columbia drywall mud pump free sample

What a workhorse this tool is. Built to perform in the toughest environment, our pump smoothly and quickly fills your tools. With a 20 degree angle, the handle acts as a lever and keeps the operator from having to reach as far as other models on the market.

The Columbia Quick Clean Mud Pump fills your favorite automatic tools with compound while reducing work fatigue. This mud pump features a smooth solid leg for easy cleaning, a 20-degree angled handle for enhanced leverage, and an increased gooseneck diameter for faster filling. Use the Gooseneck attachment for filling automatic tapers. Use the standard box filler for Flat Boxes, Corner Finisher Boxes, Nail Spotters.Columbia offers standard and hot-mud pumps. Both are built to air-tight standards, making them the easiest pump to prime. They"re fabricated with an anodized aluminum cylinder, durable stainless-steel shaft, a precision machined cast aluminum head, and a tough, smooth solid aluminum leg. Whether you are using quick-set mud or any other type of joint compound, we have the pump for your bucket.

From inception to final construction, Columbia Taping Tools is a dynamic manufacturer most notable for their in-house fabrication. Based predominantly in North America, Columbia Taping Tools sources solid billet aluminum and stainless-steel components for their entire collection. Their machining process yields tools that are lightweight and capable of withstanding long-term professional use. But it doesn’t stop there! Each design features interchangeable parts for easy repairs or upgrades, further extending the life of your favorite tools.

With a new box, especially if it"s from a manufacturer you"re unfamiliar with, take some time to get to know the box.  Get to know how it runs on different joints, on different settings so that you have some frame of reference to go by. Check the joint you are coating with the edge of a straight knife to see if you have a deep joint, or a high joint. Then check it again after you run it, and see how your box responds with different settings, on different joints, in your job context and with your mud consistency. Your job context and your finishing process will determine what settings you need to get quality results. For example, if you do commercial work with a lot of stand up flat joints, each flat joint since it sits on an individual stud can be significantly different. You might need to run one flat wide open, and another flat on 3.

Most every manufacturer uses some form of "crown dial" system that allows you to adjust mud flow right out of the box. TapeTech®, NorthStar™, Columbia and Drywall Master all use a 1-5 setting crown dial, and leaving it disengaged completely giving you a "0" setting. Not only do flat boxes have a crown dial to make adjustments to the amount of joint compound they apply, but on those flat boxes I mentioned you can also adjust the brass bolts that set the spring tension for the crown dial. This means if your box puts on too much mud on setting 1, but not enough mud on setting 2 you can adjust the tension somewhere in-between setting 1 and setting 2 to get the exact amount that you want. By loosening the nuts on the 2 brass bolts you can increase the amount of tension that the crown dial spring puts on the brass blade holder. By tightening the nuts on the 2 brass bolts you can reduce the amount of tension that the crown dial spring puts on the brass blade holder. You want to be sure when making adjustments to these brass bolts that you adjust them in small increments and that you adjust them equally. You can also adjust the nut on the crown dial itself to adjust the tension.

If your flat box is on 0 with the crown dial not even engaged and it is not applying enough mud, you can add crown to the brass blade holder. Using a towel or gloves to prevent cutting your hand, with the blade facing your palm, starting at the end where the blade meets the skid, slide your palm slowly towards the center of the box applying more pressure as you go. Do this from both ends of the box towards the center, and from the center back out both ways to create an even crown.  Look down the brass blade holder to make sure that you haven"t created bends and kinks in the bar. You may have to loosen the tension of the brass bolts to accommodate your changes.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 060/052,261 entitled “Mud Pump and Drywall Tape and Texture System,” filed Jul. 11, 1997.

Traditionally, in gypsum wallboard or “drywall” panel installation, sheets of drywall are nailed or screwed in place. Seams between the drywall sheets must be taped over, and the nail or screw heads must be coated with paper tape and mastic material to form a continuous wall surface. Tape and mastic material must also be applied to inside corners to form a complete wall system. The task of applying drywall tape and mastic drywall mud is generally laborious, tedious, and messy. Although inventions have made the task easier, improvement is still needed. One currently available drywall taping tool is the pedestrian mud pan and drywall knife.

