I recently purchased and got an opportunity to use the Telpro Panelift I had inquired about in a thread here a few weeks back and wanted to give you guys my unbiased opinion.
I highly recomend this tool to anyone who even occassionally installs drywall. With a $600 pricetag, it aint chump change, but is worth twice that.
Having never used one before, I was convinced it would take some time to get the hang of it. Well, the very first afternoon I hung eight sheets and completed the ceiling by myself. I honestly don`t believe I could have done it faster had I an extra pair of hands rather than the lift….certyainly not as easily.
Had this not been on my own house, but rather a paying customer, it would have been easy money. I don`t normally take on such jobs because they`ve always been more of a hassle than they`re worth…..but this tool changes all that. Not only will I take them, I won`t have to worry about having someone else on hand.
Seriously, if any of you have considered purchasing one in the past….hesitate no longer!
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
“DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE”
Replies
Amen.
I have rented them several times and swear the next time I am buying. Well, the last time (a few weeks ago) really is the next time. What I am still in awe of is how easy it is to get that sheet precisely, precisely, where you want it.
I used it to put up 16's for the first time, they were actually 15's after I cut them, by myself with no difficulty.
Even for two guys who don't install drywall regularly it's worth it.
Did you try using it for the top sheet on walls, it works great. You can get that sheet nice and tight to the ceiling and not worry about it droping down a 1/4 while your reaching for your hammer.
For those of you who havn't used one, they rent at HD for about $29.00 a day.
I borrowed a lift from a friend of mine, to do my basement ceiling 2,900 S.F. 10' high 5/8" type x by myself. IT'S A LIFESAVER !!
Nice testimonial JAYBIRD.
I also own one, and when I don't have dw job, I rent it out to a couple guys I know and trust to take care of it. So far I have recovered almost half of my purchase price in rental fees.
One caution, if you haven't already learned it. Never release the brake with a board in the air, without haveing a good grip in the lift wheel handle. The wheel can unwind before you can get your hand off of the brake. I nearly broke the thumb learning that lesson.
Dave
Edited 3/18/2004 10:52 am ET by DAVERICHESON
Rent it out, huh? Not a bad idea.
Thanks for the heads up on maintaining control of fly wheel.....it`ll be in the back of my mind from here out.J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Second that opinion,
Do you use a rotozip/router for electric boxes and light cans? I want to try an automatic taper/Ames tool next.$$$!!! Might make taping easy.
Harpo
I had the Rotozip....was great while it lasted...except for depth adjustment knob.....DW dust wreaked havoc with threads and I had to use plyers to loosen and tighten nut....it died, and I replaced it with the Dewalt model...I`m not convinced I won`t have the same problem with this one.
I`ve never used an automatic taper though.J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
We burned up two rotozips also. I also bought a Dewalt. It looks like the switch is sealed against dust. Don't know about the bearings. How do you like the no tool chuck? Unfortunately I got mine without the circle cutter, now I can't find one.
I was looking at the JLC site and they have a "drywall & painting" section. One post was talking about using a "banjo" which I have never used but want to try and they gave some links to auto tapers. You can rent them by the job since they are quite expensive. Let me know if you want the links.
Harpo
I would not waste your money on the banjo type tapers. There are two types; wet tape and dry tape.
I purchased a wet tape banjo back in the 70's. Used it a few jobs, got tired of the mess and cleanup, hung it it the shop, and gave it away a year ago.
With either type you have to thin the mud down just to the correct consistancy. To thick and it won't feed on the tape completely, to thin and you drip more on the floor (or in your face if over head) than you get on the tape and wall, You have to constantly shake the banjo in a nose down position to keep the mud to the fromt tape dispenser port. A fully loaded banjo gets heavey after several hours, and they are a PITA to clean up. In the wet mud variety,any unused tape is ruined, because it is laying in wet mud the whole time you are using it. The dry tape is better in that respect, but you load less mud, and therefor load more often than the other. Both types must be kept pretty full at all time. Neither will auto fold the tape for an inside corner.
IMO they are a waste of $$. Purchase a bazooka type like the Aimes, or one of the knockoffs. Be sure to get the mud pump with the bazooka. Tokk me about 8 hrs to learn to use one correctly, with very little instructions from the Aimes rental rep. That was back when you could only rent them for anywhere from $400 to $600 per month. At fouteen cents a foot above board, you had to hang a finish a lot of board every month ,just to pay the rental. The tools made the jop so much faster that even that was possible, if you were a decent finisher to start with. If you weren't, no tool was going to keep you fully employed.
Dave
Dave,
Thanks for the info. I'll save my pennys for the bazooka. Do you own or still rent? What brand is best,Best value, etc. Any advice on a beginners kits? Next year we are putting up another 17,000sf building. This year I am rehabing HUD houses. :(Harpo
Love the no chuck....that alone may make it better than the Rotozip....my Dewalt came with the circle cutter, although I`m not sure how much use its gonna get....perhaps its one of those features you (meaning I) don`t apreciate until you get the chance to use it.....then you suddenly find hundreds of applications.
I`m not really in the market for an autotaper as I only do a minimal of taping. My younger brother has his own painting business and does the vast majority of my taping. By the time I became proficient at it....he`d have the room sanded and primed..LOL! Thanks anyway.J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
I use a dry tape banjo since I didn't want to spend the $1200.00 an auto taper costs. I do use the auto taper corner tools though. They definitely speed up the process. I like the banjo. It applies the tape and a consistent thickness of compound at once. The mud is thinned down but I have never had it spill out onto the floor (in fact bazooka mud has to be thinner). My banjo is a dry tape style and will consisitently and evenly apply mud to the tape till there is almost no compound left in the tool. Reloading is a snap and it takes about five minutes to clean. I can run a joint and wipe it down faster than a hand taper can put the bed coat of mud on the wall. Plus the thinned mud smoothes better than thicker mud. I even thin it a little for my second coat which is done with a knife and drywall trowel. For $85.00 (some are even cheaper) the banjo is perfect for those who do drywall as part of other projects. I've used it to tape whole houses. It is true it does not precrease the tape into the corner so I press it into the corner with my free hand and the corner tools take care of the rest.
Richie
Now I have to rethink the banjo. What brand do you recomend? Do you use hot mud in it? I will be doing mostly small rehab jobs this year. Next year it is auto tools for sure. What do you think about a plastic banjo? Supposed to be easy to clean.
Harpo
I bought a lift from home depot used from thr rental department. Paid about 200 and its in good shape. Ive got an old roto zip from before they were popular. 10 or 12 years old, doesnt look like the new ones. Cut miles of drywall with it and never even cleaned it and it still runs. Took the base off after the first few days though, it never worked right.