Nail spotters versus spotting nails

Steve

If it were true, I don't think they would have changed them to a wheeled design. Columbia Spotter

JustMe

I was wondering how people were putting 3 coats on screws with just 2 different sized spotters. I saw earlier in this thread where tapingfool had gone to using a Drywall Master 5.5" specialty box for coat #3.

There's an important topic all to itself. I'll have to see what's already posted on this site about it. Anyone know of any good threads &/or posts on it?

Thanks, Steve. That's interesting. I went back to Columbia's website and couldn't find those newer design nailspotters listed. Maybe they haven't upgraded their site yet?

I wonder if the new design did turn into an actual improvement, or if they improved it worse, as jon said in his youtube video comments that outfits like Goldblatt and Northstar have done with their nailspotters - the video link that was posted previously in this thread by tapingfool.

Speaking of that video: in the comments made below it on youtube's site, jon told an inquirer that the nailspotter he was using was 'a "Best" original design nailspotter'. Is that meaning it's a TapeTech? It's what initially came to mind, based on what jon said after that in his comment. But I'm thinking it may not be TapeTech, based on a comment made by tapingfool on another thread:

"Best" = Custom made by jon?

Anyone know what the handles being used in that video are? I find what's being said in the video somewhat hard to make out at times. Could also be me - damaged my hearing some in past years while often running open trenchers without proper hearing safety equipment - &/or could also be my speakers.

1wallboardsman

Apparently, Columbia doesn't have the knowledge required to make the decision on which is better. After copying Ames design for 27 years, they decide to copy the Premier/Blueline design for awhile.

Considering that the Nailspotter was the first automatic taping tool to successfully enter the market in 1933.. one might suspect that its design was pretty good to have lasted all the way into 2009.

It is the same story with most of the Ames designs, they were right in the first place, for 40 years, no one else could make an automatic taping tool worth a damn, without copying the patented designs. Thank God that patents aren't forever.

P.S. Wheels on nailspotters are for wimps.

jdl

19Riggs88

Just a thought on the new wheel design styles out there.
I have not tried the new wheeled model so this is a guess.

In my current opinion the swivel skid plate models for spotters have way too many advantages that would out way the wheel types.

one is coating screws or nails around door and window frames
another is less to malfunction.

I personnaly don't believe the Tape Tech type spotters could be improved upon.

19Riggs88

The 5.5" certainly does sound nice for 3rd coat.

I personnaly will never use a 3" for the first two coats and only on third.

Even this little difference in head size makes the spotter more top heavy and clumbsy to truely be efficient and fly along the walls.

For first coat the opening is too big and the mud doesn't compress into the screwhole very easy. (ever see how a 10" box has a hard time filling screws just outside the seams recess?)

For 3rd coat I like the 3" but I will have to look into comaparison with a 5.5" because it may nicely leave a thin film over the screws to float mud over the sharp ridge around the screw hole. Kind of like how you want to lightly float mud over the shoulders of the seams recess.

JustMe

By "wimps", are you saying wheels on nailspotters are no good?

I asked in a previous post on this thread what your "best" was in your youtube nailspotter video. Care to enlighten, or do I have to do some more deductive reasoning on my own to try and figure it out, and get it wrong?

JustMe

I haven't used a nailspotter yet, but from what I can visualize based on what you said, sounds like good advice.

I'd be interested, too. Maybe tapingfool would be willing to give some feedback on this.

1wallboardsman

Premier put wheels on nailspotters because some finishers complained that the tool was difficult to pull along the surface of the board. Premier addressed the complaint in an effort to market the wheeled design.

There was little consideration for the removal of functionality, as is normal with most re-designs. The original skid-plate design allows one to maximize skill with the tool, it can be made easier to pull without sacrificing for wheels.

In the video, I am using an Ames design manufactured by Precision. They also make a screw-on/screw-off link for me that enables the nailspotter to be hand-held or attached to extension poles from 2'-4' to 8' - 16'.

All other manufacturers have a fetish for making their handles proprietary so that they can charge you $90 for $30 worth of handle.

Goldblatt put their ignorance on display by going back to an aluminum handle that is 4 feet long.


jdl

JustMe

Thanks for that, jon.

I'm trying to figure out what you're about when it comes to drywall tools. I'm assuming you sell them, from what tapingfool said previously in this thread; you saying in your post "They also make a screw-on/screw-off link for me"; and your videos having addresses on them to a couple of sites - newtapingtools.com and atlanta.newtapingtools.com. But going there gets me into a general area with different category links. Clicking on some of what seems like the most appropriate links doesn't really get me anywhere specific to the tools and such that are in your videos. Am I missing something? Anything(s) to know to navigate to where you're trying to direct a person? Any other links you might be able to provide here to get there?

I did a Google check for Precision nailspotters, and couldn't seem to turn up anything, including from online drywall finishing suppliers. Where might they be found?