With a mud pan and drywall knife, a workman manually applies drywall tape and mud. First, the workman removes a scoop of mud from a bulk container in a mud supply area and places it in the mud pan. This action is repeated until the pan is full. The workman then walks from the mud supply area to the seam that he wishes to tape. The workman then scoops a quantity of mud onto the knife, turns the knife blade towards the wall, and with a series of wiping motions, coats the seam with mud more or less uniformly. After precutting the seam, the workman lays paper tape over the seam and presses it into the mud to achieve tape attachment. He then glides the knife over the tape, forcing mud and air out from behind the tape, and begins to smooth the surface. A first coat of mud is applied to the drywall tape either at the time that the tape is applied or later, depending on the workman"s technique.

After a period of drying, another coat of mud is applied to the tape and dressed with a drywall knife, thus covering the seam with a wider coat of mud. The same steps of walking to the mud supply area, scooping out mud until the pan is full, and then walking back to the work area are repeated.

After a second period of drying, most inexperienced workmen sand the seams before applying a final coat of mud. The final coat of mud requires further walking between the mud supply and the work areas and further scooping and filling of the mud pan as before.

To overcome the drawbacks of manual drywall tape application and finishing tools such as the mud pan and drywall knife, a drywall taping system has been developed by Ames Tool Company (Ames), for example, that includes a manual, lever action, fluid mud pump that fills assorted mud applicator tools. A hand lever on the manual pump is pumped up and down to transfer drywall mud out of a bucket directly into a mud applicator tool. The mud is squirted into a slot in some tools and into other tools though a special fitting.

However, this system still requires walking between the mud supply and work areas, thus wasting time and energy. Only about ninety feet of tape can be applied with the Ames taper tool before a mud refilling is required, while each roll of paper tape is about 500 feet. Only about three to four vertical seams, where each seam is about eight feet long, can be filled with the Ames box tools before more mud is required. Thus, a day"s work requires hundreds of trips between the mud supply and work areas for mud refills with the Ames drywall taping system.

Additionally, each of the tools in the Ames system takes some toll upon the user"s energy. The Ames taper tool is powered by the user forcing a wheel to turn as it contacts the wall at the end of the tool. The Ames box tool requires the operator to forcefully wipe a box of mud on an extended handle. Each of the Ames tools mechanically disgorge drywall mud as the result of human labor. Many tasks in drywall taping are thus prone to repetitive stress injury.

Furthermore, Ames tools require both a reservoir that holds one shot of mud and a device to manually exude the mud on each tool. The Ames system is expensive, heavy, and manually actuated.

The stators tube pump is well known to the drywall industry. This pump has a hollow threaded internal rubber sleeve encompassing a threaded rod. As the rod is turned, fluid drywall material is forced to exit the pump. However, the stators pump requires an electric motor or gas engine to operate and is thus expensive to build. The stators pump is also very inefficient due to friction, so a large power source is required. Therefore, fluid material delivery systems using a stators pump for drywall work are expensive.

It is an object of an embodiment of the present invention to provide an improved drywall taping and texture system using a pump, which obviates for practical purposes, the above mentioned limitations.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a drywall taping and texture system for pumping drywall mastic material from a container filled with the drywall mastic material to a work surface includes a pump housing, an air compressor, a tool for applying the drywall mastic material to the work surface, material and control lines, an inflatable bladder, an air release mechanism, and an airway. The pump housing is immersed in the container filled with the drywall mastic material, and the air compressor is connected to the pump housing. The material and control lines are connected between the pump housing and the tool such that there is material and air flow communication, respectively, therebetween. The bladder is mounted within the pump housing between upper and lower valves for controlling the flow of the drywall mastic material. The airway connects the air compressor, the control line, the bladder, and the air release mechanism, such that there is air flow communication therebetween. When the air release mechanism closes, the bladder inflates such that drywall mastic material in the pump housing is pumped through the upper valve, the material line, and the tool to the work surface. When the air release mechanism opens, the bladder deflates such that drywall mastic material in the container is pumped through the lower valve into the pump housing.

