Most people think drywall is simple.
Cut it. Screw it up. Spread some mud. Done.
Then they try it.
And suddenly they realize they’re making three trips to the store because they don’t have half the tools they actually need.
I’ve been doing drywall repairs and installs for years here in the Cleveland area. Old houses. Plaster patches. Water damage ceilings. Full basement finishes. I’ve made the mistakes so you don’t have to.
This is the complete drywall tools list I keep on my truck. It covers everything from small patches to hanging full sheets. If you’re a first-time homeowner, DIYer, or someone tackling repairs yourself, this is what you actually need. No fluff. No contractor-only specialty stuff. Just tools that work.
We’ll break it down in order:
Cutting and layout → hanging and fastening → taping and mudding → sanding → access and safety → dust protection.
Let’s get into it.
Why Having the Right Drywall Tools Makes or Breaks the Job
Drywall is unforgiving.
Bad cuts show.
Overdriven screws show.
Cheap knives leave waves.
Wrong sanding tools make a dust storm.
I’ve seen more frustration from using the wrong tools than from the job itself.
When I walk onto a drywall job, I’m not guessing. I know exactly what I’m using and why. Every tool on this list has earned its spot on my truck.
Good drywall work is about control. Clean cuts. Flat seams. Tight corners. Smooth finishes.
The right tools make that possible.
Here’s the full drywall tools list, broken down the way I actually use them.
Cutting and Layout Tools
These are the first tools that come out. If your cuts are bad, everything downstream gets harder.
Utility Knife
This is the backbone of drywall cutting.
Drywall isn’t “sawed” across the face. You score the paper, snap it, then cut the backing.
What I look for:
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Foldable
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Solid locking mechanism
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Comfortable grip
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Bonus if it doubles as a driver
[PRODUCT LINK]
Pro tip: Score once, deep and firm. Don’t try to slice all the way through. Score. Snap. Cut the back paper. Clean and fast.
Drywall T-Square
If you’re cutting full sheets, you need a 48-inch T-square.
This gives you a straight edge across a 4×8 sheet without measuring three times.
What to look for:
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Lightweight aluminum
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True 48-inch length
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Solid head that sits flush on the edge
[PRODUCT LINK]
Pro tip: Keep it steady with your knee or clamp it. Movement is what ruins straight cuts.
Tape Measure
I carry a 25-foot tape for drywall.
It’s long enough for layout but compact enough to clip on your belt.
You’re constantly measuring studs, ceiling heights, patch dimensions.
What to look for:
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Clear markings
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Smooth retract
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Solid lock
[PRODUCT LINK]
Hanging and Fastening Tools
Once it’s cut, it needs to go up straight and tight.
Drywall Screws
Use the right screws.
Fine thread for metal studs.
Coarse thread for wood studs.
For standard 1/2-inch drywall over wood framing, 1-1/4-inch screws are the move.
What to look for:
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Sharp point
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Clean threads
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Black phosphate coating
[PRODUCT LINK]
Pro tip: Sink the screw just below the surface without tearing the paper. If you break the paper, that screw loses holding strength.
Power Tool / Drill
You can use a regular drill. I do. But it needs a depth-set bit.
If you’re hanging a lot, a drywall screw gun is faster. But for most homeowners, a good drill with the right bit is fine.
What to look for:
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Lightweight
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Adjustable clutch
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Comfortable grip
[PRODUCT LINK]
You don’t need contractor-grade everything. But you do need control.
Saw Horses
Trying to cut drywall on the floor is miserable.
Saw horses give you:
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A stable work surface
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Proper height
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Clean snapping leverage
What to look for:
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Sturdy legs
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Non-slip tops
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Easy fold-up
[PRODUCT LINK]
Even for small jobs, I set these up. It saves your back and your cuts.
Taping and Mudding Tools
This is where drywall goes from “installed” to “finished.”
This is also where bad tools ruin everything.
For deeper instruction, read [INTERNAL LINK].
