Drywall Finishing Boxes – to buy or not to buy? - Gyproc Tools Blog

The finishing line is in sight but is it worth splashing cash on fancy tools? We examine whether a drywall finishing box is a worthwhile investment.

It’s the holy grail for decorator and DIYers – finding efficient ways of working and getting the job done. There are plenty of tips, tools, and techniques available to boost productivity but how do you know if it’s worth investing in certain products like a drywall finishing box?

What is a drywall finishing box?

No, it doesn’t sound like an exciting bit of kit, but a drywall finishing box could transform the process of finishing drywall installations. Commonly used with drywall taping tools to achieve a smooth and professional finish on drywall joints and taping, these boxes can be a valuable tool when you wish to apply an even layer of joint compound over drywall seams and joints.

These tools also help embed paper or fibreglass tape and create a smooth surface that blends the joint with the surrounding drywall. This process is a crucial step in achieving a seamless appearance before decorating.

Five Considerations Before Investing

1. The need for speed
Using a Drywall Finishing Box requires less physical effort than finishing by hand and can significantly speed up the taping and finishing process compared to using hand tools like taping knives. It allows you to cover a larger area with and reduces the need for multiple coats of joint compound.

2. Safety first
You may not even require ladders and it can be a safer way of working. A finishing box is easier to finish joints in tricky areas which are hard to reach.

3. Professional finish
Drywall finishing boxes are especially valuable for achieving a clean, professional finish, as they help reduce the risk of visible seams and uneven surfaces. This is particularly important in commercial or high-end residential projects where a flawless appearance is necessary.

4. Weigh it up
It’s the dream to save time and money (and achieve fewer mistakes!); and a drywall finishing box can help you to achieve all three goals. If you are working on a small DIY drywall project, you might be able to get by with basic hand tools. However, for larger projects or if you are a professional contractor, investing in a drywall finishing box can save you time and effort, while also producing higher-quality results. If you’re new to drywall finishing, it might be a good idea to gain some training before charging forward.

TapeTech Finishing Boxes

TapeTech Finishing Boxes quickly and cleanly fill taped joints on walls and ceilings, dispensing the right amount of joint compound and feathering edges at the same time. Adjustable blades provide just the right amount of crown, leaving finished joints needing little or no sanding.

The Tapetech 10 inch High Capacity Finishing Box and Tapetech 12 inch MAXXBOX® Finishing Box are designed to hold the right amount of joint compound when you need it, on the first or second coat when you’re filling the joint, without the unnecessary weight when you don’t, on the finish coat.

Key features

• New EasyRoll™ wheels allow you to finish all types of external corner bead up to twice as quickly than by hand.
• Adjustable crown setting quickly and easily changes the amount of joint compound applied for the best results on every stage.
• Pivoting axle helps compensate for uneven walls.

How to use Tapetech Finishing boxes

Using a drywall finishing box requires some practice and familiarity but the good news is that these tools require little effort to operate and are designed to produce uniform results every time.

The difference in the Tapetech Finishing boxes are their capacity and cleaning. The boxes are controlled by a specially designed handle and come in multiple lengths from 34” to 72” as well as an XTender™ Handle that adjusts between 41” and 63“.

1. Attach the handle
The handle is attached to the box by sliding the box onto the handle and tightening the two wing nuts. Load the box through the opening behind the blade using the box adapter with the slot adapter inserted.

2. Apply compound
Draw the box steadily along the joint while applying pressure with the handle. This dispenses compound through the opening at a steady rate. The tool is always run with the wheels leading and the blade trailing. The handle should lead the box, except at the end of joints.

3. Run a joint
Before starting to run any joint, lock the box handle at a slight angle by squeezing the handle grip with one hand. Your other hand should grip the handle near the box. Place the box at the end of the joint and apply pressure with the handle to start the compound flowing. Release the hand grip to unlock the handle and allow it to find its own natural position.

Finally, draw the box along until you reach the previous stopping point. Lock the handle and remove the box from the surface with a sweeping motion. This procedure is followed for all ceiling joints and horizontal wall joints.

Check out the full range of Gyproc taping and jointing tools including box handles.