In particular embodiments of the present invention, the tool further includes a button for remotely controlling the air release mechanism. In other embodiments of the present invention, each of the upper and lower valves for controlling the flow of the drywall mastic material includes a seat having an orifice through which the drywall mastic material flows and a member for controlling the flow of the drywall mastic material through the orifice. When the member mates with the seat, a seal is formed to block the flow of the drywall mastic material through the orifice. When the member moves in a direction transverse to the seat, flow of the drywall mastic material through the orifice is allowed. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the pump housing further includes a screen mounted at the bottom thereof for filtering particles out of the drywall mastic material.

A set of drywall mud, tape, and texture application and finishing tools may be attached to and used with the drywall taping and texture system. Such tools include: a tape applicator tool and pneumatic tape cutter attachment for applying muddy drywall tape; a wand tool and a corner tool attachment for placing a bead of mud upon a seam; a mud knife tool for dispensing and dressing coats of mud; a metering mud bead tool; a wall texture spray tool; and an acoustic texture spray tool. A set of adapter parts that allow use of the pump with Ames tools may also be attached to and used with the pump.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a drywall taping and texture system for pumping drywall mastic material from a container filled with the drywall mastic material to a work surface includes a pump housing, a tool for applying the drywall mastic material to the work surface, material and control lines, an inflatable bladder, an inflation sensor, and an air compressor. The pump housing is immersed in the container filled with the drywall mastic material. The material and control lines are connected between the pump housing and the tool such that there is material and air flow communication, respectively, therebetween. The bladder is mounted within the pump housing between upper and lower valves for controlling the flow of the drywall mastic material. The inflation sensor is coupled to the bladder for determining when the bladder is inflated and when the bladder is deflated. The air compressor is mounted within the pump housing and connected to the control line and the bladder such that there is flow communication therebetween. When the inflation sensor determines that the bladder is deflated, the air compressor is activated and the bladder inflates such that drywall mastic material in the pump housing is pumped through the upper valve, the material line, and the tool to the work surface. When the inflation sensor determines that the bladder is inflated, the air compressor is deactivated and the bladder deflates such that drywall mastic material in the container flows through the lower valve into the pump housing.

In another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for pumping a fluid includes a housing, an inflatable bladder, and a means for inflating and deflating the bladder. The bladder is mounted within the housing between upper and lower valves for controlling the flow of the fluid. When the bladder is inflated, the fluid in the housing is pumped through the upper valve and out of the apparatus. When the bladder deflates, the fluid is pumped through the lower valve into the housing.

FIG. 3ais a perspective view of the interior parts of the pump shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3bis a partial cross-sectional view of the interior of the pump shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4aand 4 bare partial cross-sectional views of the interior of the pump illustrating the pump in action. FIG. 4ashows the pump during intake of drywall material, and FIG. 4bshows the pump during exhaust of drywall material.

FIG. 5ais a side, cross-sectional view of a pump cap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5bis a top plan view of the pump cap, and FIG. 5cis a perspective view of the pump cap.

FIGS. 9a-9 care views of an electrical version of the pump in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9ais a partial cross-sectional view of the interior of the pump. FIG. 9bis an exploded perspective view of a solenoid module for controlling the electrical version of the pump. FIG. 9cis an exploded, partial cross-sectional view of an inflation sensor for electronically sensing the condition of the bladder.

