I looked at the time on the video and said to myself. "I'll never watch an hour of drywall." Then I watched the whole hour. Great stuff!

This thing is fantastic. kzfaq.infoUgkx1McjgiqTNcTjrhvRvJWcrk5bzTeQW-Wn Easy to store in a bag in "screwdriver" position, not heavy but well built, and the location of the button makes it easy to screw or unscrew with one hand in either "gun" or "screwdriver" position. My only real complaint is there isn't a clip anywhere to store another bit, and the bit isn't a combo dual-ended bit either, so the flathead and P1/P0 philips bits we have to carry around invariably get misplaced.Note: Apparently Black + Decker changed this same Li2000 model from "Type 2" to "Type 3". This new "Type 3" appears to be slightly lighter, and the charging plug is now larger, with a little metal piece to keep it snug. I never noticed the "Type 2" version charger plug to not be perfectly snug, so not sure why this change was made - it does make it annoying that our shop now has 8 of these, and the new 3 have different charging plugs :/

I have watched a lot of drywall videos, but teaching James and correcting common mistakes during the process made this video far more educational that all the other videos combined. Well done James and Ben. It would be interesting for you to video James complete another large patch solo and then you narrate the video to polish off the final training session(s).

Like others have said having you teach while an average newbie does what he thinks is right is so much more of a learning experience. Thanks, Ben

This "beginner's" class is really, really helpful. Made the same mistakes many times. Seeing beginner and pro work together to make and fix mistakes brings the whole process into sharp focus. Thanks for taking time to make this video!

Thanks so much for coming over and showing me how to patch that beast, Ben! After a little bit of touch up and a couple coats of paint, you can’t even tell there’s a giant patch! You are a Jedi master!

I taped, and skim coated my bathroom as a first timer! My husband was shocked as all get out and could not believe I did it myself! All because of the this channel. Thank you!!!!

I wish everybody teaching something through a video would take a newbie through like this! So very helpful, thank you.

This is helpful for novices. In all the videos I've seen, people show where to apply mud, what types to use etc. What can't find is how to use the knife, as in how to blend, avoid lift lines, edge lines etc. This is what beginner's and DIY'ers need; knife grip, control, angles, etc. More of this basic instruction would be great.

Probably one of the best videos I've watched, because it shows me that I do tend to fuss way too much trying to make my initial passes look like finish passes. Seeing you leave your initial passes looking rough has been a real eye opener. This also makes me feel more comfortable working with quick set mud on larger patches. I never really thought you could use it to cover such a large area. Also, I never would have imagined you could use those partially cured scrapings to fill in small voids. I would have assumed those wouldn't stick and would be prone to flaking off later.

You’re a great teacher. I hung, taped and finished most of my basement after subscribing to your channel. Turned out great! Thanks for sharing your knowledge in a way that we can understand.

you learn a lot more when someone who is not a pro and your there letting him makes mistake and your correcting the way you do its awesome this for being a great teacher.

Pro tip for using quick set. Buy a flexible silicone Salad mixing bowl. You can mix a decent size batch in them to fill your tray and then just let the leftover harden in the bowl. Once it's dry or stiff, when you squish the sides of the bowl the mud literally Just pops right off in a giant chunk. No mess. No cleaning caked on concrete. Ready for the next batch.

Soooo glad you shot this! Watching James do it makes it so much easier... muscle memory indeed!! And the fingers on the back of the blade & regularly cleaning the blade. Fab!! Its the little things Ben does that makes it so perfect BUT we don't see those things until James ummm... didn't do them and Ben adjusted his technique! TY!! for another wonderful vid! The fireplace is GORGEOUS!!!

This format of video felt far more educational than almost any other I've watched on KZfaq. Thanks for sharing!

And this is what happens to me when I go from watching your videos and relax to actually try and do it. Love it !

All drywall muddling can be summed up in one phrase. It’s not how you put the mud on, it’s how you take it off.

These videos are great. Can’t believe I watched the whole 68 minutes, but it felt like watching a movie, so didn’t want to miss any part!

This was incredibly helpful. It’s one thing to watch you describe what you’re doing when you’re employing perfect technique; quite another to watch you oversee and correct the “every man” in real time. Great stuff.

