Solutions for Common Mudrunner Problems (+Brief Order of Skimming)

In this video, the Doctor talks about common problems and solutions for when you're having trouble running a Mudrunner. There are numerous simple things that can lead to a bad experience with this tool, and we give a heads up to where a majority of those problems can be.
Timestamps for reference:
0:09-0:52 - Order of Skim Coat
1:24-3:23 - How to oil handle screw, handle, and tube
3:24-3:49 - Make sure you have properly thin mud
3:50-4:53 - Release handle early enough before reaching angle
Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of The Drywall Doctor, we cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. The Drywall Doctor assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in these videos. Use this information at your own risk. The Drywall Doctor recommends safe practices when working with tools seen or implied in our video and written content. Due to factors beyond the control of The Drywall Doctor, no information contained on this KZbin channel, Facebook page, website and Twitter page shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this content is the sole responsibility of the user and not The Drywall Doctor
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THE DRYWALL DOCTOR™

[@twjull]

Who ever has the warehouse of mud runners in Canada let me know I’ll take one!

[@taylorlonghurst7710]

I love the mudrunner by tt. I prefer it over angle box and mud shot because you control the mud. You can pass over it as many times as you want with out pushing out mud unlike the mud shot any pressure pushes it out Love the vids drywall doc

[@aidenjames3455]

I obtained 1. Did great on a whole house project, corners were fantastic! Also to note I slipped on scaffolding with this tool in my hands. Hit the scaffolding my hands let go and dropped 7 or 9 feet. Great that it was flat on its way down, still in good condition after that fall, both the tool and me haha

[@conormartin3331]

Question When filling my mudrunner. It won’t fill up, it just shoots out the end of the angle head. Anyone any suggestions as to what might be wrong?

[@kirkdunn1379]

It's not complicated......been in construction 40 yrs and not as a taper but even I can see the benefits of this tool and would force myself to learn it to save time and labor if I was.....alit of trades people who only do one trade are very difficult when it comes to something "new"....me doing multiple trades I don't have that problem.....mudrunner saves "1 lap" and holds more mud and saves carrying 1 more tool..... Think everyone should learn multiple trades as they are more similar than different I find..... It's a different motion and learning curve but we'll worth it....make you more money and save time....thats huge in construction

[@ohgodpleasedont]

Just picked one up the other day, Using it today. Thanks for the videos

[@fr8trainUS]

I used one of these everyday for 5 years when I worked in a modular home factory. The guy I worked with when I became a subcontractor bought one, and it was defective. Extremely difficult to fill, and it wouldn’t even push water out of it. After communicating with. Tape Tech rep, he said they had a batch go out with defective piston rings, replaced that and it while it was an improvement, it still wasn’t right. I would love to use one, but I am not spending that kind of money for it to not work. My 8" Columbia angle box works just fine.

[@CIKOTILLO]

Own one since 2014, never had an issue ,

[@randyu8688]

My question is.. there's an Ames store here where i live and I'm really leaning towards buying this thing. So do I need the mud runner and an angle head and that's it? Or do i buy a 3 inch angle head and a 4 inch (if there's one) to skim the angles? Please inform me doc. Thank you

[@kidjetrecon7153]

People are just not getting the mud wet enough, biggest problem teaching someone to use patience😂.

[@ronbrown2119]

Bought a new Mudrunner by Tapetech. Found it extremely difficult to twist it to get mud to ooze out. What am I doing wrong or is that the way they are?

[@kidjetrecon7153]

My biggest problem is how slippery without some type of rubber grip, doesn’t come with that and my gloves only help when dry, it’s definitely a learning curve compared to the mud shot, I personally wish this is what I purchased, I run no problem after getting the muscle memory back, handed over to teach my friend and it was a mess.

[@86prime]

Just bought a mudrunner after watching your videos. The problem I'm having is with the angle head. It's new and rough to run. Yours easily slides along the corner. I've seen lots of people say it takes a few houses to break them in, but that's garbage. Would anyone buy a drywall screw gun that didn't properly countersink screws until the third or fourth house you use it on? No way! What can I do to help break in my new angle head? Thanks!

[@kiwibird8441]

86prime did his tip work for you?

[@CIKOTILLO]

When you're buying tools for mudding, you always have to run them in , trowels, putty knifes

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

Most angle heads have two sets of Springs on them if you remove one of the set of Springs they work a lot easier until it gets broken in then you can add the other spring to give it more spring

[@shawnwalters641]

first let me say I really like your videos very detailed and informative. I am not being a dick or trying to criticize your work so please don't take this the wrong way, that shower behind you, that durock should be above the shower head at a minimum unless the tile guy was using kerdi and if that is the case then you could have used sheetrock throughout the enclosure. but no matter how they intended to waterproof that shower there is no place for joint compound in a shower. seams should be taped with alkali-resistant tape and thinset mortar. if you are using a liquid membrane, if you are using a sheet membrane no taping is required. You also can't use drywall screws to put up backer it goes against the usg's installation instructions. Again please don't take any of this the wrong way

[@Dannydrake84]

I don't know if you respond or not but here goes. My bazooka has no suction. I've taken it apart and cleaned throughly but there seems to be alot of air seeping out from somewhere. Any tips?

