Hyde Job Guides

How to Run Drywall Tape from a Belt Dispenser

A belt dispenser holds a roll of paper or fiberglass drywall tape within one-handed reach. It carries the tape only, so compound, the knife and your hands still make the joint.

What you need

• Model 09090Drywall Tape Dispenser $20.84 each$14.17 each at 100 or more

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• Model 02870Black & Silver® 6” Flexible HH Putty Knife/Scraper $15.37 each$10.45 each at 100 or more

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• Model 09012Stainless Steel Mud Pan, 12” $37.51 each$25.51 each at 100 or more

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• Model 09062Self-Adhesive Fiberglass Joint Tape, 2” x 50' Roll $3.01 each$2.05 each at 100 or more

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• Model 09004Self-Adhesive Fiberglass Joint Tape, 2” x 150' Roll $4.62 each$3.14 each at 100 or more

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• Model 09065Self-Adhesive Fiberglass Joint Tape, 2” x 300' Roll $7.47 each$5.08 each at 100 or more

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• paper drywall tape for flat joints and inside corners
• self-adhesive fiberglass mesh for flat repairs
• joint compound
• work belt and drop cloth

Steps

1. Make the joint ready first. Boards must be fixed and flat, screws set, gaps filled, and old loose tape and compound removed.
2. Check the roll. Trim crushed or wet edges and reject mesh with a dusty adhesive face. Rolls up to 2-1/4" wide and 500' long fit.
3. Load the dispenser at a bench. Thread a squared leader through the slot, keeping the tape flat and untwisted.
4. Hang it on the belt opposite your knife hand. Draw a few feet over a drop cloth to test feed and tear.
5. For paper on flat joints, bed the joint with compound first. Pull and tear a length and press it centered into the wet bed.
6. Embed the paper with the joint knife, wiping from the middle toward the ends and leaving a thin continuous bed under it.
7. For inside corners, tear a separate length, crease it on the factory crease, then bed and embed it with the corner tool.
8. For mesh on dry, clean, stable board, press the start, run it along the seam, tear and seat it. Force compound through the weave.

Tips

• Bed and tape one run at a time. Do not butter several seams and come back with paper.
• Do not switch between paper and mesh mid-run. They use different first coats.
• Leave one clean leader presented after each tear.
• If a full roll drags the belt or your gait, use a shorter roll.

Watch out

Questions about the right tool for your job? Email cs@hydestore.com or call 508-916-6442.