Beginners Guide to Using an Automatic Taper

We've teamed up with LEVEL5 Tools to bring you an educational series on how to use Automatic Taping Tools.
In this first video we take an in depth look at all the basic parts and functions of an automatic taper.
We are also excited to announce we've arranged a special Drywall Nation discount code with LEVEL5 Tools!
Visit www.LEVEL5Tools.com and at checkout enter the promo code: DWN10 for a 10% discount. This even applies to full drywall tool sets! The website is only able to process orders automatically in the continental USA, but for other regions if you call their sales line at 800.227.7713 and quote the promo code over the phone, they will give you the Drywall Nation discount.
LEVEL5 Tools are also available for purchase on Amazon.
Automatic Taper: amzn.to/3e1VStD
Full Drywall Taping and Finishing Set:
amzn.to/2Tq9h71
Deluxe Drywall Handtool Set:
amzn.to/3g9jfTV

[@brandonhunter2760]

Brian's videos never get old. Always informative.

[@robrushing2345]

Great video. Ive been painting for 40 years my uncles were all drywallers and finishers. I always wanted to do but it looked confusing to me. Your video is awesome. I appreciate your content

[@drywallnation]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind words!

[@remodelwithashleys]

Do you have videos explaining how much water to add to your mud for the bazooka and boxes?

[@KurtfromLaQuinta]

When you string tape you want it fairly thin. But not "waterly" thin. And it all depends on which brand of compound you using/ the weather/ how fast you move etc.You'll probably will need to experiment. Usually the thinner the better... but if you go to far, you'll have a disaster on your head. If you go to thick... it won't work right either. It's a Goldilocks syndrome for sure. As far as boxing... I get it where it won't fall out of the box when I hold it sideways. Like above... too thin and it will be a mess. To thick and your rectum will fall out. Different types of muds require their own special tuning. I know USG +3 can be run thicker that most brands. And I wouldn't recommend it for using through the bazooka. It has a tendency to fall apart when mixed with lots of water. It works great for everything else.

[@Mudslingr]

Excellent explanation Brian.

[@drywallnation]

Thanks Frank!

[@painting1989]

Thank you! this was so helpful!!

[@stevenpiehl6199]

Been running the gun forever 45 plus yrs couldn’t of explained it as well as you excellent vid for newbies or oldies

[@drywallnation]

Thank you sir!

[@PaulPeck]

Awesome tutorial Brian!🔥👏🏻😎

[@drywallnation]

Thanks Paul!

[@amandacooley8697]

I'm gonna learn this. Thanks for another video!!!

[@neven8ivan]

Great video

[@bannana422]

This was useful and thorough, thanks

[@drywallnation]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching

[@victorraulvillanuevachavez7597]

Absolutely helpful video thank you so much

[@drywallnation]

Thanks for watching! Glad it was helpful!

[@gordongoodkey4118]

Great break down man too tired to say much bro spray foam is going good but still got some hurtles to jump to make a complete drywall inso company glad to see you guys still rockin

[@drywallnation]

Get some rest dude! Glad to hear the sprayfoam business is going well!

[@heribertobautistajimenez5811]

Exellent job

[@josesalinas3036]

Thank you 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Videosfromdaytonohio..]

Thanks

[@calvinweed8173]

beautiful built great details and information thank you so much the only thing that drove me nuts is why is the drive cable already like that and not cenetered like a winch a little more

[@CLamb385]

Great video. I struggled yesterday using my taper for the first time on ceiling corners. My drag was WAY too tight

[@sikariocln8194]

Brian that cable could use a little readjusting so that it’s not overlapping. Great video by the way, nicely done.

[@emmanuelola9939]

Thank you from NZ. I have same Brand :))

[@drywallnation]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@saminacereddine37]

Thank you

[@drywallnation]

You're Welcome!

[@robertwhitstone3741]

Just got a banjo now I want it all ahahah

[@jasonjohnson3424]

This worked well with Ames taping bazooka as well.

[@high5pirit]

I thought it will work with the normal adhesive tape for preparation before painting. This is kind of a mess to me. Is there another tool for the normal wall adhesive tape, please?

[@platrecommingeois3759]

hello what is the product level 5 especially for the bazouka

[@beakmw]

Great video. Interested in knowing what you recommend for clean up and overnight storage? Do you thoroughly clean each day? Or just put tool in water? Or other? Thanks.

