[.ca] Drywall: Professional Techniques for Great Results (ISBN 1561589551)

An OK book:
This book is OK for a beginner. In his book, the author advises using a setting-type joint compound. In addition, he does not use a banjo for setting his tape. ALMOST everyone else in the world uses a banjo or other mechanical device with all-purpose joint compound for embedding the first layer of tape. It works fine and is far, far less time consuming. This book is not as complete as others that are out there. There is a good deal about drywall installation and finishing that are not included.

Simply the best drywall book I have found so far...:
I've had this book for some time now and have been doing various drywall projects around the house, including crack repair, patches and even replacing a full panel. I found that by following the instructions in this book, and by taking great care to work neatly, all of my repairs are invisible. There is no way I could have done it so well without the help of Mr. Ferguson's book. I have a handful of drywall books but this one comes out tops and therefore I highly recommend it.

Lacking Major Tips:
This book is clearly outdated as others I have found from Taunton Press. The book is written from only the perspective of a person who's actual formal training in drywall may be called into question. (This becomes evident when you have an experienced person showing you how to do inside corners with a corner trowel vice the taping knife). I didn't see anything that stated that the writer actually had any. Key points missed included: Corners-nothing on bull nose or the other at least three methods of doing them (only one cumberson little used old school style), details about the second coat, disadvantages with wet sanding and sanders to use for it, application of decorative moulding pieces, alternate methods for applying tape (there are at least 2 more than in the book), alternate methods of cutting drywall, and details masking areas for stippling to name a few. Drying times may also vary according to the book and based on how many holes you have. Good points included: description of types of drywall, tools required, and applying flexible drywall (but only covered that type of drywall and not the creation of normal drywall into molded shapes. My recommendation would be to go to the library, do a little reading, then talk to knowledgeable sales staff in a store that sells tools and drywall and talk to other do it yourselfers. If you can get a knowledgeable friend to help for a day or so, this is way better than reading this book. Having done now 1367 sq ft of drywall from start to finish, I can say that this book gives the bare bones of drywall and not the up to date requirements of today.

Excellent book:
Go ahead, take a tour of my house. You will be able to tell which walls I did before I bought this book and which ones were done professionally after I bought it. No question, if you are a mud-smearing homeowner like me and can't stand to pay someone to do it right, this book will help. You still have to pay attention and do it just like he says. I'm very satisfied and can't stand it when people borrow my copy so they can see how to do drywall like me.