FIGS. 18a-18 care views of adapter parts that allow use of the pump with Ames Tool Company"s tools in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18ashows perspective and top plan views of an Ames adapter button. FIG. 18bis a perspective view of an Ames adapter gooseneck. FIG. 18cshows perspective and top plan views of an Ames adapter box filler.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the invention is embodied in a drywall taping and texture system and a pump. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the drywall taping and texture system utilizes the pump and various tools connected to the pump for applying drywall tape, as well as mastic or fluid drywall mud and texture, to wall surfaces. However, it will be recognized that the pump may be used in other systems and with other fluids, such as oil, gas, or the like.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drywall taping and texture system using a pump in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The drywall taping and texture system includes a pump 1 immersed in a container of mastic or fluid drywall material 32. The pump 1 is supported in the container by a clip 22. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the pump 1 is formed from a generally cylindrical housing 29. The housing 29 is a solid shell with strength to withstand changes in pressure within the pump 1 and to support various parts of the pump 1. The housing 29 may be manufactured from simple drain pipe, which is cut to an appropriate length and then drilled to hold fasteners, such as screws or the like, that penetrate into various parts of the pump 1. The pump 1 has a cap 10, which is attached to the housing 29 using fasteners, such as screws, nails, bolts, or the like. The pump cap 10 has an air stem fitting 13 for connecting to an air compressor 28. The pump cap 10 also has a material line fitting 26 and a control line fitting 27 for connecting a preferably plastic material line or hose 14 and a preferably plastic control line or hose 15, respectively, to the pump 1. The material line 14 and the control line 15 attach at their respective distal ends through another material line fitting 26 and another control line fitting 27, respectively, to a variety of tools, such as a tape applicator tool 200, a wand tool 300, a mud knife tool 400, a mud bead tool 500, a wall texture spray tool 600, and an acoustic texture spray tool 700. The pump 1 can also be attached to a variety of tools manufactured by Ames Tool Company through adapter parts 800, 801, and 802.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pump 1 has an air gauge 24 and a pressure relief valve 25. The pressure relief valve 25 is one type of air release valve or mechanism for releasing air from the drywall taping and texture system, as will be discussed below. In alternative embodiments, the air gauge 24 and the pressure relief valve 25 may be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 3aand 3 b, the bottom of the pump 1 has an intake orifice 8 covered with a screen 9. The screen 9 is a barrier to particulate matter that might ruin the drywall finish or plug the tool attached to the pump 10. The mesh size of the screen 9 is large enough to allow passage of acoustic ceiling grains, but small enough to stop larger particles. An user may change the screen 9 to screen mud or to spray acoustic. The screen 9 is positioned over the intake orifice 8 so that all drywall material 32 passes through the screen 9 prior to entering the pump 1.

In preferred embodiments, the pump 1 has upper and lower valves for controlling the flow of the drywall material 32. In preferred embodiments, the valves are check valves that create a one-way flow of the drywall material 32 upward through the pump 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3a-4 b, each valve includes a seat 3 or 7 having a orifice 8 through which the drywall material 32 flows and a member 2 or 6 for controlling the flow of the drywall material 32 through the orifice 8. However, in alternative embodiments, the valves may include other components, such as flappers or the like. The lower valve is formed from a lower seat 7 and a lower member or ball 6. The upper valve is formed from an upper seat 3 and an upper member or ball 2.

Referring to FIGS. 3a-4 band 6 a-6 d, the upper and lower seats 3 and 7 are generally shaped as a band or ring and are configured to fit with the upper and lower balls 2 and 6, respectively. The seats 3 and 7 are secured to the housing 29 using fasteners, such as screws, nails, bolts, or the like. Drywall material 32 flows through an orifice 8 at about the center of the seat 3 or 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat 3 or 7 has a raised ring that contacts the ball 2 or 6, respectively, to separate granular elements from the drywall material 32 for proper sealing of the seat 3 or 7 and the ball 2 or 6, respectively. In alternative embodiments, the seat 3 or 7 may have other shapes. In further alternative embodiments, the raised ring may be omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lower seat 7 holds the screen 9. The intake orifice 8 in the lower seat 7 has lateral vents so that the pump 1 will not be closed off by contact with the bottom of the container of drywall material 32.

The upper and lower balls 2 and 6 are generally similar. The ball 2 or 6 is preferably made from a heavyweight material, such as iron, lead, or the like, and is covered with a soft rubber or rubber-like material, such as elastomeric material or the like. The rubber or rubber-like material helps the ball 2 or 6 to seal with the seat 3 or 7 when stopping the backwards flow of the drywall material 32. By way of example, the ball 2 or 6 may be a solid material ball with a rubber coating, a rubber ball with a lead shot filling, or a spring-loaded ball. The ball 2 or 6 plugs the seat 3 or 7, respectively, when the drywall material 32 flows backwards, but does not stick in the orifice 8 of the seat 3 or 7. The upper and lower valves thus create a one-way flow of the drywall material 32 upward through the pump 1.

