• Taping strengthens joints and conceals seams between sheets of drywall.drywall worker image by Sherri Camp from Fotolia.com
  
  A professional taping job leaves no trace---it creates smooth, undetectable seams between sheets of drywall. To create a strong joint with a seamless appearance, drywall finishers use tools that range from taping knives to drill-powered paddle mixers. Professionals might purchase high-end steel products, but you don't have to break the bank to get set up. Plastic knives and pans will be fine if you're just starting out. Whether you intend to do one job or make a career of it, become familiar with the types of taping tools and you'll create professional results.
  
  

Utility Knives

• Utility knives are valuable multi-purpose tools for the drywall professional.carpenter`s knife image by Paolo from Fotolia.com
  
  A standard utility knife opens bags or boxes of joint compound and cuts drywall tape from its roll. More importantly, a utility knife cuts away frayed edges and peeling drywall paper prior to applying joint compound---paper and loose gypsum gum up joint compound, preventing proper adhesion and reducing smooth appearance.
  
  

Paddle Mixers

• The least expensive form of joint compound is a ready-to-mix powder, and the most effective method of mixing it is to use a drill-mounted paddle mixer. Paddle mixers appear similar to your kitchen's electric mixer attachment---they feature paddles or bars that protrude from a center shank. These tools attach to an electric drill and thoroughly mix powdered joint compound with water, eliminating lumps and dry spots.
  
  

Mud Pans

• The mud pan acts as a transport unit for joint compound; small portions of drywall are scooped from large, mixed batches and placed into these metal or plastic pans. A mud pan looks like a deep, skinny bread-baking pan---rectangular with two long sides that lead to short ends.
  
  

Tape Reels

• The drywall tape reel offers a hands-free method of carrying an entire roll of drywall tape. Tape reels function like a sticky-tape---a wheel of drywall tape fits into a frame, the loose end of the tape protrudes through an opening against which it can be torn.
  
  

Taping Knives

• Drywall knives are the primary joint compound application tool of the taping process. These knives are not sharp. Rather, they are broad spreading tools akin to putty knives. Drywall knives feature broad faces for carrying gobs of joint compound and wide edges for spreading it. Taping knives are typically made of plastic or steel and appear in widths or four inches to 12 inches or more. Additionally, there are flat-faced knives for taping joints in the middle of a wall and angled knives for spreading joint compound onto the outside and inside corners of walls.