Abstract: An automatic dry wall applicator having an applicator head connected to a translucent body with a quick release mechanism for easy cleaning and a gas spring dispensing system which moves a piston head in the body to dispense dry wall compound. A loading mechanism uses a manual pump which generates sufficient force to overcome the gas spring pressure to force dry wall compound from a reservoir into the head and body to retract the piston head during loading. The piston rod engages a cam brake which frees the rod during loading and locks the piston head from dispensing unless the cam is manually released from the rod. In one form of the invention, an on-off valve closes the applicator head during loading and can be opened to permit dispensing of dry wall compound.

Abstract: A plastic wall board tape having a raised center section and outwardly extending wing areas which have a coating of fibers adhered to both sides. The raised center of the tape is weakened at the top to cause the tape to crease in a straight line when it is folded at an inside or outside corner to define a straight edge at the corner joint. The combination of the rigid water impervious tape and the fibers allows the tape to be applied over imperfectly fitted wall board joints with large imperfections because the fibers will achieve a mechanical bond with the wall board compound or other joint materials, allowing a slow cure, and the tape will not be softened by the compound. When used on an inside corner, the tape can be finished merely by striking the outer edge with compound as the top surface is a finish surface and requires paint only. The tape can have triangular cutouts in the wings and removable end strips to facilitate taping of curved corner joints.

Abstract: A dry wall having a thin flexible paper base and two opposed beads which have circular corners spaced from the center line of the tape such that the tape can be bent in a 90.degree. angle without the opposed beads interfering with each other. The tape allows the application of dry wall compound to both sides of the joint in the same application, because the beads on the tape provide a guide for the application tool so that the opposite edge of the joint is not disturbed when one side is being smoothed.

Abstract: A dry wall power sander having a reciprocating sanding head driven by pulsing solenoids with a ball and socket connection between the head and an elongated handle to allow movement of the head in two directions but not rotatary motion. Brake means are provided for locking head in a predetermined position with respect to the handle.

Abstract: A dry wall tape having a curved center section, reversely curved intermediate sections and outwardly tapering wings terminating in a thin edge. The tape can be used on inside and outside corner joints to obtain a straight line. Preferably the tape has triangular cut outs in the wings and removable end strips along the outer edges of the tape to facilitate taping of curved corners.

Abstract: A dry wall power sander having a reciprocating sanding head driven by pulsing solenoids with a ball and socket connection between the head and an elongated handle to allow movement of the head in two directions but not rotatary motion. Brake means are provided for locking head in a predetermined position with respect to the handle.