The pump 1 has a bladder 5 mounted within the housing 29 between the upper and lower valves. Referring to FIGS. 3a-4 band 7, the bladder 5 is made from a resilient, rubber or rubber-like material, such as elastomeric material or the like, and has a diameter smaller than the diameter of a material chamber 4 of the pump 1. When inflated, the bladder 5 could be larger than the material chamber 4, but is restrained by the cylinder body pump housing 29. The pump housing 29 allows drywall material 32 to flow around the bladder 5, but restrains the bladder 5 when it reaches the maximum allowable size of the interior of the housing 29. The rubber-like material of the bladder 5 has a plastic memory and will resiliently seek to return to its “normal size” (uninflated).

Each tool has a control mechanism, such as a button, that allows the user to remotely control the pump 1, via the control line 15. In particular, the user utilizes the mechanism to deliver drywall material 32 to the work surface as needed and to control an air release valve or mechanism directly connected to the tool or remotely located on the pump 1. FIGS. 8a-8 eillustrate several types of such air release mechanisms.

Referring to FIGS. 8cthrough 8 e, the air release mechanism includes a hollow axle 60 with a radial hole 61 and a wheel 62 with a radial hole 63. As the wheel 62 is rolled along the work surface, the wheel 62 rotates around the axle 60. When the radial hole 61 in the axle 60 is aligned with the radial hole 63 in the wheel 62, the air release mechanism temporarily opens and air is released through the radial hole 63 in the wheel 62. Otherwise, when the radial hole 61 in the axle 60 is not aligned with the radial hole 63 in the wheel 62, the air release mechanism is closed. This type of air release mechanism is also directly connected to the tool. On such a tool, drywall material 32 flows to the work surface through another radial hole 64 in the axle 60 and one or more radial holes 65 in the wheel 62. When the radial hole 64 in the axle 60 is aligned with one of the radial holes 65 in the wheel 62, drywall material 32 flows out of the tool and onto the work surface.

Referring to FIGS. 4aand 4 b, when the pump 1 is placed in the container filled with mastic or fluid drywall material 32, drywall material 32 wants to flow into the pump 1 due to gravity. The lower ball 6 is lifted out of the lower seat 7 due to greater pressure outside the pump 1 and lower pressure inside the pump 1. Resistance to the flow of the drywall material 32 from the container into the pump 1 is minor because the lower valve resists flow in the opposite direction. Once the pump 1 is filled with drywall material 32, the bladder 5 is inflated, resulting in positive pressure within the pump 1. This pressure closes the lower valve and also lifts the upper ball 2 out of the upper seat 3, thus forcing drywall material 32 through the material line 14 and the attached tool, and onto the work surface.

Each tool has a button for remotely controlling the pump 1 via the control line 15. When the user presses the button, the release of air at the tool or at the pump 1 is stopped. Pressure builds up in the control line 15 and causes the bladder 5 to inflate, thus forcing drywall material 32 through the upper valve and out of the pump 1, through the material line 14 and the tool, and onto the work surface. After a surge of a certain volume of drywall material 32, the user reduces the air pressure by releasing air at the tool or at the pump 1. The bladder 5 quickly deflates and reduces the volume of the bladder within the pump 1. The resulting partial vacuum formed by the shrinking bladder 5 refills the material chamber 4 of the pump 1 with drywall material 32 through the lower valve. Subsequent inflation of the bladder 5 forces drywall material 32 through the upper valve because space within the material chamber 4 is reduced as the bladder 5 inflates. A surge of drywall material 32 is thus created, which flows out of the pump 1, through the material hose 14 and attached tool, and onto the work surface. When a more continuous flow of drywall material 32 is needed, the user simply needs to continuously hold down the remote control button on the tool, which causes the pressure within the bladder 5 to rise to a preset maximum level.

FIGS. 9a-9 cillustrate an electrical version of the pump 1 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The air compressor 28 is mounted within the pump housing 29 and is connected to the bladder 5. An inflation sensor, which includes a magnet 41 attached to the bladder 5 and a reed switch 42 attached to the housing 29, determines the inflation state of the bladder 5. When the inflation sensor determines that the bladder 5 is deflated, the air compressor 28 is turned on to inflate the bladder 5. When the inflation sensor determines that the bladder 5 is inflated, the air compressor 28 is turned off. The air compressor 28 may be pneumatically controlled with a solenoid module 40 or electrically controlled.

