Replies

1. 
   triplenet | Mar 15, 2005 04:29am | #1

   Call your eq. rental stores. They should have a drywall lift for about $25/ day. It makes it much easier, but still not fun!

   Bob

2. 
   AlanYoung | Mar 15, 2005 04:30am | #2

   Go to Home Depot or other rental center and rent a Panellift Drywall lift.

   http://www.telproinc.com/panellift138-2.html

   
3. 
   DANL | Mar 15, 2005 04:40am | #3

   I agree with the others who said get a drywall lift--the drywall supplier can usually rent you one. Once you've used one you'll never go back to deadmen and such. Also, get one of the attachments for your drill (screwdriver) that releases when the screw is just dimpling the drywall paper. The bit is magnetic, so it holds the screw, and then a clutch mechanism ratchets when the screw is the right dept so you don't put them in too deep.

1. 
   MarkRD | Mar 15, 2005 03:14pm | #5

   Actually there is a cool screw driver drill bit that relases the screw at the proper depth - no need to set your drill tension...http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=44770&cat=1,180,42240Mark

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

1. 
   DANL | Mar 16, 2005 02:33am | #9

   <<Actually there is a cool screw driver drill bit that relases the screw at the proper depth....>>

   That's what I was trying to say--apparently none too successfully! ;-)

1. 
   nikkiwood | Mar 16, 2005 04:45am | #10

   That's right, and as I recall, it costs about 2 bucks. Kind of like an insert bit for your drill/driver.

4. 
   MarkRD | Mar 15, 2005 03:12pm | #4

   Hire a drywall person. This isn't about your abilities at all. It's a S**ty job. Pain in the neck (literally). The sputtering, and misery are not worth the few bucks you'll save. And there is the long term impact - every time you look at the ceiling and see a gap you left or a ripple or a mis-taped joint etc...you'll blame yourself.

   Mark

   Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.

5. 
   nikkiwood | Mar 15, 2005 04:38pm | #6

   The panel lift is the cat's meow. Once I used one, I never hung a ceiling again with it -- unless the room was just too small (like a bathroom).

   Do your sell a favor, and get a drywall gun.

6. 
   tcalisto | Mar 15, 2005 04:54pm | #7

   Listen to Mark, I am currently kicking myself. The drywall guys work at amazing speeds and it is money well spent. I generally like to do everything myself, pride of accomplishment and all that but drywall isn't that much fun. I am not saying that it is difficult work beyond the average homeowner. It just takes time which I do not have. I would much rather be building furniture or tools.

   Tom

7. 
   AlanMikkelsen | Mar 15, 2005 05:49pm | #8

   Like others have said, rent a lift and if the job is very big, get a drywall driver.  I have a Makita and a Milwaukee, I favor the Makita.  This isn't rocket science and really isn't that bad of a job with a lift.  My 30 year old daughter, mother of three, has hung a lot of her own drywall (she is in good shape!).

   Alan & Lynette Mikkelsen, Mountain View Farm, est. 1934,  Gardens & Fine Woodworking, St. Ignatius, MT

8. 
   JeffHeath | Mar 16, 2005 08:43am | #11

   Manimal

   I'm a do it yourselfer big time.  I built my last 3 houses, I do my own concrete, electric, plumbing, etc...  There are 2 things I don't do.  Drywall, and insulation.  It's so cheap to get it done that it doesn't pay.  I pay my drywallers $6 a sheet.  They did a 3800 square foot house in a day and a half.  4 more days to ready for primer.  It would have taken me, my son, and a couple of helpers at least a week just to hang it.

   Just my .02.

   Jeff

1. 
   kenwerner | Mar 16, 2005 09:36pm | #12

   I have to agree with the guys who say hire it out.

   I did my shop with a panel lift and a screwgun, and it still was hard on my neck and back, and the taping was worse. BTW, I'm 51, so depending on your youthfulness...

   in any case though, the pros do it quick well and cheap. How can an amateur compete with that? I'll still insulate, but sheetrock - no mo.

   KenKen Werner

   Hamilton, NY