Banjo

A drywall taping banjo is a compact, handheld tool that applies drywall tape and joint compound at the same time, coating the tape with mud as you pull it out and press it into the seam. It is a quick, inexpensive way to tape joints without a fully automatic system, and is favoured by finishers, renovators and serious DIYers alike. Both Columbia and LEVEL5 are designed to load easily and lay tape cleanly.

It depends on your preferred working style. The Columbia Black Banjo is a tried-and-tested pick that many finishers rely on for everyday use, and the LEVEL5 Semi-Automatic Drywall Banjo is offered at a lower price and comes with a smooth feed and a case. Both are professional-grade, and it's a matter of budget and whether the case is important to you.

A banjo and a bazooka perform the same basic function: taping seams, but on vastly different scales. A drywall taping banjo is small, inexpensive, and perfect for smaller jobs, repairs, and tight spaces, while an automatic taper is a larger investment designed for high-volume production finishing. Many finishers have both and reach for the banjo when a full taper is too much.

Loading is straightforward. The banjo is filled with joint compound, and the tape is fed through it so it is coated as it exits, then applied directly to the seam and wiped down with a knife. A little thinner mud runs more smoothly, and a quick rinse after use will keep everything flowing freely next time.

Cleaning is quick if you do it right away. Empty any leftover compound, then flush the banjo and tape channel with water until the water runs clear, since dried mud is the main cause of banjo gunk. A well-rinsed banjo taping tool loads more smoothly and lasts far longer, so it's worth the two minutes at the end of the day.

Yes. We're a Canadian supplier based in London, Ontario, and we ship a drywall banjo anywhere in Canada, with free shipping on qualifying orders above our posted threshold. Whether you're in Ontario or across the country, you can order online and have it delivered to your door or jobsite.

Both banjos we carry are ready to run out of the box, and if you're new to taping, we can point you to the model that best fits your workload. Reach out any time, and we'll help you match a drywall taping banjo to the type of finishing you do.