As shown in FIG. 9a, the pump 1 has a secondary exhaust valve at a material exhaust orifice 16, which is connected to the material line fitting 26 and the material line 14. The secondary exhaust valve includes a secondary check ball 19, seat 20, and chamber 21, which support the material line fitting 26. This secondary valve is optional and is only required for some fluid materials.

The set of tools that may be used with the pump 1 includes drywall mud, tape, and texture application and finishing devices. Each tool connects to the material line 14 and the control line 15. Referring to FIGS. 19a-19 e, an universal tool fitting part 900 is provided for use with the tools. This part 900 allows for convenient mass production of the drywall taping and texture system. The universal fitting part 900 is preferably made using an injection molding process. The universal fitting part 900 forms the handle, the material line fitting 901, the control line fitting 902, and the control button 903 on the wand tool 300, the mud knife tool 400, the mud bead tool 500, the wall texture spray tool 600, and the acoustic texture spray tool 700.

As shown in FIGS. 10aand 10 b, the tape applicator tool 200 is used to hold, cut, and apply drywall tape and mud. The tool 200 connects to the material line 14 and control line 15 via fittings 201 and 202. The tape applicator tool 200 has a cavity that holds a supply of drywall tape 206 and an area to advance and cut off the tape 204. The tool 200 also has a material line that feeds the drywall material 32 into a wetting chamber as it flows out of the tool 200 onto the work surface. The tool 200 further has a base plate 203 to enclose the tool and a set of tape rollers 207. The tape applicator tool 200 may have a metering wheel to retrieve drywall material 32 from the pump 1 according to the distance that the tool 200 is moved along the work surface. As illustrated in FIGS. 11athrough 11 c, a pneumatic tape cutter 220 may also be added to the tape applicator tool 200 for cutting the drywall tape 206.

Referring to FIGS. 12aand 12 b, the wand tool 300 is used to apply drywall mud to seams. The tool 300 is a hollow, elongated tool with threads 301 on the distal end, material and control line fittings 307 and 308, and a control button 306. When the user covers an air release hole on the button 306, the bladder 5 in the pump 1 inflates and forces drywall material 32 out of the pump 1, through the material line 14 and the tool 300, and onto the work surface. Referring to FIG. 13, a corner tool 320 may be attached to the threaded end 301 of the wand tool 300 via a threaded end 311 of the corner tool 320. The corner tool 320 delivers drywall material 32 into corners through a hole 310. The corner-shaped blades 309 finish the corners as the tool 320 is slid back and forth over the corner seam.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 14b, the mud knife tool 400 is used for dispensing and dressing coats of mud. The tool 400 consists of a broad knife blade 401 and a smaller knife blade 402 mounted next to the broad knife blade 401. The tool also has a handle 404, material and control line fittings 406 and 407, and a control button 405. When the user covers an air release hole on the button 405, the bladder 5 inflates and forces drywall material 32 out of the pump 1, through the material line 14, and to the mud knife tool 400, where the mud valve 403 is activated when the blades 402 and 401 are flexed against the work surface.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15aand 15 b, the mud bead tool 500 is used to measure a distance rolled and to apply a bead of mud for other tools. The tool 500 consists of an elongated hollow body 506, material and control line fittings 501 and 502, a control button 507, and a wheel 503 on the distal end of the tool 500 that is rolled upon the work surface. As the wheel 503 is rolled upon the work surface and the control button 507 is depressed, drywall material 32 flows out of the distal end of the mud bead tool 500. When a radial hole in the wheel 503 is momentarily aligned with a radial hole in a hollow axle 504, air is released, causing the bladder to deflate and drywall material 32 to flow into the pump 1 from the container. The resulting effect is periods of pressurization and quick periods of depressurization. A tape roll holder 506 that supports a roll of drywall tape 206 may be attached to the mud bead tool 500 to form a tape applicator tool. A pneumatic cutter 320 may also be attached to the mud bead tool 500.

In addition to the tools described above, the pump 1 may be used with tools manufactured by the Ames Tool Company. A set of three parts is required to convert the pump 1 to this use. The control line 15 is replaced with an adapter button 800, and the material line 14 is replaced with an adapter gooseneck 801 and an adapter box filler part 802. These parts make the drywall taping and texture system backwards compatible with the Ames Tool Company"s tools.

