Drywall question...here or OT lounge?

Score it with a razor knife instead of cutting it with a saw.

Box knife, should get a clean cut

quote:

---

Does that keep it from cracking there too?

---

Nah, just get better at patching it. Channel your inner Messican.

The screws should be counter sunk. Not so far that the paper tears but enough to fill mud on top. Then just sand down after it dries.

Cracking the gypsym is the goal when "cutting" rock.

You score the paper on the front where you want it cut and then slap the back of the piece with your hand making the gypsym pop along the cut then you use your blade to cut the backing paper before you pop it back forward.

Then us use one of these:



to run down the cut edge to smooth any irregularities.

Rock pops when good and fresh
Old rock bends and breaks unevenly do to absorbed moisture.



As far as making sure the integrety of the underlying rock is disturbed when screwing it in place, you need to do a few things. Your screw gun (if you have one) is designed to pull the bit out of the head of the screw when it gets deep enough for the rock to hit the gaurd. It also leaves the appropriate size divit so the mud will stick later. The correct depth is just deep enough so the head of the screw is indented but not breaking the surface of the paper.

also you want to try to keep the screws at least 1/2" from the edge of the rock


If you do not have a screw gun you will need to buy a special drywall driver bit that will do the same thing. It will not leave a good divet though so you will need to divet over tthe screws with a tap by a drywall hammer, which has a rounded striking face for such a purpose.



and

quote:

---

Score it with a razor knife instead of cutting it with a saw.

---

working with and installing sheetrock is easy.. Mud-work is a pain.

I do all my rock work but sub out the mud work like right now I need a room done and am waiting on my guy so I can paint.

quote:

---

I sure hope a NASA ISS guy can figure that stuff out. If not, we're in some serious trouble, boom

---

Wow. Really? What does command and control of a spacecraft have to do with someone asking questions about installing sheetrock?

What's wrong with asking questions before you start on a job you've never done before? Where I come from..that's what you're supposed to do rather than waste time and money.

Whatever man.

Thanks everyone for the help.

and Bleeding..I can honestly understand about that worse customer. I actually don't do much carpentry type stuff. That was my dad's job (may he RIP). I just helped. I was always the electrician/wire/code guy. He was the piping/structural (non-moving) guy. We split the mechanical responsibilities.

I picked up quite a few things in learning from him...but we never did sheetrock. So it's a learning curve I have to progress on my own.

That's why I'm here asking questions. Seems like some folks just know this stuff already...I don't, but I don't want to strike off on a bad note...and waste my time/money..but it's a small job so I don't want to hire it out. And no, it's not a money thing...more like finding a carpenter willing to take a small job (and me actually trusting the guy...been screwed over here in N. Bama..I learn quick).

quote:

---

also you want to try to keep the screws at least 1/2" from the edge of the rock

---

Ah ha. A jewel of information. That's the magic thing I was looking for. How much difference do I split the stud with the other sheet and how far back do I keep it to prevent it from cracking at the edge.

quote:

---

Bleeding purple

---

Thanks for all the knowledge and help.

And yes..I do have a desire to learn.

In fact..this NASA gig is getting boring for me...and that's one reason I'm looking for something else...LOL.