OH MAN!... REALLY GREAT AND ORIGINAL VID.... I'M IMPRESS. 1. I can relate to the stress of your invitee. He's been great and very couragous to face his difficulties in front of the camera, while having a pro beside. Congrat! 2. Drywall knifes MUST be used ONLY for mud and NEVER for anything else. (I use cheap knives for rough work) 3. Ben, Yeah you Ben... Doing and teaching are 2 different beasts... YOU did a GREAT job in teaching. I can also relate to "teaching" and have the urges to interfere... you managed pretty f**cking well. :) 4. BLADE wise, I would have liked to see the difference with your own blades (Ben) 5. I do LOT'S of patching (professionaly), and with your video and your invitee, I realise how challenging it can be for some people to FEEL the blade. But you've shown that it's doable... some people need more practice, some less, and that's ok. :) VERY interesting inter-trade collaboration. I raise my hat to you. This is something I miss very much, COLLABORATION between trades. Nowdays, most trades work without thinking about the next one. SAD. My conclusion... AWESOM VID. Thank you.

Dude learning was equivalent to me holding the flashlight for dad as a kid

I’m a residential painter so I can relate to the drywall ASMR comment. The sound of the knife sliding on wet mud is very soothing. It’s about equal to a full roller of paint being rolled onto the wall. I could fall asleep to those sounds for sure lol Your videos have helped me with a lot of issues I had on the job so I thank you. Keep up the great work!

"Hi, I'm Johnny Knoxville and today, we're gonna fix a giant patch!"

I love seeing how us carpenters banter so much. Here in the US, I keep seeing fellow apprentices drop out of their apprenticeships because joking around sets them off. Here's two veterans, with one teaching the other his specialty and neither having any issues because ultimately we're a rather humble bunch.

I’m late to the party on this one but this video was a great idea. So many of the things that didn’t go my way after watching your videos to learn how were covered off in great new ways here! Looking forward to my next patch now

All I keep thinking is the floor isn’t fully protected 😳

Best tip I took from this is using the right side of the blade. I've been watching your videos for several months and overworking my tool lines and liftoff. I FINALLY understand how to use the curve of the blade.

G R E A T idea!!!! I understand the whole "unconscious competence" thing...When you're trying to tell people how easy something is and forgetting that you've picked up a millions skills and muscle memory and in this case "mud consistency memory", "knife angle memory", "tell-tale mud markings memory" etc...etc.......and really this is the ONLY way to remember how hard it can be...and therefore what to tell "newbies". Thanks again! :)) You are AWESOME!

Patience with Guys learning Is AN ART FORM . your a Good Guy James you deal with the hard times listening kept going don't worry about Embarrassing times not knowing Things you had A good teacher there GOOD JOB JAMES FEW TECHNIQUES YOU LEARN IT BECOMES MUCH EASIER ..

The difference between someone who knows how to mud and someone who doesn’t... is how they hold their knife. Such a patient teacher👍🏻

what a useful video, this correcting a non-plasterer’s techniques really helps explain what is needed. I have a new stud wall i am going to put in at home and will definitely have a go at plastering it myself having seen this video. Thanks

This kinda makes me think mud work is like riding a bicycle. You can say anything you want to teach em but the only way they'll learn is by hopping on it themselves. Great video.

Love your videos! I’m rebuilding inside my home after hurricane Ian .. insurance has not been helpful to recover! They’ve thrown crumbs so instead of dealing with price gouging contractors I’m attempting it myself.. insulation, ceilings, some walls! Primer, paint , baseboards, 🙏 Florida has different regulations too! Thanks for the basic tips…

I'm a beginner but getting better after watching this guy's channel. I found out that putting mud bags (5-20-45 min etc.) in separate totes and cutting a 8" square on the flat side of the bag in the middle, then have a dollar store kitchen spoon in each tote to get what I need, saves a lot of mess and airborne dust.

Thank goodness you didn't edit out the 'bloopers', it shows you're just a regular guy, which I like! This is the best instructional video series I've seen.

