Tools for drywall include all kinds of products: the drywall itself and the fasteners, drills, tapes, saws and sanders all come together to complete the task you set out to perform. Without the proper knowledge to get you started, the easiest drywall job can quickly become a disaster. Use the steps outlined in this guide to get you started learning about the essentials of drywall supply.

You'll need some facts for drywall equipment sales, drywall installation, or a workspace that needs some renovation. If you're starting a business, get the information you need about:

1. What drywall materials are

2. What drywall supplies are required for the work

3. How to apply the drywall tools in practice

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get acquainted with the primary element of drywall equipment basics

The main component in drywall equipment is the drywall material itself. Essentially, drywall brings all the effort of plastering into a single product; it's made of gypsum plaster (formed from gypsum, a common mineral) layered between heavy paper or fiberglass sheets. You can cut it to fit surfaces of any size and it is much easier to work with than more traditional plastering.

I recommend: Discover detailed information on drywall materials by checking out Wise Geek and enotes. Geek gives you a few beginning pointers on simple installations, and enotes goes into the manufacturing process of the drywall sheets.

Learn about the drywall supplies and tools necessary for a successful installation

There are many tools associated with drywall from many suppliers of drywall equipment. From the first stages, involving finishing of the initial surface, through the cutting and shaping to the final fastening, there are sanders, drills, saws, screws, nails and tapes that will ensure a professional installation. There are several saws, including keyhole, drywall and circle cutter saws, for different purposes. You also have the option of using a drywall hammer and appropriate nails, or drywall screws which need a specialized screw gun for fast application. These and other tools will differ depending on the requirements of your project and whether it's for a wall, floor or ceiling.

I recommend: Become familiar with the various drywall tools and supplies that you'll need. BuyEZRip outlines some of the measurements of drywall, then details the different fasteners that work with them. Inside Woodworking describes the tools required for preparing your surfaces prior to installation, and Home Improvement lists the tools for the installation.

Get a quick tutorial on how best to use your drywall supplies

While some tools may be fairly self-evident in their operation, it's a good idea to know some of the finer points of usage. Some suppliers of drywall equipment can give you pointers on using their products, or you can consult manuals and guides either included with the tools or online. Proper use, especially with the sanders and drills and the devices used to apply the drywall fasteners, will ensure safety as well as a professional drywall result.

I recommend: Expand on your knowledge by reading about the installation of drywall materials. HomeTime gives you short but clear instructions on using the tools in your arsenal, and Vertri Drywall Repair provides information about both beginning installation and minor patches and repairs.

Seek a quick tutorial on how best to use your drywall supplies

While some tools may be fairly self-evident in their operation, it's a good idea to know some of the finer points of usage. Some suppliers of drywall equipment can give you pointers on using their products, or you can consult manuals and guides either included with the tools or online. Proper use, especially with the sanders and drills and the devices used to apply the drywall fasteners, will ensure safety as well as a professional drywall result.

I recommend: Expand on your knowledge by reading about the installation of drywall materials. HomeTime gives you short but clear instructions on using the tools in your arsenal, and Vertri Drywall Repair provides information about both beginning installation and minor patches and repairs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your project is a one-time effort, consider the option of drywall tool rentals. You'll save money and won't have to store the tools afterward. If you plan on using them in the future but still need to cut costs, try used drywall tool suppliers. Most used drywall tools are still in good condition and will be much cheaper.

From the drywall itself to drywall tools for taping, hanging, sanding, and texturing, if you're running a successful drywall installation, you need a wide variety of supplies. Make your shopping experience quick and efficient and find all the drywall supplies you need from online vendors.

There are a number of websites specifically geared toward selling drywall equipment. Look to these vendors for deals on wholesale items and for purchases of full tool sets. If you're looking for a deal, look for used tools for sale. You have plenty of options when selecting drywall materials:

1. Browse websites of drywall tool suppliers for a comprehensive selection of equipment.
2. Get a deal on full drywall tool sets.
3. Save money and buy used drywall equipment or rent your tools.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a single supplier of all your drywall material

With all the tools and equipment that go into installing drywall, finding all the material piecemeal can take quite some time. Make your search for drywall equipment more efficient by going to a single source. Easily compare prices and products between vendors selling full lines of drywall materials.

I recommend: All-Wall sells every drywall tool necessary for your construction projects. Browse their website by type of tool, or shop by brand if you favor one over another. Receive free shipping on all orders meeting the minimum price requirement. DrywallToolsDirect.com sells tools, parts, and accessories for your construction needs at discount prices.

Buy full drywall tool sets for a discounted price

If you need to restock your entire supply of drywall tools, don't just buy one tool at a time. Find deals online for buying full tool sets and save over individual prices.

I recommend: FantasticTools.com sells all kinds of tools for drywall installation. Buy individual tools, or save money on a full drywall tool set. Al's Drywall Taping Tools & Drywall Spray Equipment sells automatic taping tools, stilts, benches, and other drywall equipment. Purchase a full tool set and receive a free tool kit. Also receive free shipping on all orders meeting the minimum price requirement.

