This Trick Will Make Your Bulkheads (Or Soffits) Look Intentional

Today we're drywalling around lateral sewer line because you can't finish a basement ceiling without finishing around your mechanical systems. This is easier than you think when you use flexible aluminum framing to support your drywall. Watch the entire basement series 👉🏼 • Finish Your Basement S...
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[@TwilightxKnight13]

Adding a step bench like he uses in the video is one of the best tool investments I ever made. Being able to work off a flat surface instead of a ladder and reach a much larger work area without moving the ladder is incredibly helpful. They are not all that expensive in comparison to step ladders. Get yourself one that has adjustable legs so you can us it in stairwells and other uneven surfaces. Some even have outrigger legs that extend from the bottom of the ladder legs to give you extra lateral support so your platform does not tip over.

[@Cliff_Hanger9465]

As always, great content! I used your framing system for bulkheads when I did my basement last year. People always comment how sharp it looks - nice straight lines and fits into the overall design. Thanks Jeff!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

That’s awesome! Cheers

[@BTPO]

Always BRILLIANT Jeff!!! Your the greatest instructor. I’m a seasoned Journeyman carpenter and I learned more through you than anyone else. Cheers

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Great Career choice my friend. Cheers!

[@Rose-fb3qo]

The Master of Plaster, Lord of dry wall, the King of Ceilings!!! Jeff!!!!!

[@shafashaban]

Another fantastic video! As luck would have it, I am tackling this exact same project in my basement. I have already started the framing and took a chance and went with aluminum studs. This video reassured me that the work I have done is on the right path and solved 2 big pain points/blockers for me: 1) Securing the bulkhead framing to a wall 2) Making the corners look good. Between this and your soundproofing videos, I have a lot to go on. Thank you very much as always, Jeff!

[@coreygrua3271]

“This $20 tool replaces the need to hire someone…” that is one reason I love Thorman videos! Another reason…Jeff talking to himself is worth a dozen books on the subject. Brilliant.

[@lightningdean]

I like to think that Jeff is a mythological being. He can't rest, until everything has been given his seal of approval. Thanks to the internet, he can make these videos and may one day finally rest. In all seriousness, great video and great content. You're an inspiration on work ethic and working with positive outlooks.

[@j.o.a.t9718]

Watching Jeff, it's like I'm watching myself. He talks to himself as much as I do while doing great work.

[@JakePlisskin12]

I wish I started my construction career learning from someone like you. I always get stuck with half fass hacks that never try new product and think the way they were taught to do things is the only way even though it's not. You sir seem to have mass amounts of commen sense when it come to techniques, tools and materials. You work smart and hard.

[@user-sw6bw9vy2g]

AWESOME JOB JEFF. I SURE APPRECIATE YOUR PROFESSIONALISM.

[@jackmorgan709]

here's a tip for cutting steel studs - mark both sides as you did, then score the metal on the flat side with a utility knife, cut the edges, and then bend the stud back and forth to snap.

[@infidel900rr]

Very helpful with great tips as always! 👍👍 I watched your videos back in 2019-2020 when working on my last house - it turned out great! We're about to close on the next one, and it's another fixer - couldn't do it without you. Thanks!

[@golias1979]

It's a lot of fun watching your videos! I'm a drywaller in Portugal, and you ROCK!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Thank you very much! Cheers to Portugal!

[@x1984x]

I've totally walked off the end of my work platform before and wondered what the hell was happening the entire time I was falling off of it! 🤣

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

happens to me all the time. Cheers!

[@anecdotephotography]

I'm not planning on installing drywall ever... but this is so entertaining to watch! And to see all of the little tips and tricks if just mesmerizing. Really cool content as always!

[@ipick4fun27]

This helps with repair as well.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!

[@AdjustinThings]

Do the box all the way around the room and you've got yourself a fancy coffered ceiling

[@morokeiboethia6749]

If you threw some cheap molding on top of that then people will think you're rich

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Definitely an option. in this case we are finishing the same as the upstairs to create continuity. Cheers!

