HOW TO COAT BUTT JOINTS (hawk and trowel 4)

Butt joints are not as hard as people think. This video will simplify the process and help you get NICE FLAT JOINTS!
Tools I use often:
DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate I make a small commission from purchases through these links. Thank you for the support!!!!
Drywall knives:
2" amzn.to/2LwX8ty
4" amzn.to/32OHlw3
6" amzn.to/2LwP1x5
10" amzn.to/2QbLbOp (This one will rust if you leave it wet but feels nice to use)
10" amzn.to/3056fcU (This one is stainless. Stiffer, more expensive but won't rust)
Mud Pan with Grip!! (This is the BOMB! You will thank me!)
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Tin Snips GOOD QUALITY!! amzn.to/2LzlOBv
Drywall Tape Holder!! amzn.to/32Udhzd
Paint Mixer for mud!! amzn.to/303fX0q
Full size mixer!! amzn.to/2LYrMLe
Mixing Drill (just in case)!! amzn.to/2O2oQ2P
Hawk and Trowels
13 inch hawk:
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13 inch trowels:
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amzn.to/2ZWH39d
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12 inch trowels:
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14 inch trowels:
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Auto tools
If you don't want to think, here is the whole kit (Columbia is great quality too!) amzn.to/2UwPUae
Mud tubes and applicator:
amzn.to/2Xt65XR (different but works great, I have this one too)
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Flushers
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Handle adjustable
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or fixed handle amzn.to/2DrNt2O
Corner roller (head only, you may need another handle)
amzn.to/2XpuJZo (cheaper)
amzn.to/2XpuNZ8 (better quality)

[@joycehollenbach2513]

Thanks Ben, I am 63 years old and have done a little mudding at home. This is just the thing I was having a problem with. First try worked. Thanks for the info!

[@engteach09]

Faced with a few but joints, I watched this video over and over again. Your skill, experience, and ability to clearly articulate how to do this-and many other tasks-has made your channel my “go to” place for repair and renovation. Thank you for teaching.

[@waynestroud695]

Thank you so much for your videos, I'm working alone nervously doing this type of work for the first time, now I feel totally at ease for the knowledge you have giving me, you are also an excellent teacher.

[@harvey8695]

He makes some of the best instructional videos out there!

[@isaiah6214]

This guys awesome he makes it all look so easy I’m sure it’s not that easy though that’s just years of experience. I have learned a lot and still am learning keep up the great videos

[@TrueDJ]

He does make it look so easy, I did my first taping today and it did not go quite as easy at he makes it look but I did get there in the end :)

[@Joetime90]

Tried using the hawk and trowel recently. It's not easy. I've used a knife and pan all these years and it makes the mundane more exciting with learning new techniques.

[@shure46]

@@Joetime90 I just don't get the hawk and trowel method .... but one day I'm going to try it just for the heck of it .... I've always used the knife and pan , and the hawk trowel looks wrist contorting awkward to me

[@Joetime90]

It's not that easy. Honestly the hardest part is mud consistency! But Uncle Ben here is very informative and encouraging. Best informative drywall channel next to That Kilted Drywall Guy. Both very good informative and encouraging channels.

[@MrBombbostic]

It’s not as easy as it looks like step one getting the tape on a butt joint correctly is slightly challenging for a non professional

[@kiebelemily]

By far the best method I've seen, and I have watched a TON of these drywall joint videos.

[@OldJoe212]

Years ago, I had to repair cracks in my plaster walls. I used fiberglass tape and mud. It took time, but it finally worked. I was told that no matter what I do, the cracks will return. If you ever have a chance, I'd really like to see a pro do this repair. Anyway, I just found you and sub'd. Thanks for sharing your skills.

[@BB-qf1ns]

Pre fill concrete fill and if it’s a spot that cracks don’t use fiber tape. Use paper it’s stronger.

[@OldJoe212]

@Tony P Right. It seems to be a bigger problem with plaster than with drywall. I talked to plaster manufacturers and they said to use mesh. That was about 15-20 years ago and it's still holding. I'd just like to learn a better way...just in case.

[@fanatamon]

Great vid mate as I carpenter I set a lot of joints on plasterboard so I can get through small jobs quickly and that’s great to watch your work as I get butt joints often and get them nice and pretty good but your work is good to watch thanks so much.

[@leemarzahl8891]

Ben, you are awesome! I really enjoy your techniques! You are definitely an awesome craftsman!!! I tell everyone about how awesome you are at your trade & that you are the dude to learn from!!!

[@raulzamora4523]

Ur cool explaining process. I've always use knifes and pan. I have had trowels and eagle store in backpack since middle of last year. Couldn't do it correctly.Time to try again whith the hawk. Thanks.

[@ronaldeisel5927]

Great series of videos. Since you spend considerable time smoothing the joints it raises the question if the walls are spray textured or smooth when finished. Where I live the walls are textured which hides most of the irregularities.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

All smooth. I have never done a texture job that wasn't just a repair on an older ceiling. Walls have never been textured around here. Now we no longer even do ceilings.