When he was mixing the mud I thought “when I do this I end up with shreds of plastic in the mix” and sure enough... I’ve been having a real battle with drywall repairs. These videos are a god send.

This is the best teaching video I have seen on this subject, thank you both, I wish I saw this before I finished my first drywall patching project

I have the same story he has .. I’m currently finishing my basement , watched a video to learn drywall taping and muddying. 20 videos later I can’t stop watching. Funny story , I have one video on my I pad and one on my phone switch back and forth while working. Couldn’t have done it without your videos. Thank you

Ben, all your video's are very informative and educational, but this format of coaching a 'novice' in real time is even better. It's almost like being there and making those mistakes myself and then getting help with how to avoid or fix the problem. Invaluable time spent was this. An hour of this instruction will save me a lot of frustration and self discouragement in the time to come. Excellent job once again. 👍 ps Love all your bloopers and how you're able to laugh at them I'd likely be cursing and swearing 😂

So ive only drywalled for years, i bought all my finishing tools and and orange bucket… i felt the corners peeling away at the sides i knew what was coming!!!! i got so many carrots even trying too be careful mixing, I’ve since got a stirring stick lol awesome videos ma. You’re teaching me lots!!!

This is by far the best meta I've seen for a tutorial I've seen yet! Greta idea and thanks for all the videos over the years!

Best video I've watched on drywall. I've been reworking a bathroom and have been frustrated to the nth degree. Watching an amateur get guidance from a pro rather than a pro just being a pro is a great learning experience. And thank god he moved his fingers onto the blade.

Going to try the 30 minute quick drying mix. This will be my first time mixing mud. I usually buy the All Purpose buckets, but I don't want to wait so long for it to dry before a second coat. The last time I plastered was years ago. So wish me luck. 😅 I also wanted to comment and break the taboo 666 😈. Yikes!

That's quite an amazing video! I love your videos, but showing a regular guy practicing with a coaching lesson is PRICELESS! I wish there were more videos like so. Keep up the good work Ben !!

Nice patch James,! Ben has more of a racing stripe....super fun video to watch and enjoyed seeing you two collaborate.

I envy James' tenacity. Also thanks for being a teacher and not a prick. I worked for a handyman about a year ago and he would yell at me for not getting this and it would stress me out. lol

This was super helpful! James had the same stumbling blocks I have, and learning how to fix them is so much more educational than watching you do it perfectly, although that's fun, too!

This is a real training video!!! Showing the imperfections and giving great tips. You also have so much patience. I feel like I'm in trade school. Awesome video!

Great video concept, my guy! I had to fix some wall and ceiling damage myself this weekend,and thanks to some of your videos, I ended up impressing myself. I was just like James a few days ago.

"I do take for granted this skill set." Lol. Savage

Genius teaching tool you did. I really needed to see all the things that cause doubt and keeps be really fussy on spot I can comeback too.

I'm an artist and worked in an orthodontic lab, so I'm familiar with stone/plaster. Still I thank goodness every day that I found you Ben. My California patches are actually looking not too bad. Which means they would have looked like absolute hell without your knowledge behind me. Honestly, it really IS an art. I still have to do the roll-on part though. Man oh man drywall finishing is. tough.

Doing my own drywall patches and learned not as easy as some people make it look, definitely takes practice but your videos have taught me a lot. Thanks

Pro tip - add some blue chalk into your compound. Makes it easy to see over primer or white paint.

I find a mellow instructor to be a much better teacher. Just started as a laborer who wants to learn as much as possible. The guy that is showing me the ropes communicates by yelling 100 commands per hour. So I watch videos after work and have found VC's stuff to be relaxing to watch which makes it easier to absorb.

Ben, I laughed and laughed. You are so patient and also a great teacher. Thanks for all the tips. I couldn't have dry walled my laundry room without your expertise. Thanks Brother.