[@ladyewo6778]

I want to build trey or coffered ceilings in my master bedroom and formal dining room I was thinking this would be a great way to accomplish the task.

[@carlotta4th]

Yeah, if you have to have a drop ironically making it bigger or wrap around is often a better solution because then it looks purposeful! I had a really ugly ceiling box in one room that I extended to the other end and put recessed lighting in. A bit of decorative molding and now it looks like a nice light bar instead of an eye sore.

[@serjiobinks91]

Walking out the end of your stool ladder is something we have all done before 😂😭, thank you for the video it really help me out at work 😎

[@chippydog2]

Long time watcher! Always good content some of which I can use in my new log home

[@Sean-bp6xb]

I’ve always been scared of steel. This made it look easy. Thx. Watching from Ontario Canada 🎉

[@davidrosemond9012]

Once again another great video Jeff! Ingenuity at its finest!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Wow, thanks! Cheers David!

[@walinekjeu3639]

Wow perfect every time! I wish you had uploaded this video 4 weeks ago I did mine but the way you did was much easier fast and flash with the beam. ❤

[@ipick4fun27]

@@keithmarlowe5569 it just sinking in on his method now that you have explained the method with wood. I haven’t done framing so I’m a bit slow to catch the ideas. Basically he’s using the thickness to his advantage and slide the bottom one up and down for the perfect height. Where as you can’t do with wood. It’s much cheaper too. Saves on material.

[@sociopathmercenary]

"up in here up in here... I'm about to blow your mind" Never thought I'd be getting DMX lyrics here 😳

[@dslrvideoshooter]

FX6 and falcon Eyes LED mats. Nice kit. Soffit build was also great ;-)

[@scottag0]

Great editing recently. It might seem more jumpy, but I appreciate the concise presentation.

[@MattN03]

I'd like to see how you finish out the septic clean out to make it look decent.

[@rpaasse6453]

I have to drywall my whole attic, just had it insolated with Canadian Icynene, yes sir, and the tape looks great to use. Ah well first the strapping and making it all straight. You certenly apear to be much more relaxed, and thats good to see.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Life has been very stressful off camera lately, so I am glad to be on the other side of all that stress for sure. Cheers!

[@ryanwilson6162]

This is so relaxing to watch...and educational!

[@jonhunt7301]

Very helpful and informative Jeff. I’ve used a few of your videos for my DIY projects!

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Glad to help, Cheers!

[@Eschguy]

Safe to assume that since we have some tape peeling away at some drywall joints, the previous owner did not do this. Great stuff, thanks for all the tips!

[@j.o.a.t9718]

The tape did not bond with the mud. When using tape, I use a wetter mud mix. This helps to adhere the tape with the mud.

[@gergemall]

Hi Jeff. Thank you. Even if you never able to get more blue polo tee shirts I will purchase one in stock.

[@davegeorge7094]

The man knows how!

[@clcortelyou]

Almost every time Jeff drives a screw, I hear the horn section from KC & the Sunshine Band's "Boogie Shoes."

[@jvburnes]

Wow, perfect. It would be great if you could extend this soffit method to full tray ceilings around all walls.

[@ecospider5]

18” x18” heat duct going through our 7’ 11” tall basement. I had it replaced with an 8” x 48” duct. When they framed around it they put a 2x4 below. I had to explain the problem with that. Ok now the drywall is 1/2” from the duct. When that drywall box hit the wall I wanted it to look like an archway. We talked for an hour. They just could not understand what we wanted. The good pencil drawings just were not doing it. So that night I built a 3D model of what I wanted out of cardboard. It came out great in the end.

[@elldog00]

I used your 2x2 method and it worked out great and made a very straight bulk head that is 30 ft long. Just curious when you would use aluminum studs over your old 2x2 method. Thanks for the videos, keep it up!

