TIL my taping knife angle was costing me hours of sanding

I was finishing a basement in Akron last week and my helper asked why I was holding the knife so flat against the wall. He showed me how a 30 degree tilt leaves way less mud behind, which I tried on the next seam. How many of you were taught the wrong angle when you started?

3 comments

3 Comments

danieltaylor1mo ago

That "30 degree tilt" tip just saved my next drywall project.

karenw231mo ago

Always held the knife straight up and down before. Tried the tilt last weekend on a patch, and wow. The mud went on way smoother with way less sanding later. Totally changed how I'll do edges from now on.

grantthomas23d ago

Buddy of mine swore by the straight up and down method for years, kept fighting with bubbles and gouges. Finally loaned him my 10 inch knife and showed him the tilt trick one afternoon. He was a convert after the first coat and has never gone back since.