Just mixing the mud and I love it already. 'feathered' that like button! Thanks Ben

Great video! one thing I noticed was the scraping inside the bucket when mixing with a knife. Through my own DIY experience this usually leads to small plastic shavings in the mud (hitch hikers) as ben has called them before. not wanted but obviously not a big deal on a first coat

reminds me of when I learned and it is 20% skill and 80% art to do it. I love doing drywall work (ceilings not so much) but patch work is a zen meditation for me. Plumbing is my downfall, hate it and anything you hate you will not want to do. Slap it on, wipe it off, *walk away * that is the key thing, don't start playing with it otherwise you'll end up making more work. If you take too much off you can always add another coat, if you have too much you can sand / grind it down. The former is easier than the latter which is what you learn after your first sanding job...

Well done James! Ben you’re awesome teacher, very easy to understand, you relate really well. Thanks to your Kickflip videos especially the last one, i’m landing my kickflips super consistently and that translated right into landing Varials. Ive only been skateboarding for 3 months and im 32. Thanks man.

Great video, as usual. It amazes me that most of your videos are generally the same concepts, but I keep watching and still get a lot out them. I used to make the same mistake mixing in plastic buckets. I was cringing at the beginning when I heard that scraping sound; knew exactly what this strings were. I prefer to mix in a mixing bowl with a rubber spatula, then load it on a hawk.

Your friend James is a good sport. I'm like James have to do after watching to learn. And you are a detail man! James will do good the next time when he has to do it himself!!!

Good stuff. Your info has saved me so much time and effort. Drywalled several rooms without your info and it was agony. Now redoing a room, everything except the ceiling (that will be another room) - inside and outside corners, factory and butt joints, patches, pipes, torn face paper, and more. Things that *really* helped: paper tape for almost everything, all purpose mud has very limited purpose, a "corner trowel" is best used to level planks (yep), do inside corners one side at a time (great results), several thin coats and waiting for it to dry, even days, is better than thick coats and massive sanding, 20 minute mud sets too fast for newbies and you chip it out of the bucket (sigh) and I finally understand how to use the hawk and trowels left by my Dad.

Thank you for the tips. Been drywalling as a handyman for 40 years, and I learned some hacks from you that solve some frustrating elements of patching. Get a curved bucket knife to pull material from your bucket.

i really like the way u leave in the little odd mistake or drop. it keeps it real, it happens to everyone all the time, even the best of us, as u can see. great patch work🖒

Wow, that ceiling in the kitchen is holy as all hell. Lots of patchwork to come. Looks like you are running electrical in their. Lol

Brilliant video hey ! So informative and humble considering you weren't even using your own tools. I've always been intimated by these jobs so great to see a pro show it's actually not as easy as I thought . Thanks

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this, thank you!!! It makes my husband nervous as I gear up to take on another project! James, you were great!! Am I the only one that thinks James is a young version of Paul Simon? WONDERFUL Video

Lol... "James is gonna make it look hard in a minute..." Awesome tutorial. I've made some decent drywall patches in my day, but James' issues with drywall finishing are mine as well, and I've personally benefitted from this video.

Appreciate your videos. I learned recently by a contractor to never use the 5 gal buckets from Lowe’s or Home Depot for your drywall mix. These buckets are made to cheaply and the plastic will scrape off into your mix. He said to throw them away or use as wash buckets only. Thank you again for your instructions!

If you’re usually doing small patch jobs and you have a decent arsenal of setting mud bags that stand around partially finished or u used in your basement/ garage/ van- I keep them sealed and organized in those tall, squarish cat litter containers. Free, sturdy, easily resealable, easy to grab a scoop out of and slam shut, the squareness is a more efficient use of space for multiples stacked alongside or on top of one another. The second the kitty litter is empty, it’s ready to be reused for something else, no cleaning required.

I totally agree! I recently found your videos because I’m about to finish drywall in my basement and I wanted a refresher. Though I’ve kept watching your videos because I find them relaxing!! 😂😂 thanks for sharing!

Loved this. I have speed bumps and now I am going to have to go back and make my patch MONOLITHIC

Awesome. This is REALLY well done. Thank you. I’ve done a whole lot of handyman drywall patching over the years but I learned a few things from this video! It definitely takes practice.

Where have you been my whole life???? I decided to try out using a trowel instead of a taping knife.......my god it is so much better. You have so much more control and no fatigue like a tape knife gives you. You Canadians are holding onto a great secret. I wish I had learned this years ago. I just had to skim coat a bathroom walls and ceiling and I can still use my hands and fingers tonight. Thank you for that great tidbit. I will be going to pick up my hawk tomorrow.