[@JustinRiley1987]

You know it's a good trick when Jeff starts singing DMX! 11:20

[@bignamek]

Nice DMX impression at 11:20, Jeff!

[@htam95]

Quoting DMX lyrics up in here! 😂😂😂

[@MyFirstYoutubeHandle]

Great video and soffit work!

[@Keith_KC8TCQ]

You CAN have long runs of corner bead match up perfectly. It's real easy. I always keep scrap pieces of corner bead from cutoffs, cut them around 4 inches long, cut each end to a point/arrow, and snip along the edge so it is about half the normal width, slide it under the end of your first piece of corner bead, and when you put the next piece on, that scrap piece will keep them perfectly in line.

[@susanpeterson9558]

Beautifully done 😊❤

[@seen48]

I’m pretty certain you can, but could you have used a chop saw to cut the steel studs? Perhaps get another bench to be able to get 10’ done? Amazing work, sincerely. Full props for the talent you have, especially with the muding and taping.

[@abbdavis5716]

Thank you

[@codystanton5533]

If you're going to use metal, grab yourself some 2x2 angle for the bottom track and screw studs that span from one to the other to the hard side of your studs

[@SophiaAphrodite]

I prefer accidental bulkheads. Give your house that " lived in, no idea what I am doing" look that makes homes so valuable!

[@Jubileejones]

😅😅😅

[@DivergentAlex]

I can absolutely relate to this.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

Cheers Sophia!

[@AntiMatter930]

Amazes me that you work in inches 😱

[@danielhammer7148]

This is perfect timing. I see less yellow tools are you finding similar quality with the craftsman?

[@misterm7086]

So the steel stud crimper tool simply secures the steel studs to make installing the peanut screws easier, correct?

[@joedurkin8953]

Merry Christmas Jeff

[@brianboychuk3712]

This was very helpful. Thank you.

[@limogesfarmer6326]

If don't have time to wait for the PL to gule to the beam, you can dry fit some wood in there. You just cut the corners off the wood at teh back to account for the curve in the steel, and use a sledge hammer to whack them in. I use this when attaching joist to the sides of I-beams. Easy easy and takes just a few minutes cutting wood to the right size and shape. I stead of making ladders, cut OSB panels on a table saw to the depth of the bulckhead: you can cut it a bit short and use the level. Screw the OSB panel to your 2x4 you attached to the floor joists, and now you have your sides done. Last set is to attach a metal stud to the inside of the OSB panel. There you can make everything perfectly level and straight. Attach the horizontal drywall the same was as in the video. Makes everything straght and solid. I also can add curves to the bulckheads: makes it look real nice.

[@DRDRYWALL1969]

Cut a strip of drywall to create the drop then another piece of 1”5/8 track for the bottom edge

[@ethansieber7873]

Don't think he mentioned it, but use fine thread drywall screws when attaching the steel track/studs opposed to the coarse thread for wood.

[@unclebill5170]

Take that trowel off at Hawk you will cut your self open with it and only take a little bit of mud off from under the tape and by putting the extra coat on when it’s wet will let the tape move around and after it’s dry it will look wavy when you look down at edge !!

[@douglaswindsor120]

When I did my total renovation and addition to my house I used some metal studs but mostly 1 1/2 matal angle iron same gage as the metal studs but in boxing in a beam or ductwork horizontal and vertical I just attached the one in the corner to the drywall no studs between the angle iron the drywall can hold the weight as for those pan head screws they started out with one name and switched back and forth with waffer head on the box and it has always been hard to find them because you ask for one and it's called the other the new guys and most are new don't know what you want they come in 2 length 5/8 and. 1 5/8 5/8 is the usual size for joining metal studs and angle but I keep both in my truck as both are so handy I've used both in so many different situations even building my first motor home addition and later my quick budget handy bus conversion to a camper

[@BryanBarcelo]

Good stuff, learned a lot, thank you! ✌

[@billsmith8339]

I was just wondering if you ever walk off the end of the ladder when you said to watch out for that HAHA I hate mudding because my mind goes numb and I do walk off the end HAHA

[@tomprovan50]

great video

[@xisplo]

I really like your previous way of building bulks.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

it works great for tough short spaces. this is better for 30' runs. Cheers!