Last time you visited the local hardware store or big box home improvement store looking for drywall mud you may have been puzzled by the variety. Do all joint compounds work the same or should you use a certain type of mud for certain applications? Let"s discuss the two basic categories of mud and then we can break down the choices within these two categories. This article is not meant as a review of any brand or recommendation of a certain product line, rather this is a general discussion that applies to many different brands of drywall compound.

Quick-setting drywall mud comes in powdered form usually in plastic lined paper bags. The plastic lining keeps moisture out and preserves freshness. Keeping the powdered mud dry is critical. When water comes in contact with hot mud it begins an irreversible chemical reaction that causes the mud to harden. Once quickset mud hardens you cannot reuse it. If a bag of hot mud contains even a few small parts of hardened mud, it can render the entire bag unusable. Hardened lumps of hot mud cause scratches in drywall seams and make it very difficult to create truly smooth finishes.

When it comes to hot-mud, there is a difference between hardening and drying. Hot mud hardens by means of a chemical reaction. Manufacturers mix different amounts of hardening agents into the material causing it to set up at different times. Hot mud is packaged according to the time it takes to harden. For example, quick-setting drywall mud is sold in packages labeled 5-minute, 20-minute, 45-minute, 90-minute or higher. This refers to the length of time it takes from when the powder comes in contact with water to when it hardens and can be recoated.

Actual working time is generally less than the time listed. For example, 45-minute hot mud may begin to set up in 30-35 minutes. The working time can vary slightly depending on a few factors. High humidity or cooler temperatures causes hot mud to take longer to set. Hot dry conditions can cause 5-minute mud to set before you even get a chance to spread it on your patch. If you need quick-setting drywall powder to set up faster than normal, using hot water when mixing will usually do the trick.

The other main category of drywall mud is pre-mixed drywall mud. It is what most people think of when referring to drywall mud. Pre-mixed drywall mud is sold in either 4.5 gallon buckets or in boxes/cartons containing a plastic bag of mud. Most often, the boxes of mud are also 4.5 gallons in volume but occasionally you will find 3.5 gallon boxes. Therefore, if you see a box of drywall mud that seems cheeper than most, make sure to check the volume. Pre-mixed drywall mud is, as the name indicates, pre-mixed and ready to use.

Pre-mixed drywall mud is almost always thinned with water before using. The amount of water used depends on how the mud will be applied. For example, bedding in tape requires a thinner than normal consistency. A thin consistency is also needed when using automatic taping tools to allow a smooth flow of mud through the drywall mud pump. However, if it is too thin, it will be difficult to spread and will shrink back, creating voids. Texture mud is the thinnest of all. It takes time and training to understand what consistency of mud should be used with each application.

When shopping for drywall mud you may notice different types of pre-mixed mud. The three most commonly used are "all purpose", "lightweight all purpose" and "topping". There are of course several other types of joint compound available however these are the most common.

All purpose drywall mud, as the name indicates, is made for all applications. All purpose mud has bonding agents that increase the holding power of drywall tape so it is good for bedding in seams. It is sometimes used to first coat seams and corner beads. It is not often used as a finish coat because it is more difficult to sand than "lightweight all purpose" joint compounds. However some professionals will use it in limited applications for finish coat because it creates a durable finish. The downside is that it is harder to sand and therefore, the finishing has to be of very good quality.

Lightweight all purpose drywall mud, as the name indicates, is made for all applications yet is lighter in weight than all purpose mud. Many pros believe that lightweight joint compound contains less binding agents and therefore is inferior when taping seams. However, it is hard to know for sure since manufacturers don"t openly publish comprehensive lists of drywall mud ingredients. Lightweight compound is often used for first and second coat of seams and corner bead. It is almost always used as a finish coat because of its ease of sanding.

Topping compound is used less often then all purpose or lightweight mud. It can be used to top coat seams and corner bead. It is not recommended for taping joints. The color of topping is whiter than all purpose and even whiter than lightweight all purpose. It is many times used for texture applications.

