"One trick I learned was to thin the mud just slightly and use a wider knife on the final pass."
Interesting approach—I can see how that would cut down on dust, but I'm not totally convinced thinning the mud is always worth the trade-off. When I tried it, I found it easier to accidentally gouge or leave uneven spots because the mud was less forgiving. Instead, I've had luck switching to a setting-type compound (the powder stuff). It dries harder and sands smoother, making the job quicker overall. Just my two cents...
"Interesting approach—I can see how that would cut down on dust, but I'm not totally convinced thinning the mud is always worth the trade-off."
Haha, I feel your pain! First time I tried thinning mud, it was like frosting a cake with melted ice cream—total disaster. But after a few tries (and some colorful language), I got the hang of it. Wider knife definitely helps, and patience is key. Hang in there, sounds like you're already finding your groove...or at least keeping your sanity intact.
Thinning mud definitely has its moments, but honestly, I've found it depends a lot on the job itself. If you're dealing with a ton of seams or corners, sometimes a slightly thinner consistency can save your wrists from aching later. But yeah, too thin and you're basically chasing drips all day—been there, done that, not fun.
One thing I've noticed is that the type of mud makes a difference too. Lightweight compound seems to thin out easier without losing as much adhesion, but the heavier stuff... forget it, turns into soup way too fast. Personally, I stick with a medium consistency and just accept a bit more sanding afterward. Dust sucks, but at least you can control it with decent sanding equipment.
Speaking of sanding, anyone tried those dustless sanding setups? I've seen mixed reviews—some swear by them, others say they're overpriced and clog constantly. Curious if they're actually worth the investment or just another gimmick...
I've been tempted by those dustless setups too, but honestly, after borrowing one from a buddy, I'm not convinced they're worth the cash. Sure, it cuts down dust, but the filters clogged up pretty quick, and replacements aren't cheap. I ended up rigging my shop vac with a decent HEPA filter and sanding attachment—way cheaper and does the job surprisingly well. Might not be completely dust-free, but it's close enough without breaking the bank.
Haha, I feel your pain on this one. I remember when I first tackled drywall joints, thought I'd discovered the holy grail with one of those fancy dustless setups—until I saw the price tag and almost choked on my coffee. Ended up doing something similar to you, but here's a quick trick that helped me even more:
1. Sand lightly first pass—just knock down the high spots.
2. Apply a thin skim coat of joint compound (the premixed lightweight stuff is awesome for this).
3. Let it dry completely (seriously, patience pays off here).
4. Hit it again with super-fine sandpaper on your shop vac attachment.
This method cuts way down on dust because you're not sanding aggressively to fix uneven joints. Plus, fewer clogs in your filter means less cash spent replacing them.
Sure, it's not 100% dust-free...but hey, neither is my car after hauling drywall sheets home from the store. Close enough works for me!