[@ronaldeisel5927]

Thanks for the answer. That explains why you have such a high degree of skill doing the joints, etc. Regards, @@vancouvercarpenter

[@lostinmyspace4910]

Thank you for your time. Much respected. Oh, and thumbs up!

[@teezyhernandez9345]

Keep the videos coming Van, I watch every one of them.

[@afili8ed]

Nice & smooth action in that wrist! Lol, The Finish Game is strong in this one ☝️

[@roblepp]

Hey Ben, really love your videos. Something that I've run into that I can't find much information on is doing butt-to-tapered joints. If I'm honest I probably could have avoided this situation by installing the drywall correctly, but too late now. I have a joint in my project that has a butt end installed next to a tapered end. Maybe you could do a video showing us DIYers how you would attack this type of joint. Thanks for all you do!

[@hartmanace2764]

Whenever I have a tapered edge running along a butt edge I fill the the tapered side first with setting type compound like durabond or easy sand. Paying close attention to not over lap onto te but side I do the once or twice if necessary to get the surfaces back to level

[@ruhap9311]

Yea, filling the recessed and treating it like a butt is what I do also.

[@towndrunkjr.5420]

Bevel the butt side with a nice sharp knife, then prefill with some sort of a setting compound.

[@dumbwaller]

Dam it! You make me want to get back on my hawk and trowel game.

[@tabascocrimson7865]

Rookie asks a pro : My trowel's handle is made of soft varnished mahogany is it good? What's your trowel's handle made of? Pro : Mud.

[@BruteEngine]

Keep up the good work! You are very talented, thanks for making all these videos!!! Very helpful!

[@BrockoM]

Man you make that look so easy! How do you do long joints on the ceiling where you can't do long swipes the full length of the seams? When I do these seams, I can only do about six feet at a time on a ladder, then I leave that section dry enough to do another 6 section, but there is always an area between sections that is hard to hide the lines (perpendicular to the joint). Any tips or do you have a video showing this?

[@Tonyhouse1168]

I wouldn’t let it dry between sections. I’d go a little heavier with the mud and overlap where two sections meet, smooth down a little, then let it dry and sand it out. Ceilings are the worst part about drywalling, but like Ben said in the last video: it’s not about how much mud you put on, it’s about how you take it off

[@puppet022]

Thanks Ben! Cheers from Seattle.

[@andrewburton7822]

Is this guy 14' tall and kneeling to 9'?

[@Kickbasser]

Great stuff man! My least favorite job to do when painting. Got to re-learn few things :)

[@MNnytrorider]

Your videos are great. Thanks !

[@lnesland]

Nice job mudding the drywall. Could you make some more videos about carpentry?

[@Oobanrun2024]

Great job with the butts. I make an effort to widen mine an inch or so at the ends,,,but it does take an extra effort .

[@dougbedient4749]

How about old to new, dealing with 1/8 buildup to none. Do you need to pre-fill that offset before taping? Great videos.

[@Joetime90]

The trowel overall doesn't seem so bad. Same principles apply with a knife. Just a different feel so it requires a different yet similar sense of finesse.

[@ibrazeau3044]

Thanks for the video... I normally do 3 butt coats after taping. If you don't mind I will use this video for my employees... I normally do it so fast and am unable to explain without losing it... a good video is much better. Keep it up and thumbs up,for me.

[@vancouvercarpenter]

3 coats would wind up very nice but I always do my first coat heavy enough that it can be sanded flat. That way only 2 are needed and they wind up more than acceptable. On really un-even joints I will do a very wide first pass with quickset.

[@ibrazeau3044]

Vancouver Carpenter guess it depends on the contractual finish level. We normally require commercial level 5 including rolled skim. In most new residential applications, the tape and two coat process before touch-ups is good enough if the applicator and final sanding is good. I hate matching old to new in renos and leave that to more patient guys then me ;) Your videos are good, keep them coming.

[@El_Jeffe]

The first coat was good enough for me.

[@tonyperrin3409]

best i've seen on youtube. top job

[@KevinGeneFeldman]

boy was mine nothing like this. I had a small spatula, the mud was almost like bread dough, whenever I'd put some on it would pull some off. I could never get it on there smooth or even. Every spot I fixed I ruined somewhere else. I've been doing this for weeks and I still have so much more to do. IVE BEEN THROUGH 3 FULL GIANT BUCKETS!