The handles that you were using to run the nailspotters in the video - what brand name(s) are they, and could you express their benefits over other handles a bit here? As I said in a previous post, I had a bit of a time trying to make out much of what you were saying in the video - which could also be my hearing &/or speakers.

I can understand where they're coming from. They're following the 'intellectual property as the key to wealth' mindset that's been popular for some years now.

But there's another kind of intellectual property - the position a company and its products holds between the ears of the buyer. A patent on an item that undermines that position is worth less than nothing to me - unless maybe the patent can somehow help to effectively tie up an industry.

1wallboardsman

Well, I was away working and the wife lost the domain name, so all of the YouTube videos have to be re-edited.

The new address - http://NewTapingToolsStore.com

The handle I'm using in that video is the Rankee, who also make for TapeTech, and the X handles that the grocery clerks over at allwall sell.

They are double telescoping, so they can get limber at 8' long. Also, Rankee uses plastic for the connection of handle to nailspotter link. Their link will not accommadate both of the pieces that make up what I call the flex-link of a 3" nailspotter. 2" inch has 1, 3" has 2. Reducing the 3" to 1 to get it one this handle makes a fairly flimsy connection.

Welcome to handle hell.

I prefer a screw-on/screw-off handle that will work walls/ceilings at 2' - 4' and can be quickly changed to a handle as long as 8' - 16'. I have to make them myself.

jdl

JustMe

A thought on the new address: Till you get around to editting your videos, maybe posting your new address in the comments section below them might help direct more people who are watching.

I appreciate the information. I also will often make something that will work for me, if I get too frustrated with what's out there and it's important enough to go through the effort.

Steve

It took longer for me to spot screws by hand today than it took to run flats and angles with my tools. Spotting screws has got to be the least gratifying part of the job. I think I'll break down and get a nail spotter. I suppose a 2" TapeTech would be a good start.

JustMe

How were you thinking would be best to spot screws with just the one size, Steve? Eg. Hand spot with the 1st coat, to deal with any screws and paper sticking out; 2nd coat with spotter and then light sand them along with rough sanding flats 1st time; then 3rd coat with spotter again?

19Riggs88

Many people get caught up in this Idea that it is better to do first coat by hand. I completely disagree. Having the nailspotter in your hand is equal to having a pan of mud and knife in your hand. Plus a nail spotter is easier than shuffling around a pan and knife when pulling or adding screws, etc.

When I spot screws first coat with a 2" spotter I wear a custom little belt I made just for it.

I just bought a tool belt and equiped it with a screwdriver pouch, hammer ring, and utility knife pouch. I just keep my 6" knife in my back pocket just in case.

I simply walk along the wall coating screws and if i come accross a miss I simply tap it in with the back of my knife.
If I come across a ticker my screwdrivers right there like a sixshooter.
If I come across a nail sticking out my hammers at the ready.
If I come across a crack or bad plug I missed while taping my utility knife is at the handy.

Sometimes I will do a walk through on a couple walls or a room and tap in paper ahead of time with a ballpin hammer if there are a lot of misses.

Steve

Actually, I don't have a solid plan yet. I will have to get used to using the 2"spotter before I commit to a 3". I'm already sold on that 5.5"box, I think that is perfect for third coat.

JustMe

Never tried a ball pean for misses yet. I don't know what condition some of the drywall would be like after - sometimes ~6 misses in one small area. Board sometimes harder than in the past (so they say), steel framing that's thinner than in the past (so they say), new boarders, helps cause it.

I was wondering about how a step drill bit might work: http://www.houseoftools.com/product.htm?pid=479181

Not drilling all the way through with it, but just enough to get rid of the paper and such around a hole.

I was wondering how - if at all - a 7" box might be modified to temporarily give a narrower coat, and mimic somewhat what the 5.5" delivers.

Steve

I never tried to modify a box, but I think I recall seeing an adjustable box somewhere.

silverstilts

To me the perfect nail spotter and works the best is what i call mark he does have another full time job but likes the extra income so i just call him to run over , its a no hassle thing . usually done complete all three coats after the rock is installed and before we tape its done.... hate spotting screws did it enough and so times during the first couple of years i had nightmares of doing them.... let the grunt do them , but if i do have to do them i use a 3" blue line and i agree no matter what make of spotter you use its like all tools you have to just get the feel for them and the thickness of the mud ... they are fast no doubt about it ,,, kinda like comparing a bazooka to a banjo ...how many times have we heard i can tape just as fast with a banjo , ya right....

JustMe

I was thinking about asking that question previously. A box that can go 2", 3", 4", etc.? Maybe someone knows of it. Such things usually don't work as well as a specialized item. But in this case, who knows? Maybe well enough.

Anyone see someone hand tape as fast as someone who can operate a banjo decently?

silverstilts

never and impossible...maybe in dreams or la la land