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Drywall (Plasterboard) Tools: Framing, Cutting, Hanging and Taping
Tools for building stud walls and installing drywall/plasterboard: metal stud snips, crimper, drywall knife, rasp, screw gun, jab saw, taping knives and corner tools.
Drywall (plasterboard or gypsum board) is how most modern interior walls and ceilings are built: a frame of metal or timber studs covered with boards, then taped and finished. Building a partition wall or boxing in pipes is a very achievable DIY project with the right tools. This guide covers each stage.
Drywall kit by stage
- Layout: tape measure, laser level or chalk line, spirit level, stud finder
- Framing: aviation snips (metal studs), crimper or screws, impact driver/drill, rotary hammer for floor/ceiling anchors
- Cutting boards: utility knife, T-square, rasp, jab saw, hole saw
- Hanging: drill-driver or drywall screw gun with depth-setting bit, board lifter (ceilings)
- Finishing: taping knives, mud pan, tape, corner beads, sanding tools
Layout and framing tools
- Laser level or chalk line to mark the track position on floor and ceiling; a plumb line or cross-line laser transfers it accurately.
- Aviation snips (left, right, straight cut) for metal studs and tracks.
- Stud crimper: joins metal studs to tracks without screws. Alternatively, use short pan-head framing screws.
- Rotary hammer to fix tracks to concrete floors and ceilings with anchors.
- Mitre saw or circular saw for timber studs.
Cutting drywall
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Utility knife | Score the paper face, snap the board, cut the back paper |
| Drywall T-square (1.2 m / 48 in) | Straight, square cuts across the board |
| Drywall rasp / surform | Smoothing cut edges |
| Jab saw (drywall saw) | Openings for boxes, pipes and irregular shapes |
| Hole saw / drywall circle cutter | Round holes for downlights and outlet boxes |
| Oscillating multi-tool | Openings in installed boards |
| Edge chamfer plane | Chamfering cut edges before taping |
Hanging drywall
- Drywall screw gun or a drill-driver with a dimpler bit: sets screws just below the paper surface without tearing it. This is the single biggest quality factor.
- Drywall screws: fine thread for metal studs, coarse thread for timber. Length typically 25 mm (1 in) for single layer on metal, 32–41 mm (1-1/4 to 1-5/8 in) on timber.
- Board lifter / foot lifter: raises boards to touch the ceiling while you screw.
- Drywall lift: essential for ceilings; rent one.
- Panel carrier: makes carrying boards much easier.
Taping and finishing
- Taping knives: 150 mm (6 in) for taping, 250–300 mm (10–12 in) for feathering.
- Mud pan, joint compound, paper tape or mesh tape.
- Corner beads for outside corners (metal, paper-faced or plastic) and a corner trowel for inside corners.
- Sanding block / pole sander and a dust extractor.
The finishing process is described in detail in plastering and skim coating tools.
How to cut and hang a board
- Measure the space and subtract about 5 mm so the board fits without forcing.
- Place the T-square on the mark and score the face paper with the knife.
- Snap the board back along the score line, then cut the back paper.
- Smooth the edge with a rasp.
- Lift the board into place (use a foot lifter for a tight fit against the ceiling).
- Screw every 200–300 mm along studs (check local spacing requirements), keeping screws about 10 mm from edges. Heads should sit just below the surface.
- Stagger joints between layers and between sides of the wall.
Use moisture-resistant board in bathrooms and kitchens (and a proper waterproofing system in showers), fire-rated board where required, and acoustic board for sound insulation. Check local building rules for partition walls.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a special drywall screw gun?
No. A drill-driver with a dimpler bit or careful clutch setting works well for small projects. Screw guns are faster for large jobs.
How do I hang drywall on a ceiling alone?
Rent a drywall lift. Holding boards overhead by hand is exhausting and dangerous.
This guide is general information, not professional advice. Always read your tool's manual, use the right protective equipment and follow local building and electrical codes. See our disclaimer.