[@Arby631]

If you hadn’t figured out or someone else told you, if you’re buying premixed mud you’ll have to add water and mix with a rounded mixer attachment. Should look like 4 Ds, a nice smooth radius and rounded arms. not the ones with sharp edges/flat edges because they’ll rip the plastic off the bucket if you hit it (you most likely will) and get Schmutz in the mud. Thisll get you a nice smooth mud that sticks to the blade and the wall that leaves a nice smooth finish as you do your final passes. Spatulas/blades are fine but you will most likely want a 6in blade and 12 blade to get a nice feather edge as you build up the mud. Just 6in for prefill and tape coat. You can also hold mud on the 12in like he does with a hawk but it’s messier if you load it up. Extra tip, thin you mud the same way on your finishing coats so it doesn’t sand off in layers. And know when to walk away and deal with it tomorrow after it’s dry.

[@electricianron_New_Jersey]

I appreciate your videos. Very helpful.

[@teh60]

Nice job Ben, great tips.

[@wyattsdad8561]

I like how he gets all pissed off at the corner bead and the crumbs. Who left this CORNER BEAD HERE??? 😂 must’ve had an angry dad

[@linandy1]

Great job

[@darkoserafimovski1696]

Great video. Your instructions are very clear. I want to ask you what is the reason for the gap at the bottom between the sheetrock and the floor. I've heard different answers, but I'm guessing you'll have the right one. 😃

[@renovationsandmore7142]

Drywall is normally hung from the ceiling down. The gap at the bottom allows room to make sure your seams are tight against the ceiling and in the middle of the walls. Finish trim covers the gap at the bottom. Also, drywall shouldn't touch concrete due to the fact that the sheetrock will absorb moisture from it and develop mold.

[@johncampione360]

I like to get you in the concrete with me on some flat work see how much your transfers are from the drywall to the concrete skills

[@justmike57]

Thank you for the share.

[@patrickscaia9335]

My problem is when coatings horizontals 1st 2nd 3rd. I can’t get a straight upper and lower edge. It is all blotchy and uneven . Pat from Vic.

[@johncampione360]

Impressive

[@gertboer]

Why don't you use 4 x tapered edge boards?

[@jeffreylonigro1382]

Thanks for the info. Can you explain the term “liftoff?”

[@sigma_z]

I think he's talking about NASA.

[@dieseldown]

It’s when you lift the trowel off the drywall.

[@meblake7359]

have you ever used drywall shims to make dip joints out of the butt joints?

[@dunkingisgoated]

Hi can you please let us know how to install a proper shadow molding?

[@spotty1666]

Is he putting this coat directly over the cured paper tape or is there a coat in between?

[@gersonperdomo8952]

My friend,I am finisher I know everything you do, the only difference that I don't use the trowel and the hawk.

[@spdd081603]

Gerson Perdomo what’s your point? Just to say you know everything???? Smh

[@Swenser]

I have to trowel over a long line where it's been taped and filled with filler. It's concaved a bit. Any tips? Should I use a curved trowel that's not so stiff?

[@leroychavez4113]

Why do I get scratches after I put three coats of mud on the butt joint

[@brucegrell3162]

Is the trowel yo use the same as a concrete finishing trowel? No one around me sells a drywall trowel that isn’t curved in 12”, Only concrete trowels in 12” straight. I have a 14” straight “drywall trowel” but It’s a little big at times so would like to try a 12” instead.

[@markhuru]

I don’t like trowl because it’s to ridged, wish I could find a flexible one

[@crisquezada9495]

Are flat boxes not a thing anymore?

[@dergrunepunkt]

I started have to do 4 rooms in my new house, I been following his method and was pretty effective, I still need to adapt some things, seems that the ready-made mud I have here is slightly different, seems to be thicker and it's full of bubbles. Any advice on how to use de-gas the mud?, keep the vids coming :-)

[@marcin495]

Add some water and mix it with an electric drill paddle. Makes the mud smoother and easier to apply.

[@Van_bya_river]

Water and mixing

[@lionintu]

U da man

[@JoseOchoa-ef2vf]

You skate bro?

[@keithmarucci2563]

Is that a flat trowel or curved trowel?

[@vancouvercarpenter]

Flat

[@zhelyazkozhelev2705]

What is trowel size ....

[@brianlocal3]

Me: 40 coats later, my floor is 3” thicker than before. My entire body is covered in mud and I still see the tape smh

[@spencercolgan]

Love your content. I have a suggestion for you: get a name/logo and start wearing your shirts in your videos - a good shirt will cost you about $45 per shirt

[@Cris5598]

Yeah , very smooth and finish product, but when you have 50 joints like these, this method will consume all your time .

[@clevername4781]

We had butt joints in prison all the time

[@npanos1]

I love you! :D (Y)

[@glennfelpel9785]

you sure are good! Look out when someone makes it look so easy. It takes practice. :-)

[@robertcollins7515]

& Patience.

[@efrainsanchezz2101]

Hey I need a job I do remodeling

[@bogkisson1161]

nice work! but damn bruh get yourself some kneepads!

[@Van_bya_river]

Skaters don't use need pads.. poser lol jp

[@reapermanslayer]

You make me sick. Good job.

[@coreybaker2899]

This absolutely the wrong way to do this

[@bodanlunny1323]

Thank