[@drywallnation]

Here's a video we did on exactly that. We thoroughly clean after each job. Leaving it in a bucket of water for a day or two is okay but never for any prolonged period of time. After cleaning it, use fluid-film to keep the seals and wearable parts in good condition. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oojRq4igj89mos0

[@shawnstone8924]

Always clean 100% completely after each job, as soon as possible. Rinse your boxes and pans/tools throughout the day that way it cleans off easier as well. The equipment is not cheap, so keeping them in good condition is a must.

[@deandenis1954]

Hey Brian, these videos are awesome. I'm a newbie with the auto tapper. I tried this for the first time, and it seemed like too much mud was coming out, Major mess. Thoughts....

[@hirschconstruction5846]

I have the same problem used it yesterday for the first time and I had mud all over dripping all over when did ceiling mud wasn't to runny yes and suggestions would help thanks much

[@ingvarz7468]

how thick or thin the mud should be?

[@dragankarastojkovic3456]

What would be the Ranking of Taping tools we begginers can get our hands on for Long term usage with less problems possible ? asking for hones opinion from experienced... Thanks Folks!

[@deiviaguilar]

Cuáles son los precios de todas las herramientas

[@djbodydaveigadaveiga8377]

Como controlar a saida da massa para nao cair ao chão obrigado

[@250Brian]

I have an older Tapetech that has no brake on it but spins fairly well. Problem is Tape drag is bad no matter how i mix the mud. Also on flats I charge the head before I advance the tape but always seem to get a dry spot about 3" from the start for about 2" then is good. My next step is trying a new bazooka.

[@KurtfromLaQuinta]

I've been pushing the tools for 50 years now. I was taught by two, truly bazooka masters. They are considered legends here in southern California. One is 78 and still pushing the tools in Alaska. That guy could put 2- 500' rolls of tape an hour by himself. And was super clean. Guys would come and watch him string tape and were blown away. And here in the Coachella Valley we all did completions... from taping to sand and check out... ready for spray. One must do it right or you were fired. He taught me to roll the "Auto Taper" (That term just cracks me up. I still haven't found the "Auto" mode yet.) up the wall after each cut to drive more mud out the end to pre- load the tape to prevent a big blister at the next move. Yes, charge the head! Maybe you aren't kicking it long enough? You don't need a new bazooka... you just need to roll it out a little bit more? The drag issue might be that your roll of tape is dragging against the spool holder. I use 500' rolls exclusively. They will drag against that hold down rod. So I use the end of the pump handle and concave the roll of tape so just a small part of the tape roll is touching the rod. A very small amount of oil on the spool axle will also eliminate a lot of the drag from the roll. Be careful there... to much oil will cause the roll to take off after you stop. That is, if your moving fast enough. LoL! Your Tape Tech bazooka has a "brake". It's just not adjustable like the Level 5 one here in the video. Fancyness! If there was no brake... it would roll backwards. You can adjust it buy tweaking the little rod that presses the little brake roller against the wheel of the grooved big wheel. All you need is a nail to pull the little rod with the nail head towards you. This with cause more drag. Push it away for less drag. Be careful... you want some drag. Tape Tech is old school compared to the latest renditions out there now. But they still work fine.

[@nathanbier2277]

​@@KurtfromLaQuinta i believe you may have solved my issue as well. I may have to clean tje spool alsobi got some metal residue on it from loong service(tube was my dads back in the 80s) i def felt spool drag now that you mention it because the tape was a little tough to pull by hand to feed it at times with a new roll i would bet that between the spool needing lube and the tape drag on the rod that was it. There was a 4 to 6 inch drag im going to do this.... so i thank you sir. You did mention concaving the tape... do you have a video or a pic maybe to show hoe you do so.... i am not following that part well.

[@KurtfromLaQuinta]

​@@nathanbier2277 Nathan! I hope I helped you a little there with that drag issue. As far as the "concaving." the roll of tape... I don't have a video. Let me try to explain it better. When your "stringing tape"... one whole side of roll wants to ride flat against the wire holder. What you want to try to do is to limit that from happening because it's a major source of drag. So whichever ever way you put your roll on the spool, you want the outer side of the roll tape to not rub against that wire holder. That's why I basically "beat/ push" the opposite side of the roll so just a small part of the roll is touching the wire holder. And the rest of the roll is bent back towards the tube. Hardly any drag. I use the end of the pump handle to drive the roll to get that concave shape. Hope that helps. I could put my email address here and send you a picture... but I'm afraid somebody here at You Tube would kill this response. Not sure what their policy here is on that.

