Until you actually do some drywalling yourself, it’s hard for you to know which tools are a ‘must have’ to make your job go a bit easier, maybe quicker. My list below discloses both of these. So before I go into detail on why you need each of these tools, let’s first identify what the tools are that you need for drywalling.
Tools needed for drywalling are a tape measure, pencil, utility knife, 4’ t-square, keyhole saw and a drill. For mudding and sanding the drywall you will need drywall knives, drywall hawk, sanding pole, drywall sanding sponge and a dusk mask. Some other useful tools are a drywall lift, roto-zip and ladders.
Before I get too far ahead depending on what region of the world you are located, you might be more familiar with the term gyproc when talking about what I am calling drywalling. In Canada, the terminology is interchangeable. If I am looking to get some work doing a gyproc job for someone here, I would list it using the wording “drywalling” as most people know it that way.
Drywall Tools List and Their Uses
Above I just wanted to give you a quick look at what tools you should consider owning before starting a drywall job. Below, I am going to go over each tool and what they are used for.
There are a few that are nice to have however, most of this list is necessary to complete a drywall job properly.
Of course, to complete the job, you will need drywall (gyproc), drywall mud, drywall tape (I prefer paper). This article is about the tools needed. Let’s get started.
Utility Knife
A utility knife is very important as this is how you will cut your drywall as well as trim off some if you cut it too long.
Utility knives are very basic tools that are used for cutting. There are not a lot of varieties available. I have two different styles but mostly I use one that flips open exposing the blade. These blades are easy to change and very strong and durable.
There is another cheaper option that has a thin flimsy blade that pushes out of the end and can be broken off in segments. I find that this knife does not stay sharp as long as my flip open knife and when pushing out the blade to break a section off can be quite dangerous. The blade is just strong enough to give you a bit of a rough time when trying to snap the end off.
I prefer to just switch out the blade when it gets dull. My flip open utility knife strong and feels safe when using. I would highly recommend one just like it.
Tape Measure
This one should be a no-brainer! A tape measure is essential for measuring how big of a piece of drywall you will need. It is also used to measure where light switches, power outlets, light boxes, cable boxes and other boxes that are attached to the studs/wall.
I usually invest in a tape measure that I can stretch out 8’ to 10’ in the air without it flopping to the ground.
Unless you are going to have someone else helping you measure the walls, I would suggest you invest in a stronger thicker tape measure as well.
You can purchase these in imperial and metric combined which is very helpful if you live in North America. One thing I would say is to make sure you pull the tape out a bit and look at the markings to ensure you can read them easily. Sometimes there is too much going on and it hinders your ability to get an accurate measurement.
Pencil
Not much to say here. Most pencils will work just fine. A carpenter’s pencil is good because they are thicker and will not break as easy although most any pencil will do just fine. Keep the pencil sharp by using your utility knife as needed.
When drywalling, do not use a marker or pen as these markings could potentially bleed through and be visible after you paint.
T-square
I love my t-square. I have a 4’ t-square made for drywalling however, I sometimes use it when marking plywood for some of my woodworking projects.
A t-square has measurement markings on it so sometimes you don’t need to pull out the tape measure. For example, if you have an 8’ sheet of drywall and need the full 8’ for your next piece but you need to trim 7” off the width, you just lay your sheet of drywall on its edge (lengthwise) and secure the t-square to the top edge. Find where the marking says 7” and apply your pencil to the board at that marking. Now slide the t-square down the length of the drywall making sure the pencil is being held in place at the 7” mark.
When you get to the other end, you should have a straight line marking where you need to cut the board at 7” without having to pull out your tape measure. It really does speed things up.
I also use my t-square sometimes without a pencil if I am just cutting a piece off the end. I hold the t-square in place and run my utility knife down the width of the board scoring it a few times before cutting the back side.
A Drill (Preferably Cordless)
To install the drywall to the walls and ceiling, you will need a good drill. You can use a corded drill which is a drill that plugs into a power outlet or you can use a cordless drill. I prefer a cordless drill and so should you because of their ease of use. Cordless drills are now very affordable. You can purchase a decent drill without breaking the bank.
