[jeffnc]

You've gotten plenty of good advice, so don't bother with this approach. Also, please don't call it "powder". Whether it is powder or not is not the issue for you. The issue is whether it's a setting or drying compound. You are apparently talking about setting compound, which only comes in a powder. Drying compound comes in either a powder or premixed. As already mentioned, "Easy Sand" is only easy relative to Durabond, not relative to premixed drying compound. There is no benefit for you to use setting compound based on what you've said. However, if you plan on using mesh tape instead of paper tape, then you want to use setting compound for the first coat, and then drying compound for the next 2 coats. That's because mesh tape is not strong enough for regular drying compound (setting compound is stronger than drying compound.) Otherwise, use paper tape, or FibaFuse.

 

[jeffnc]

It should be mixed in a bucket with a mixing paddle, unless you have a tiny patch to do. And it doesn't dry any faster than premixed compound.

 

[jeffnc]

I usually use 20 minute mud which does dry a lot faster than ready mix j/c. All setting compounds will dry quicker than ready mix when the temps are cool and/or high humidity.

I have no idea where you guys are coming up with this. All I can assume is that you're talking about setting, not drying. Probably it seems like premixed compound takes longer to dry because it doesn't get hard until it's fully dry. Otherwise I can't believe that unless I see some official reference to it online. I can think of no reason at all it would dry faster.

 

[jeffnc]

this guy says he has been doing this for 40 years. One would think that he has it down.

I'm not saying he does or doesn't, but in my experience, how long you've done something a certain way means nothing more than you've never changed. I've seen people doing horrible things because some guy 40 years ago told him to do it that way, and they never thought about it more than that.


Half the tradespeople I know do crappy work, and it could be improved immensely by doing nothing more than reading the instructions for 60 seconds.

 

[jeffnc]

Easy Sand actually sands OK. Not as well as standard of course. That is why you don't want to mix them if you're going to be sanding both layers. This can happen in some situations either when you put on the first layer too thick, or if you're doing some patch where the wall or the patch is not very level. You don't want to be sanding where part of the walls comes off quicker than another part. But if it's all Easy Sand, it's not bad. Durabond I would call unsandable.

 

[jeffnc]

Agree completely with the first paragraph, disagree with the second, IMO 80%-85% do crappy work because they don't know what they are doing.

Are you saying it's 85% instead of 50%? Otherwise I don't think we disagree. Sometimes just reading the instructions will let them know what they're supposed to be doing, but they can't be bothered to even do that.

 

[jeffnc]

Though those who are experienced ensure there's sufficient compound under and over the tape to eliminate bubbles and have good technique to prevent such.

Yes and if you are not confident with paper I recommend FibaFuse. No bubbles, and stronger than mesh tape. In fact I use it for most drywall work I do (but not corners.)