[@Chasing70]

I needed this video! 🙏 ❤

[@mikehood7480]

hey where did you get that hawk from,,,make it? or buy it?

[@louisvl10]

'wood is never straight' a lesson i learned renovating my deck last year. removed all deck panels to redo the structure between the deck and concrete that had rotten. i was thinking just lay back the deck planks and be done. boy was i wrong. had to use clamps and spacers to get it straight again, paying attention to the concavity of the bend each time. took a lot more time than expected.

[@louisvl10]

@@anothermovienerd yea most big box stores also have all the crooked parts in front or even only have crooked parts left cuz everyone is picking the straight ones. gotta hit the lumber yard for any serious project.

[@christopherlelotte6633]

love you man!

[@davyc2193]

Those small framing screws are also known as Kelly screws

[@rortiz]

Thanks!

[@FHES2005]

I see you're promoting Craftsman products LOL

[@kylecrafton7003]

How do you recommend dealing with a bulkhead and a drop ceiling ?

[@hebber1961]

Not a fan of steel studs but I get the benefits. I have my doubts that crimping for attaching studs is to code everywhere in NA.

[@chadshardwood247]

i like it looks good man i do think i would've went 23 1/2 or 23 3/8 for the the finish 2 ft :)

[@avemardore]

Just curious Jeff, could I build what looks like a ladder assembly (top, baseplate and rungs) on the floor and then lift it in place?

[@earlburt4963]

if i may suggest, do ur bulkhead sides 1st, than the bottom, that way the seam where they meet is on the side and mud doesn't drip out, unless u are using metal beads than it doesn't matter

[@michaelwells7348]

~ U can even build them for that Snoopy Building Inspector who is coming on Monday ~ Don’t ask Don’t Tell Sophits

[@aavocadoToast]

Question -- what was the crimper used for (and is it necessary?), if the studs were going to be fastened with screws anyways?

[@extracelestial9941]

1 screw for every joist isn't necessary. *Proceeds to screw in every joist* You killin me Jeff.

[@dojesenpai6957]

i need to install a door frame under a soffit but i only have 83" from the floor up to the soffit can i just put a 2X4 for my header?

[@amthevision8931]

Think I need to go back to fundamentals of handyman work and building. I am so lost with all of this

[@MrZoso124]

I thought you'd want to keep the drywall from touching the beam when you run it underneath so the sound energy doesn't transfer from the drywall directly into the beam.

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

In this case we have an open stairwell so not going to make any difference trying to use sound control measures other than impact noise from above. Cheers!

[@audiobrad99]

I used to build recording studios. In a residential situation, the transfer of sound energy would be negligible since anything with high mass (like steel beams) require enormous amounts of energy to be put in motion and transfer those vibrations elsewhere. Also, sound travels through various mediums differently. While diaphragmatic transfer can be significant with some noises like foot falls or lower frequency sounds, air leakage is also a huge culprit. It's a matter of chasing the weaker links first.

[@joelhuppe3725]

Is it the same drywall screws for wood and metal ?

[@erikacevedo18]

no, for screwing drywall into metal you should use fine-thread drywall screws. both will work, but the fine thread will be easier to drive and hold better

[@joelhuppe3725]

@@erikacevedo18 thanks 👍

[@hoplawego]

Question for you all. I bought a big house. Have done what i needed to fix before the winter and now i’m beginning complete demo. What is the best way to get the best deals on all the materials for when the rebuild will begin? Can I build a complete bill of material and go sit with the home depot manager to see what he can do? (Electrical, plumbing, drywall, floooring, etc) I’m in quebec.. thanks

[@paulk9534]

How would you fix directly into concrete? My ceiling and walls are concrete… how can i box directly onto them without using rawl plugs?