Along with the drill you will need a Phillip’s bit that fits the head of a drywall screw or you can purchase a drywall bit that stops pushing the screw into the wood and drywall once the screw is just below flush with the drywall. This is very important for mudding.
Drywall Knives
Drywall knives are what you use to apply the mud to the drywall. There are numerous sizes available. I recommend purchasing a 6” and 12” size. I also recommend investing in an inside corner knife.
- A 6” drywall knife is the first knife you will use when applying the drywall tape and mud for the first coat. If you feel you will need three total coats of mud, then you would use the 6” knife for the second coat.
- A 12” drywall knife is used to feather out or spread the mud out wide on the last coat of mud. This makes sure you don’t have a hump on the wall or ceiling as you have spread out the mud wide enough to prevent this.
- A corner knife will be the tool you are most thankful for. If you have any experience mudding inside corners with just a regular drywall knife, you know how frustrating it can be. A corner knife makes the job almost 100% easier. Do yourself a favor and invest in one of these.
Drywall Hawk
You might find this named a wallboard tool or drywall tool. It is also called a plaster hawk. I call it a drywall hawk. I had a friend years ago that was a commercial drywaller and he told me it was a drywall hawk and it has stuck with me.
A drywall hawk is where you keep the drywall mud you are about to apply to the walls. You take the mud out of a pail or container and plop it on the hawk working it to a consistency that you want to work with. This is a tool you need. A must have to do this type of work.
Drywall Sanding Tools You Will Need
There are a few things you will need when it is time to start sanding all of the drywall mud you have applied to walls and ceilings.
- Sanding pole and attachment.
- A sanding pole allows you to sand walls and some ceilings without using a ladder.
- You will need the attachment for drywall sandpaper as well as drywall sandpaper.
- Alternatively, you can use a sanding sponge. I used one for years before moving on to the sanding pole. Actually, now I use both.
- A dust mask is essential when sanding. Purchase the most expensive one you can afford that stops the smallest of particles. Masks that are sold cheaply will not stop hardly any of the drywall dust you make when sanding. You don’t want this stuff in your lungs if you can avoid it.
Keyhole or Jab Saw
A keyhole saw, as I call it, is used to cut out holes in drywall/gyproc for light switch boxes, power outlet boxes etc. You just mark the area you want to cut out and jab the drywall with the very sharp and strong saw. Start sawing in and out of the drywall following the markings to cut out the area required. These work pretty well.
If you have a few dollars to spend and you want something to make the job go even easier, then consider purchasing a Roto-Zip or like tool. They are like a router for drywall. A little drill bit looking blade spins and will cut out your desired pieces of drywall very fast. Be warned however, that they make quite a bit of dust.
Drywall Lift
If you can get your hands on a drywall lift, I would recommend it. I purchased one a few years ago and was able to drywall ceilings and walls by myself in a couple of basements and garages since then. In my basement here at home, I was using 12’ sheets of drywall by myself. As long as you can lift the sheet up onto the hooks of the lift, you can drywall just about anywhere.
I purchase mine used for $150 Canadian dollars which is about $105 USD. So if you can find a used one, you should get it. They really don’t cost that much and it will make your life easier when drywalling. I expect it will be easy to sell it afterwards as well.
They come apart so you can transport them easily to move them from floor to floor in smaller pieces.
Even if you have two people, you can use the lift to hold the drywall in place while you start to screw it to the ceiling or wall. Your shoulders will thank you for it.
This also means you can use much larger sheets of gyproc/drywall and that means less mudding and sanding afterwards.
Conclusion
There you have it! My list of tools I recommend you own to apply drywall/gyproc and to mud and sand the drywall mud. This is one of those types of jobs that will tire you out but when it is all said and done and you start painting, you will be thinking back and…… ah, never mind, who am I trying to kid?
Drywalling is a tough job. Be prepared to work hard and get dirty. It is satisfying however, when you see your project completed and can sit back and enjoy it!
