Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Drywall Sanding Tools

The pole sander reaches elevated surfaces.


Drywall contractors sand joints so smoothly that they’re truly undetectable. And it’s not just experience and training that allow the professional to skillfully conceal drywall tape and joints-the pros show up with the right tools for the job. Drywall finishers use both hand and power tools to prepare a surface for texturing and painting. Become familiar with drywall sanding tools to produce finished walls and ceilings with a clean look.


Sanding Block


The sanding block is essentially a rectangular bar of foam coated with an abrasive mineral-grit. The sanding block offers a basic method of hand-sanding a drywall joint compound. The block is particularly effective in reaching corners, tight spots and other areas inaccessible by larger sanding tools. Sanding blocks, like sandpaper, are available in heavy grit for rough sanding and light grit for fine sanding.


Sanding Sponge


The sanding sponge is a large natural or synthetic sponge. The sponge’s exterior features an abrasive coating or material. Sanding sponges are used for wet sanding. A dampened sanding sponge is pressed and rubbed against drywall joint compound to smooth and remove inconsistencies. Because joint compound is water-soluble, the lightly abrasive, dampened sponge easily dissolves and removes it. The sanding sponge and wet-sanding method eliminate the release of hazardous and messy drywall dust into the atmosphere.


Hand Sander


The hand sander looks like a flat, rectangular plate with a U-shaped handle protruding from its top. The side of the plate opposite the handle features clips that hold sheets of drywall sanding paper. A drywall finisher attaches paper of the desired grit to the hand sander, presses the tool against a drywall joint and rubs to smooth and sand the surface.


Pole Sander


The pole sander, like the hand sander, attaches abrasive drywall sandpaper to a flat plate. Instead of a handle, a flexible, threaded tube protrudes from the top of the pole sander. A sanding pole, similar to a broomstick, attaches to the threaded tube and allows the tool’s user to press and rub the sander against ceilings and elevated portions of walls. Because the point of the pole’s connection is flexible, the sander may be easily twisted, turned and pushed across broad surfaces. Pole sanders may be outfitted with telescoping extension poles which extend from a few feet to over 10 feet.








Related posts



    Modern drywall tools are cost effective, widely available and easy to operate.Pole sander drywall tools allow builders and decorators to sand walls, ceilings and floors with minimal effort and wit...
    A pole sander helps you reach high areas on the drywall.It's important to sand a drywall surface after initially hanging the drywall in order to create a uniform smoothness along the fasteners and...
    Mud pans allow drywall finishers to carry small portions of joint compound.Drywall professionals refer to the process of mudding and taping drywall as "finishing." These last steps of th...
    Hanging and finishing drywall can be a difficult task unless you have the right tools. A drywall finisher's tool belt will be equipped with a myriad of drywall tools such as a razor knife, assorte...
    The tools needed to mud and tape drywall are relatively cheap to purchase and can be found at most any hardware store. Depending on the level of experience you have with mudding and taping drywall...