Quick PSA: Stop using drywall shims from the big box stores

Picked up a pack of those plastic shims from Home Depot last week and they literally crumbled when I tried to tap them in. Had to dig out half a dozen pieces from behind a butt joint before the mud would even lay flat. Stick to the paper ones or just cut your own from scrap. Has anyone else had these plastic ones fall apart on them?

3 comments

3 Comments

betty_white3920d ago

Are you sure you weren't just whaling on that thing like you were driving a railroad spike? I've had plenty of those plastic shims and they've never fallen apart on me unless I got too aggressive with the hammer. Maybe try tapping them in gently, let them do the work. I get the frustration though, it's a pain when something that's supposed to be simple turns into a mess. But I'd blame the technique more than the shims themselves.

gracea1920d ago

@hernandez.morgan nah just a regular hammer, but yeah these ones were total junk. Paper shims all the way now.

hernandez.morgan20d ago

they literally crumbled when I tried to tap them in" - I mean, were you using a framing hammer or something? I've used those plastic ones from HD for a couple years and never had one break on me. Your mileage may vary but maybe you just got a bad batch.