[@JustinKobus]

Awesome video, this is great timing for me! What kind of spacing do you need to do with this method around a heating or return duct?

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

only enough to add insulation if that is needed for sound control.

[@JustinKobus]

@@HomeRenoVisionDIY perfect thanks much!! I wasn't sure if you had to worry about more space so the drywall doesn't heat up.

[@davel4449]

But for a real soundproof ceiling with sonopan and resilient channel how do you do it ?!

[@angelkilier]

The steel I beam is clearly 250mm (9-13/16) tall. It only doesn't make sense if you don't use metric system.

[@thenear1send]

Are you using USG Plus 3 for taping? This video came at a great time... I've been planning on a bulkhead project in my garage!

[@tasobouzinelos8027]

Great video Jeff as usual! What’s your opinion on installing bathroom ceramic ceiling tile? Wondering if you can do a video on it one of these days? Cheers

[@zARies31]

Hows those new craftsman drill n impacts im a makita guy I have some m12 tools from milwaukee but i just bought a new battery powered craftsmans sliding wet saw an shes beautiful batteries seem good really thinking about getting craftsman tools all my others have a few good years on them still strong but everyone knows how that goes

[@eErudius]

Thanks for sticking that song in my head.... ♫♪ y'all gon make me act a FOOL - up in HERE... up in here ♪♫

[@littleshopofrandom685]

Weirdly I am framing a bulkhead tomorrow and just bought some of this stuff.

[@filimomi_is_a_winne_power_up]

Basement

[@MikeyFFA500]

Where do you get the HAWKMATE in Canada?

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

I got mine at Gratien Proulx in Ottawa. they have a great drywall showroom there. Cheers!

[@AMERICA_F1RST]

Did craftsman sponsor you or are you just trying their line ? Basically the same as DeWalt but DeWalt has been my trusted line for so long

[@danneilson684]

Always sounds like he's running a marathon!!

[@huejanus5505]

I just recently finished my basement as well. For the bulkheads (ladders), i built them all on the floor in 8’ sections, and just lifted them into place and secured them. Looks great and lets you do most of the work on the floor instead of on a ladder. Mine are framed with wood.

[@ZYX884]

Now I feel like I need the stilts :)

[@thanhphatnguyen3457]

what is the tool that you use to make hole for metal called? Thank you

[@thomaskelly9396]

Where are the dewalt drills

[@briansmith3191]

Why not use 2x4s "wood" inside the steel stud channel...just cut on a chop saw and install with drywall screws..way faster

[@jeffmilroy9345]

"Tight to the steel" is more important than you think in 7' high basements with big steel beams bringing it down to 6-4 or even lower. That is talking as one who is 6-4 and has seen guys 6-5 or maybe taller bouncing their noggins on crazy low box-ins built by shorter humans. And believe it or not - partition walls and even doors added in below that make for even greater 3 stooges slapstick routines.

[@jofalltrades1816]

Great video, tons of good info Jeff. Question: my bulkhead happens to be 60" wide, inlcudes heat, return and HRV hard piping. I was going to use your old system with OSB, 2x2 as I only have 3" between the hvac runs. Could I use steel on either side and OSB in the middle?

[@chrislnflorida5192]

When your putting on the 2nd coat of mud before letting it dry, doesn't your outside corner do some crazy stuff, flatten out, ect.?

[@HomeRenoVisionDIY]

sometimes , however if you want perfect corners use the 45 mud to cover and then a second coat. Cheers!

[@DrLandscapeInc]

Great Video and tips! Are you using 1/2" or 5/8" drywall? We use 5/8 " firecode for ceilings and especially around structural - is that required for your work too? Thanks for all the tips - great content. Cheers.