[@Art416]

Awesome videos always very informative. Would you know how I would take apart a mud pump when its stuck together. I’ve never unlatched it and pulled it apart. But now that I finally did it won’t come apart.

[@drywallnation]

Hey, sorry for the late reply. Hopefully you've figured out your pump issue by now but it case you haven't, fluidfilm is great to help get things moving again. Could be it sorta welded together by electrolysis from being left in water too long over the years without proper maintenence. Not uncommon, especially in older pumps.

[@mexinumba1]

You never really did a video on the Corner tool, can you make one?

[@alexivonne60123]

Hi i have a drywall company is it worth it buying this brand? I always used tape tech.

[@DoctorDrywallLatinoAmerica]

FUCKING AWESOME.

[@drywallnation]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@maltonfil]

Hey is there any good starter kit for $1000 or under

[@drywallnation]

For that price range you'd be better off investing in semi auto tools. Like a compound tube with roller and flushers. We will release videos on this shortly. Semi auto kits start at around $1000. If you'd like more information or have any questions you can send me an email at [e-mail]

[@unitedinteriorscinci]

Anyone ever head of Optimo drywall tools? They sent me the automatic taper, when I originally ordered Sierra Rugged Tools Auto taper. Before I send it back is there anyone who recommends to keep it.

[@drywallnation]

Haha! Never heard of Optimo no. Sierra is also garbage so may as well send that back too. Lol. All these no name tool companies trying to compete with Level5. Cheap crap. Level5 is your best bang for buck if you ask me. Excellent 7 year warranty, great customer service and affordable pricing. If you're interested in Lev5tools.com you can use our promo code to save 10% at checkout. Promo code "DWN10" at checkout.

[@harminschilling5839]

Cómo se llama en castellano para chile 🇨🇱.pedir una de esa gracias

[@ryanberthelette8801]

How do I do angles without dragging the tape out from the corner?

[@drywallnation]

Here's a quick video showing how to reduce tape drag in corners kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zpu6pYF4bdN3frs

[@ryanberthelette8801]

@@drywallnation Thank you buddy..cheers from the west coast 🍻

[@drywallnation]

Cheers man!

[@ryanberthelette8801]

My needle on my Northstar is cutting my tape.

[@luisuriostegui6376]

Automatic tapper AKA the bazooka lol

[@drywallnation]

The tool is actually called an Automatic Taper. It is more commonly known as a bazooka yes, however bazooka is a brand of automatic taper owned by AMES (Tapetech). Kinda like everyone calls facial tissues Kleenex, but kleenex is just one of many brands. Same thing with the bazooka (ie: automatic taper).

[@shawnstone8924]

Ain't gonna lie, when we see guys with a tool set up like this, all level 5 tools, clean, etc. We already know they gonna slow us down lol. Level 5 is a great brand, but show up with this and we're sticking you on a ladder doing fire taping, that's where rookies start lol

[@mrgrey361]

Geez this thing looks complex

[@shawnstone8924]

If your a beginner your not allowed to use the bazooka. At least 18 months before a company is gonna start training lol.

[@mdr245724]

can I run my bazooka with 90-minute hot mud

[@drywallnation]

Absolutely not. I mean, technically you can, but I strongly advise you don't. You'll have to mix your setting compound very, very thin for it to operate properly. And as it starts to setup, your taper will get harder and harder to run. Not to mention, cleaning it will be damn near impossible. Setting compound will also dry up your seals and parts. Strongly suggests you don't do this. Not worth the risk. Better off using a banjo or compound tube for setting compound.

[@HERORemains]

You are half correct when it comes to the installation and orientation of the tape in a bazooka...you are left handed.. If you are right handed the roll is better counter-clockwise.

[@loreec90]

Why are there videos on using auto tools? If you’re a happy home owner do it by hand. And for the finishers out there this is 1st bracket info

[@MAGAMAN]

That thing looks extremely over complicated compared to a Banjo. Probably a hassle to clean too.

[@olgerferrera5603]

Uou have to stop snd explain king of slow .you are going to fast

[@drywallnation]

Good thing this is KZbin, and you can pause, rewind, and watch as many times as you need too in order to understand.

[@karamkallas267]

Novice and dull sales pitch. Hand tool drywaller since 1958