sandralee•2mo agoMost Upvoted

Vent: I was sure a 6-inch knife was the only tool for taping until a job in Tacoma

For years, I only used a 6-inch knife for taping, thinking anything else was a waste. I was on a big apartment job in Tacoma last fall, and this older guy on the crew saw me struggling with a long butt joint. He just said, 'You're fighting it. Try a 10-inch.' I argued with him, but he handed me his knife. I used it for that one seam, and the difference was crazy. The longer blade bridges the low spot so much better, and you get a flatter finish with fewer passes. I felt like a total fool. I'd been making my life harder and my work slower for no good reason. Now I start with the 10-inch for the first coat on any seam over 4 feet. Anyone else have a tool they refused to use for way too long?

3 comments

3 Comments

jade322mo ago

Man, did you ever go back and tell that guy he was right?

young.sarah2mo ago

Ugh, yes, but it was so hard. I had a friend who warned me my old car was about to die, and I ignored him. When it finally broke down for good, I had to text him. I just said, "You called it, the car is totally gone." It felt awful to admit it, but he was cool about it.

thea24626d ago

Wait, he literally told you the car was about to die and you still ignored him...? That's rough, but at least he didn't rub it in.