(or up to your finger nail on your index finger) of water,on top of the water add mix till pan 1/2 full, let set about a minute or two,then mix ,let set about another minute or two and re-mix, done. Makes about 1/2 pan of mud.

   An inch of water or first joint on index and almost a full pan of mix makes about a full pan of mud.

   GOOD LUCK
   Dave