Mud Pan
You need a stainless steel pan.
Plastic pans flex and get chewed up.
What to look for:
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Stainless steel
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Easy-to-clean edges
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Comfortable grip
[PRODUCT LINK]
6-Inch Taping Knife
This is your base knife.
I use it for:
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Bedding tape
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First coats
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Small patches
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Screw fills
What to look for:
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Flexible blade
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Comfortable handle
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Straight edge
[PRODUCT LINK]
A bad knife leaves lines. A good one flexes clean.
10-Inch Taping Knife
This is for widening seams and second coats.
Drywall finishing is about feathering. The wider the knife, the flatter the seam.
What to look for:
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Slight flex
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Balanced feel
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Straight edge
[PRODUCT LINK]
You don’t need six knives. A 6-inch and a 10-inch handle most homeowner projects.
Corner Trowel
Inside corners are where beginners struggle.
A corner trowel helps keep both sides even and crisp.
What to look for:
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Stainless steel
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Proper 90-degree angle
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Smooth edge
[PRODUCT LINK]
Use it lightly. Don’t overwork the corner.
Joint Compound
There are different types for different stages.
All-purpose for bedding.
Lightweight for finish coats.
Setting-type for fast repairs.
If you want a full breakdown, see [INTERNAL LINK].
[PRODUCT LINK]
Using the wrong compound is one of the biggest DIY mistakes I see.
Sanding Tools
Sanding separates decent drywall from clean drywall.
For full sanding techniques, see [INTERNAL LINK].
Sanding Sponge
Great for:
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Corners
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Small patches
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Tight spaces
What to look for:
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Medium grit for general use
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Durable foam backing
[PRODUCT LINK]
Sanding Screen
I prefer screens for bigger areas.
They don’t clog like paper.
What to look for:
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Open mesh design
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Compatible with hand or pole sander
[PRODUCT LINK]
Pole Sander
If you’re sanding ceilings or long seams, don’t do it by hand.
What to look for:
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Swivel head
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Sturdy pole
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Replaceable screens
[PRODUCT LINK]
Pro tip: Light pressure. Let the tool do the work. Over-sanding burns through paper.
Access and Safety Tools
You cannot finish drywall safely without stable footing.
Step Ladder
For walls and lower ceilings, a solid step ladder is enough.
What to look for:
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Wide stance
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Non-slip feet
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Rated for your weight
[PRODUCT LINK]
Work Platform / Adjustable Ladder
For ceilings, especially in older Cleveland homes with uneven floors, stability matters.
What to look for:
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Wide base
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Adjustable height
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Solid locking mechanisms
[PRODUCT LINK]
Never stretch to reach. Move the ladder.
Dust Protection and Prep
Drywall dust gets everywhere.
If you skip this section, your house will remind you.
Plastic Sheeting
Use it to:
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Seal off doorways
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Protect floors
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Contain sanding areas
What to look for:
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Thick enough not to tear
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Easy to tape
[PRODUCT LINK]
Painter’s Tape
For sealing plastic and protecting trim.
What to look for:
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Clean removal
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Strong adhesion
[PRODUCT LINK]
Tack Cloth
After sanding, wipe everything down.
This removes fine dust before priming.
What to look for:
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Sticky but not wet
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Leaves no residue
[PRODUCT LINK]
This Drywall Tools List Is What I Actually Use
This drywall tools list isn’t theoretical.
This is what I use on real jobs. Patching holes from door knobs. Fixing water-damaged ceilings. Finishing basement remodels.
You don’t need 40 specialty tools.
You need the right ones.
If you’re planning a patch, start with the basics here. If you’re going deeper, check out:
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[INTERNAL LINK]
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[INTERNAL LINK]
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[INTERNAL LINK]
And if you’re in Northeast Ohio and decide you’d rather not deal with drywall dust in your house, Colin Can Help handles drywall repair and finishing professionally.
Either way, now you know what actually belongs on a real drywall tools list.