We keep up-to-date with the latest trends in drywall taping and finishing tools allowing us to complete jobs in record time. this gives us an upper hand to our competition. the Columbia taper and finish boxes applys the perfect amount of mud for you. allowing us to be consistent in providing a professional finish every time.

Cleaning a Drywall Mud Pump doesn"t get any easier than this! Columbia Hot Mud Pumps have stainless quick-release clamps on the head that allow for easy removal of the pump tube. The "Hot Mud" designation is from the ease of clean up - making it possible to run hot mud or fast set compounds

There"s something different about the Columbia Pump - The handle is bent! It"s designed that way - the 20 degree bend in the handle doubles the leverage of conventional straight handles. More leverage equates to less back strain, easier pumping, easier priming, and faster job completion. Even the connection to handle is better - Columbia"s billet aluminum handle link won"t crack or degrade like the competition"s cast aluminum parts. You can also get a comfortable grip with the padded handle and smooth billet ball end. It"s time that you get a handle on your pump!

Columbia Hot Mud Pumps are built to exacting air-tight standards making them the easiest to pump and prime. Fabricated with an anodized aluminum cylinder, durable stainless steel shaft, a precision machined cast aluminum head, and a tough, smooth solid aluminum leg (All sourced from USA materials - backed by a 5 year Columbia Warranty). Whether you are using quick-set mud or any other type of joint compound, Columbia has the pump for your bucket. Stainless Steel Box Filler and Gooseneck sold separately.Columbia Hot Mud Pump Features:

What"s equally as important as your automatic taping and finishing tools? You need a reliable mud pump. The drywall compound pump, or mud pump, is necessary to quickly fill your automatic tools such as a flat box or automatic taping tool, and keep the job moving with minimal delay. Without a reliable pump, you’ll be spending more time fiddling with a pump that is difficult to clean, or worse, resorting to hand-filling your tools, which is time consuming, and counter productive.

No pump = no tools, so you need a workhorse that will withstand a lot, and get through your workday, every time. TheLevel5 Drywall Compound Pumpis constructed of billet aluminum, making it much stronger, and more durable than your typical cast aluminum construction.

Another important quality is resistance to corrosion. Tools built of poor quality and materials are prone to rust and corrosion. The anodization on the Level5 Drywall compound pump makes it highly resistant to corrosion, as well as wear and tear!

A good seal is important too! Typically for compound pumps, a rubber seal is used, but the problem with rubber is that it will slowly deteriorate, and before you know it, you’re leaking all over the place. The Level5 Drywall Compound Pump uses a composite urethane cup seal, which provides much longer wear life vs. the traditional rubber seals.

Working with mud can be messy, and when you’re on the job, it"s important to be able to easily clean and maintain your compound pump. You should not be spending any extra time fiddling with small screws or components to clean your pump, or to switch valves.

That’s why the Level5 Compound pump has easy clean features, like grenade pins and easy-release latches on its tube and handle. It also comes with a wrench, and a built-in wrench mount so that you are always prepared to switch from gooseneck to box-filler valve, or make a quick adjustment with ease.

Theoretically, yes you can, but it"s a slow process, and at which point you may be better off hand finishing, as you will impede the speed of the work. The combination of your automatic tools and your mud pump will pay for itself fairly quickly by the speed and quality job that you can achieve.

We think the Level5 Drywall Compound Pump is the best drywall mud pump on the market, and truly the underestimated workhorse in the arsenal of any professional drywall finisher. LEVEL5’s drywall compound pump has been made to meet finisher’s demand for reliability, affordability and workability. This beast of a taping tool is built to withstand years of heavy use. In fact, the Level5 compound pump has been tested for over 250,000 cycles without the need or repair, or replacement parts.

If you’re interested in purchasing a compound pump, you can find more information here. And as always, feel free to email, or give us a call and we’d be happy to provide more information!

"Hi! The Drywall Guy did a great job at an affordable price. He repaired the plaster (not drywall) on a wall, along the edge of a ceiling, and a section of the ceiling which had been damaged by water. The ceiling also had that texturing which he was able to match surprisingly well. Then he painted everything including the closet. The room looks so much better now. I had been putting off getting the work done but I"m glad I finally went ahead and did it. I would recommend them and I would use them again."