How to Do it With Marshalltown Tools

Drywall Tips and Techniques
Taping

Use a 4" Joint Knife or an 8" Flexible Taping Knife, spread (butter) a generous amount of compound along the joint so that it fills the crack and covers about 3" on each side. Fill only about 15 to 20 feet of the joint because the compound dries quickly.
	While the compound is still wet, lay perforated paper tape over the center of the joint. Use your Joint Knife to gently press the tape into the compound until it stays.
Then using firm pressure and holding the Taping Knife at about a 45 degree angle to the surface, wipe the joint so that the tape is firmly embedded and forces excess compound out at the edges. When the joint is dry, apply an additional layer of plaster with a curved drywall trowel to dress the joint.
	The finish coat should be "built-up" slightly over the joint and feathered to either side. The feathering can be as wide as 4" or 5" on both sides of the joint and can be achieved by using a 14" finishing trowel. When it dries, use a hand sander with 80 grit sandpaper to smooth the joint and feather the edges. After the wallboard is installed, it can be painted, papered, or plastered.
On inside corners apply plaster to both sides with taping knife. Crease tape and place in corner, using tape knife to smooth out and press out excess plaster. When dry apply second coat to corner, then use drywall corner trowel to finish smoothly.