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

Email me at [e-mail]

[@mikekleven8130]

I'd like to know where this warehouse is 😉

[@tu6tu6]

Have somebody experienced situation, when the piston stucked in upper position?

[@rupertdasilq9760]

This is a really nice video

[@mr.j5283]

hi，i gonna to ask how to tape corner and apply second coat to corner，i have try base coat with paper tape，use flusher，than apply top coat 3inch flusher，but when people sand ，the paper is see，we have sand the 1st coat before apply second coat or not？

[@randyu8688]

Doc?

[@marage124]

I wish this tool was around when i was a Finisher cause I hated the angle box

[@christiancabanero7576]

What grease do you suggest to use

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

I either use a spray silicone or WD-40 not grease

[@christiancabanero7576]

Thank you

[@kurtdvogeljr]

Is regular wd40 ok?

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

Yes

[@josuenahumguevara9179]

Buen vídeo Gracias🤙🤜🤛

[@kurtdvogeljr]

I’ll take a new one from Canada as well 😂

[@akerka3]

Hmm, what is it in the last minute, the blured rectangle? Why for?

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

It was my idiot helper turned out to be a real liar and a thief

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

Thank you if you see anything else like that let me know I'll fix that right away

[@ericswanson706]

Does the silicone cause paint problems later ?

[@ericswanson706]

Thank you

[@BikingWithBailey]

I am having problems when I fill my mudrunner and I take it off the pump it comes right back out of the fill spout. I finished the job but it made a huge mess just carrying it to the corners. I just changed the spring but it is still doing it. I took everything apart and cleaned it really well so there was nothing holding it open. I guess the next thing to change is the plunger in there. Any other suggestions so I don't waste more time than needed troubleshooting?

[@BikingWithBailey]

Okay, thank you

[@kennethwilliams7731]

Hi ,i too have experienced this problem. Ive found that its usually one of two things. First check to make sure one of the four clips on the tool hasnt come unlocked.It happens from time to time from sitting it in or dipping it in a water bucket. Also if the fill valve is not flushed out and cleaned thoroughly ,it can become stuck slightly,just enough in some cases,so as to allow the loose mud to oozze back out while under pressure. I bought a accessory tool,that screws onto the end of a threaded water pistol,that slips right over the nipple on my mudrunner and completely flushes it out perfectly each time.

[@grahamloughridge6443]

Hi doc I've got a problem when filling my mudrunner. When I pump in the mud it comes out of the top nozzle instead of filling the tube. I've got to take off the angle head and cover the nozzle with my hand just so it fills up. Love the tool but this is getting really annoying. Any advice mate?

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

Your not getting a good seal I wish I could see it first hand. I've never had that problem.

[@chadhouse1375]

@@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1 I’m having the same problem with the mud bypassing the tube and coming right out the head and sometimes when I fill it up it blows mud out the bottom vents. Any ideas?

[@chadhouse1375]

@@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1 Could company name. I’m from Minnesota and was the wall doctor but lost everything in divorce 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

Sounds like your seals are bad

[@ronsweeney2248]

Have you tried the Columbia mudshot?

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

I wish

[@propaintdrywall7177]

Q2: I've been running 3" angle head for finishing... do you think it would be beneficial to switch over to a 3.5" angle head?

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

If it works don't fix it mine wore out that's why I got the 3.5.

[@jesse7639]

I use a 4 in very nice

[@garychandler4296]

Wish I could afford one, but I'm a remodeled, so ALL trades. I have a question about using silicone...I'm pretty sure silicone and paint don't get along!

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

You're right but if you read some silicone is paintable after it cures I've seen caulk that can be painted in 30 days

[@garychandler4296]

@@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1 Actually, I need to find some of that to put on the truck.

[@marc-andrecomeau7743]

Do the regular wd-40 will work in the bazooka?

[@marc-andrecomeau7743]

The Drywall Doctor thanks i love your video! I just bought TT bazooka and boxes set and i love them!!!

[@propaintdrywall7177]

really good video! i was oiling except the screw... so i will start doing that now, thanks. If it wasn't for you, I'd still be running angle box... which ain't bad, but obviously the mudrunner is a superior tool. Thanks for making life a little easier. Q: I have some old tapetech boxes and they run great... i was thinking of buying some more, but I've heard they are not making them as good as they used to, maybe they're making them in China now or sumthing. What are your thoughts?

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

They have power boxes that are suppose to be great. I haven't tried them but want to.

[@propaintdrywall7177]

I asked my boy about them, he has a crew working for him and is only in his early 20's but has been very successful as of this year. Here is what he had to say: Power assist, every taper ik that's bought one says trash city bc ends up on the floor or some shit, also, from the look of the springs they take up too much bucket space for my liking.

[@propaintdrywall7177]

He does use a box filler, instead of hand pump. Gives his crew a break inbetween pushing the flat boxes. It's battery powered and uses an aircompressor.

[@agent7agent759]

Any thoughts on the dewalt mudshot? Its around 400$ cheaper here in Canada , and yes doc I am still looking for that warehouse myself too if they have bunch of them sitting there, the only store I found here is csrbuilding.com, you go there trade your kidney for one of those because their are expensive

[@THEDRYWALLDOCTOR1]

I would love to try one being $400 cheaper I would definitely take the chance anything beats that angle box