Frequently Asked Questions

You may run into a few questions using your Fast Lil’ Taper. We hope these answers help, but if you don’t see an answer to your question, please contact us so we can respond, pass it on, and help others.

HAVE I MIXED THE COMPOUND RIGHT?

This is very important for the FLT. You want to mix and maintain the Mud to the consistency of Sour Cream while doing the whole taping job. If it is too dry you will see gaps in the mud on the tape when you are pulling it through. Mix in a little water and keep testing it with your finger. But gaps could also mean that you are pulling it through too fast. Slow down. If it is too wet it will run of the tape when you hold it in the air. Mix some more dry in it. Keep an eye on the mix in the hotter summer month as it my dry up sooner. Don’t over water.

MY F.L.T. HAS A LOT OF MUD IN THE FENCE AND THE TEETH?

About every 5 to 8 pieces of tape you run through the FLT, it may build up excess mud. If so, just swish it around in a bucket of water, and shake off the excess water. This will soften and remove most of the built up compound on it and allow you to work again. If not, use a tooth brush to loosen any dried mud after soaking and swishing it a couple of minutes. DO NOT USE FAST SETTING COMPOUNDS IN THE FLT !

HOW MUCH TAPE SHOULD I BE USING?

As much as you can pull off of your FLT belt tape reel holder with your arm stretched away from your body, which is about 3 to 4 feet. That’s about all you want to be handling in one application. If you have about a 5 foot area to tape, dived it into 2 pieces for more control.

Remember not to overlap the tape ends, BUTT them or it will create a bump under the tape to sand smooth later.

HOW MUCH PRESSURE ON THE KNIFE SHOULD I USE?

The stainless steel blade was designed thin to be flexible. That is so you won’t put too much pressure on the tape and force out too much mud from under it. The tape needs to have enough compound under it so it will stick to the surface. You will see after your first piece of tape. NOTE: Draw the knife in the direction of the tape end that came out of the FLT first and is dry. That will force the mud under that last 3 inches of tape, or trim them off with the knife.

CAN I USE OTHER TYPES OF TAPE IN THE FAST LIL TAPER?

All gypsum board and drywall surfaces are all paper. We always recommend paper tape. All professional machines use paper tape because it goes through the machines better.

The Fast Lil Taper is a professional machine, it’s just smaller and lighter weight. But it only allows you to use up to 4 feet of tape at a time so you have more control. You will get the same quality result using the FLT and paper tape as they do. It is what US Gypsum recommends for their drywall products.  We don’t recommend mess type tape.