Abstract: A portable system for washing tools is disclosed. The portable system includes a first receptacle, a second receptacle, and a filtering assembly engaged with one of the first and second receptacles. The filtering assembly is configured to engage with and communicate water from one receptacle for washing tools. The water and any mud are collected in the other receptacle. When water is depleted from a receptacle, the filter assembly is transferred to the other receptacle for reuse of the water wherein the process is repeated. The filtering assembly includes a displacement element for creating a distance between a water input port and any mud at a gravitational bottom. The filtering assembly can subsequently be moved back and forth between each receptacle for continue reuse of the water for cleaning tools.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning drywall tools includes a structure supporting two tanks, one above the other. The lower tank holds a supply of rinse water that includes a water-clarifying agent. A water-pumping assembly pumps the rinse water from the lower tank for pressurized tool-rinsing above the upper tank, with the upper tank collecting the used rinse water. After mud has settled from the used rinse water, thereby resulting in a body of clarified rinse water disposed above the settled mud, an upper water-draining assembly on the upper tank drains the clarified rinse water back to the lower tank for reuse or removal. A user lowers an adjustable inlet on the upper water-draining assembly to a position within the body of clarified rinse water so that only the clarified rinse water drains, without the settled mud. The apparatus is preferably work-bench size in order to enable contemporaneous tool cleaning by two users.

Abstract: A method for cleaning drywall tools and other objects produces dirty water while collecting the dirty water in a container. The method includes treating the dirty water in the container with a water-clarifying agent to produce settled-out mud and/or other settled-out constituents and clarified water, removing the clarified water from the container, and, preferably, draining the settled-out mud or other settled-out constituents from the container for recycling. An apparatus includes a cart supporting a container that includes an upwardly opening main portion over which the user sprays the object and a lower portion extending downwardly from the main portion. The lower portion has a bottom end that includes a valve-controlled outlet for enabling the user to drain a quantity of settled-out mud or other settled-out constituents from the container after that quantity has settled out of suspension from the dirty water.

Abstract: A method for installing a junction box on a building framework in conjunction with the installation of wallboard includes providing a junction box having a junction box component, an extension component, and elements for connecting the extension component to the junction box component. The method proceeds by (i) mounting the junction box component on the building framework, (ii) mounting a sheet of wallboard on the building framework over the junction box component, (iii) cutting a hole in the sheet of wallboard in order to expose the junction box component, and (iv) inserting the extension component through the hole in the sheet of wallboard in order to thereby connect the extension component to the junction box component. Doing so significantly facilitates wallboard installation while enabling off-site mounting of a fixture on the extension component.

Abstract: A method for installing a sheet of wallboard over a previously installed junction box includes the steps of providing a magnet and a magnet-sensing device adapted to produce a human discernible signal when placed against an outwardly facing side of the sheet of wallboard in close proximity to the magnet. The method proceeds by mounting the magnet on the junction box, installing the sheet of wallboard over the junction box, searching for the junction box by moving the magnet-sensing device along the outwardly facing side of the sheet of wallboard until the sensor produces the human discernible signal, and then cutting an opening in the sheet of wallboard at the location of the junction box. A magnet-sensing device includes a housing supporting an electrical circuit that is adapted to produce a human discernible signal when placed in close proximity to a magnet located behind the wallboard.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing powdered or premixed drywall joint compound and water to form a joint compound mixture or slurry includes a portable container rig with a container, pumping components, and mixing components on a dolly. A mixing element rests within the container upon the container bottom, while a mixing element driver assembly that is adapted to rest upon the upper lip portion of the container engages the mixing element and rotates it for mixing purposes while at the same time raising it slightly. The pumping components may include various commercially available valves and pump outlets that facilitate the filling of various tape application tools, and one preferred embodiment includes remote control components featuring automatic pump turnoff. One embodiment includes a multifunction coupling assembly having an upper coupling component and two different lower components.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing powdered or premixed drywall joint compound and water to form a joint compound mixture or slurry includes a portable container rig with a container, pumping components, and mixing components on a dolly that includes an arrangement for holding the mixing components in an elevated position. A mixing element rests within the container upon the container base, while a mixing element driver assembly that is adapted to rest upon the upper lip portion of the container engages the mixing element and rotates it for mixing purposes while at the same time raising it slightly. The pumping components may include various commercially available valves and pump outlets that facilitate the filling of various tape application tools, and one preferred embodiment includes remote control components featuring automatic pump turnoff.