James and the Giant Patch

best technique I've seen so far on youtube

I learn a lot from you,it helps me to clean up my technique on my patching. You are correct when you say it takes lots more time to film a job for subscribers

This is one of your best videos ever.

That's a cool cement fireplace.

This was perfect. I’m doing a large patch over my fireplace tomorrow.

A left-handler with tools that are pitted with years of not having the skill… this is totally me,… then Benson feathers it out like magic. I learned a lot…. with incremental angles. All the corrections completely makes sense for me.

I would love to be your apprentice or have a DIY school on this stuff! Educational and informative! Love your content!

Excellent video. It reminds me of being with my friends doing projects together teaching each other about trades we were good at. I watched the whole hour and enjoyed it while learning so much. I felt James’ stress while learning. I’ve been there! LOL. GREAT VIDEO!! BTW … James is right, it is an Art.

Oh the closer you are the less you take off. Best advice. You're my drywall guru. Thank you so much you've helped me semi-master my technique

Damn lucky he has you at the house. That ceiling looks like it needs some serious patch work lol. Great videos man

Ben you are a Super Jedi master. I am originally from the UK where I learned to skimmed plaster on brick walls it took ages to learn - now I live in the US repairing drywall is a whole different skill. The one thing is similar is angle for the knifes - trowel for brick walls and more flexible knifes for drywall. Practice makes perfect and patience I agree don’t be too hard on yourself in the beginning stick at it. The best drywall technique teaching bar none.

Lol we don’t have time to talk here. Your a good teacher Ben. Very patient. James it’s all about finesse. The longer you go at it the more of a mess it will make!

Can he please put his fingers on the blade 😂😂 But for real I really enjoy all your videos and I would be honored if you took the time to show me all your tips in person. Keep it up 5 stars !

FANTASTIC way to present! Thank you guys!

I stopped and then ended up watching the whole thing! - you covered a lot of my challenges - and yes James was using the wrong side ;)

Great idea to show us you teaching someone to do the job. Some times you make it look too easy and it's hard to replicate. This catches a lot of the 'gotchas' along the way.

Patch capitulation. Soooooo satisfying!!!.

This is such a helpful video! So good to see a fellow newbie learning the process. Great job btw! We're thinking about doing work like this ourselves very soon but honestly not looking forward to it as we can tell it's much harder than it looks. James you are sooo lucky Ben lives nearby. We're in Los Angeles and praying for an artist like Ben. Did I mention we really don't want to do this ourselves 😉

If you struggle with mud consistency, a good starting place is to try to get some mud about the consistency of prepackaged cake icing. Then you can add water or mix in small amounts to get it exactly where you want it

I think this is best one of your videos I have watched! You can really see what is going on a whole lot better than the rest of videos!

Great video!! Learned so much. Drywalling definitely has a huge learning curve.

VISUALLY PLEASING, AND PACKED WITH TONS OF HELPFUL AND HIDDEN GEMS... MAGNIFICENTLY BEAUTIFUL AND ASTONISHING CONTENT ALL AROUND! RECOMMEND TO ANYONE THAT’S INTERESTED TO SHARPEN THERE SKILLS AND IMPROVE THERE ART FORM👍🏻

James where was this video when I started out. Damn. I just a bit ago used 5 min in two pan fulls on a shower ceiling repair. Upstairs shower leaked through. I got all the mud on the ceiling no problem. Then as it was firing off I was doing the smoothing. I remember in the beginning I could not figure out how people used 5 min. I would have more in my pan hard as a rock. And now I can slam the stuff on before it hardens in the pan. James like you say. Practice and Mudd control.

Meant as constructive criticism . Little tip run a skimblade vertically and horizontally which wil help keep things level And the less humps the less sanding hense both ways Also a good tip is to damp down after any previous work or sanding If your going over old lathe plater 5 parts water to 1 pva primer this helps slake the thirst of wall after tat if you find your still bubbles or material not adheared to wall you may be over working compound All the best