Rent equipment or buy used drywall tools

If you're looking to save some cash on your drywall tools, look at options other than buying. If you don't need drywall equipment on hand permanently, look to a supplier of drywall tools that offers rental options. If you are looking for your own tools, buy used equipment. Refurbished drywall tools cost less than new products and can offer the same level of functionality.

I recommend: Ames both sells and rents their drywall taping and finishing tools. See their website for listings of their nationwide locations. American Spray Technologies sells used drywall machines, texture sprayers, and spray equipment. See their website for current listings of used equipment in stock.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If your business needs drywall installed but you aren't doing the job yourself, search for drywall installation services. Many suppliers of drywall equipment also have installation services. Get quotes from multiple providers to find the best price before choosing a service.

For most drywall shops, there's only one way to train new workers on how to use drywall tools and equipment: introduce them to one of the chaotic large project environments where they can watch the old boy contractors at work. That usually works pretty well, but for whatever reason, sometimes a business leader will opt for a different tack for drywall equipment training.

Now, new drywall workers can get drywall tools training directly over the Internet. Different sites feature various ways to train workers on how to use the various tools of the trade or direct them to local schools and career centers where they can get on-site training. Those looking for drywall training options might check out sites like:

1. Online education sites showing where workers can get the skills on drywall equipment to begin on a drywall crew.

2. Online how-to's and tutorials that give workers insight into how to handle drywall supplies and materials.

3. Worker forums where newbies get the scoop directly from drywall veterans on the products from suppliers of drywall equipment that get the most use in their shops.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find online drywall tools training resources for locating and evaluating schools

One way to get staff trained without throwing them into the mix at a job site is to turn to site-based drywall 'adult ed' classes where new workers can learn how to drill properly, use a T-bar or other holding tool, or get to be a pro at cutting gypsum.

I recommend: Get new workers skilled on knives, drills and other drywall materials at courses through the Education Portal online. Some local schools across the nation, like the Miami Valley Career Technology Center, will cheerfully show new trades workers their way around tools and equipment including the materials used for drywall.

Use online tutorial sites for drywall tools and supplies

Another resource is the expansive trades info sites that feature 'do it yourself' information valuable to anyone who is taking on drywall tasks for the first time. These neat sites contain a lot of the critical information your new people need to get acclimated.

I recommend: The comprehensive online DIY Network features experts showing newbies how to use tools and equipment to do home and building improvement from the simple to the complex. For more step-by-step drywall tutorials, go to Drywall-Info.com.

Find worker forums for more 'hands-on' drywall tool training info

Online web forums also give new workers a lot to take in -- seasoned pros dish out how to get the jobs done, how to tackle every stage of a drywall project and what drywall material choices are best to get the job done.

I recommend: Get tips on the use of drywall trade equipment straight from workers at work forums like the JLC Online site, where workers talk about different brands and quality of drywall supply sets. Get more online news on tools and equipment from the Contractors Group.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When looking at training on tools for drywall and drywall materials, consider what will be easiest for newbies to understand right off the bat. Skip the detailed stuff about long-term work and go directly to simple how-tos and tips that will affect their first, second or third jobs; after that, they should start learning on their own!

Drywall is a common material used in building residential and commercial properties. A number of different tools are used to properly install drywall. Drywall equipment can include items used for reaching ceilings, transporting drywall and much more. Most drywall equipment is made from heavy-duty materials, allowing it to stand up against normal wear and to make it easier to clean. Large pieces of drywall equipment can be rented for occasional use.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Scaffold

A scaffold is a temporary frame used on construction sites. This frame is often made from metal pipes and is strong enough to support workers and their materials. Scaffolding is used in drywall installation to assist with attaching drywall to ceilings.

I recommend: Affordable Scaffolding provides safety tips when purchasing and using drywall scaffolding.

Drywall cart

A drywall cart is a cart that is designed to hold large sheets of drywall. This makes moving drywall around the work site easier. There are three types of drywall carts: A-frame, tilt and flat.

I recommend: Handtrucks provides information on specific models of drywall carts and user reviews.

Drywall panel lift

A drywall panel lift is a piece of equipment used to support large drywall panels up to the ceiling. The lift can also be used for vertical drywall installation. The panel lift makes it easier for one person to install drywall.

I recommend: Inside Woodworking provides information on drywall lifts, how the lifts work and when to use this type of equipment.

Drywall stilts

Drywall stilts are usually adjustable and can be worn by a drywaller to reach high ceilings. The stilts are made from aluminum for stability and mobility.

I recommend: The Hengda Industrial Group provides an instruction manual for using its brand of drywall stilts.

Automatic drywall taper

An automatic drywall taper is a piece of equipment used to speed up the process of taping joints in drywall. The automatic taper works by having a pre-filled amount of drywall mud inside the taper. This mud is applied to the wall at the same time as the joint tape.

I recommend: Truveo provides a video on using an automatic drywall taper.

Drywall pump

A drywall pump is a tool used to fill other tools with drywall mud. The pump can fill other types of equipment such as an automatic taper, corner box or nail spotter.

I recommend: Drywall Master provides specifications on its loading pump model and related videos that show how to use the product and accessories.