Standing in your nearly-finished basement, every wall has been framed out. All of the plumbing, electrical, and data wiring installed. You can almost see a finished room before your very eyes. The next step toward that brilliant light is the installation of drywall – and you’ll reach it seamlessly with the help of the Makita Cordless Drywall Cutout Tool and Makita Cordless Drywall Screwdriver.
Makita’s Cordless Drywall Cutout Tool makes for fast, accurate, and lightweight drywall cutting. Its battery protection system provides temperature and current protection for enhanced performance, its soft start feature gradually increases speed to eliminate start-up shock, and its ergonomic soft rubber grip is designed for vibration-absorption and comfortable operation. Its perfect companion for drywalling jobs is the Makita Cordless Drywall Screwdriver – with innovative push-drive technology and ultra-high-efficiency performance. Let’s take a look at some steps for cutting and installing your drywall!
Plan
The first step is to obtain a layout of the room you’ll be drywalling. Make a point of marking spots where your electrical boxes, light switches, and (if drywalling the ceiling) lighting fixtures are. When you’re drywalling, your goal should be to use as many full sheets of drywall as possible, as fewer sheets means less taping and mudding once you’re finished.
Measure & Cut Cut-Outs
Taking your first full sheet, place it horizontally next to the wall where it will be installed. If there are areas that need to be cut out for plugs or switches, now’s the time for your Makita Cordless Drywall Cutout Tool to shine. Find the component you want to make a cut-out for and measure out from the nearest wall (or sheet of drywall) and up from the floor to where the component is. Transfer these measurements to the working board and, using a template, mark out the size and shape of the component you’re cutting out for. Adjust the collar of the drill so that you aren’t cutting any deeper than needed to avoid hitting anything on the other side. Turn on your Makita Cordless Drywall Cutout Tool and plunge it into the centre of your marked-off area. This will ensure that if the drill bites, your drywall isn’t ruined. Work your way to one of the edges and begin to follow your marked lines all the way around. There we are – your first cut-out is done!
Cut Full Sheets
If you’re cutting the full length of a piece for the ceiling or a wall, be sure to cut the drywall before you put it up. Take your measurement and transfer it to at least two spots on the working sheet of drywall. Then, using a t-square (to be sure that your cuts keep the board square) mark from both inside edges inwards, meeting in the middle. You can now take your Makita Cordless Drywall Cutout Tool and zip along your straight line. Another board ready to go up!
Install
Align your drywall so that it has 3mm of space along all sides, being sure that it’s level. This will help prevent any buckling from seasonal swelling. Now you can grab your Makita Cordless Drywall Screwdriver which has a special collar that can be adjusted so your drywall screws don’t dig in too deep or tear through the drywall. Starting along the top and working your way down, sink screws spaced 40.5cm apart on the studs – or if you’re placing the drywall on the ceiling, space the screws every 30.5cm. There you have it! Your first piece of drywall installed!
Cut Overhangs & Windows
Lastly, if there are any overhangs, windows, or cutouts you missed you can take care of them now with your Makita Cordless Drywall Cutout Tool. Simply move the collar back so that enough of the bit is out to go just through the drywall, ensuring you don’t hit any blocking or wires, and plunge it in your marked-out spot. Follow your lines to pop the piece out, and if the piece isn’t coming easily you can use the tool to cut a small circle to stick your finger into, pulling it out. When cutting off edges, simply leave extra length on the drill bit to rest on the stud being cut against to ensure a straight, even line.
Continue these steps for the rest of your walls and ceiling, and before you know it, it’ll be time to mud, sand and paint! Happy drywalling!