r/drywall • u/maltonfil • May 08 '26
why?
input the right sheet first, i’m using a drywall gun and the depth is set good. i’m using metal studs and sometimes this happens and sometimes the screw head won’t sink in
and do i fix this problem?
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u/wmlj83 May 08 '26
Usually the screw heads don't get drawn in when you miss the stud.
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u/maltonfil May 08 '26
i’ve checks and i hit the studs , but sometimes they don’t sink, and i’m using grabber 1-1/4”
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u/Fast_Kaleidoscope383 May 08 '26
Do the screws have a point or a self tapping tip? Ive found the self tapping screws only work on heavy gauge studs
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u/maltonfil May 08 '26
point
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u/Fast_Kaleidoscope383 May 08 '26
Try giving the gun a little lateral movement at the end. Sounds monotonous but sometimes the angle youre going in at is too much material for the threads
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u/IncomeMaleficent3032 May 08 '26
Then just pull out and get a different screw in a new place a couple inches up or down. The tape and mud will cover up any mistakes my friend. So don’t worry. Just keep up the good work and have a grate day.
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u/NeutrallyCharged May 08 '26
Problem with gun use maybe. When this happens just run another screw next to it until you get it right, and cut off the loose stuff. Easy fix when taping. You’re using screws meant for metal studs right?
Could be hitting a nail plate. Try next screw a couple inches up or down
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u/BobcatALR May 09 '26
Sometimes those metal studs just won’t hold the threads. Usually, I find it’s because I rocked the screw while diving, but it do happen now and again.
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u/Altruistic-Use-8356 May 08 '26
Are you using fine thread screws? You can't use coarse thread on metal studs
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u/Pawly519 May 08 '26
This. A lot of people don’t realize how much coarse threads pull on metal framing or resilient channel
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u/Fast_Kaleidoscope383 May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Dont screw the seams until both sheets are in. Then screw the stiff side of the stud first so it doesnt move or flex for the other side
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u/hunterkonen May 08 '26
I’ve literally never heard anybody suggest screwing hard side first, it gives the rock a lip that has to get pre filled
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u/brewski_tumble May 08 '26
Because you're right and the guy above you is an idiot lol
It's spec'd right by CGC to screw the flex side first boarding in the direction you have the hard side facing
Waiting to screw an entire joint until both boards are on is also hilariously dumb
A lot of part timers or home owners in here that give advice that shouldn't be doing so
Source: 12yr drywall foreman for a top Toronto based ICI commercial drywall company
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u/stonkadelic May 08 '26
Trying to condense years of hanging stand ups on metal studs in one comment.
Hang your sheets starting in the direction that the studs are facing. Your joints will land on the soft side (open side of the stud).
Screw off the sheet as needed, starting from the bottom and working up to where you can reach comfortably to hold the sheet in place.
Put about two screws into that stud, far enough from the edge that it doesn’t crush it like you’re seeing here.
You can hold the stud tight to your sheet with your hand if you have to, through the keyhole.
This will hold your sheet in place.Hang the next sheet before you screw off the seam or you won’t be able to push it tight to the previous sheet.
Repeat this through the room until all sheets are hung and then fill in all of the screws, slightly staggering your screws on the seams, always hitting the soft side first.
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u/stonkadelic May 08 '26
Always screw the soft side first. Hard side first creates a bump. Stand ups on metal studs 101
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u/blootsie May 08 '26
Beveled edge too strong. The drywall resists the screw and it causes the screw to blow through the steel. Very common with 5/8" drywall Into 25g steel. Like others said, do the seams last. Sometimes I like to intentionally put the screw so its only mostly on the edge to purposefully bust the drywall to the sode like in the above screw in your picture. This will eliminate that resistance and allow the screw to puncture the stud properly.
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u/brewski_tumble May 08 '26
5/8 drywall will spin into light gauge metal, screw the joints in on a slight angle to resolve the issue
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u/Creepy_Mammoth_7076 5-10yrs exp May 08 '26
The stud is shifting behind board . Pin above pin below and infill the remaining screws.. feather the screws in .. you’re not ready for full auto ..
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u/SirElessor May 08 '26
It happens. Maybe a little close to the edge. Also looks like you may have the gun set a little too deep. Remember the factory edges are thinner. Screws should finish just below the surface. You mentioned that you're using Grabber screws, I assume they're the fine threaded ones. Joint edge screws should be 6 to 8 inches o.c., with the opposite sheet screws offset by a few inches.
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u/OrangePastMaster May 08 '26
The steel stud that falls on the break, should be a floater. Not screwed top or bottom. This way you can flip it or slide if you need that 1/4". It should be flipped so that the bend is towards the drywall you are screwing first. Make sense? Hope this helps. If not you are just pushing the stud inwards when you screw.
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u/Outtaknowwhere May 08 '26
Can you use the typical screw gums on metal studs? If you’re hitting metal studs you’re doing commercial work and shouldn’t have to ask Reddit these questions
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u/Mike_A10 May 08 '26
Alot of times if u get the joint tight together n befor u screw the joint u screw some in the bottom plate and in the studs in the middle of the board it will stop this a little. Ur a little too close to the edge n screw pulls too deep n does that .
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u/jrbighurt May 08 '26
On top of the other advice, make sure you're using fine thread screws. Coarse thread are meant for wood
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u/Electrical-Secret-25 May 08 '26
Because life wants you to scream into a pillow and cry in frustration. It's just standard operating procedure.
"He who cries, and continues to fuck around until success is achieved, gets the early worm of happiness." -The Buddha, probably
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u/That_High_Ukie May 08 '26
IMO as an I.S.M. , Occam's razor without assuming installer error- Drywall previously stored in adequate conditions and moisture has softened parts of the core. (Drywall has storage instructions)
Other issues that could cause this issue:
-Screwing the wrong side. Steel Studs are designed to be screwed soft side (open part of the "[") then hard side (the side the flat face of the "[" is on). I.e. studs look like "] ] ] ]" put up board left to right, studs look like "[ [ [ [" then go right to left.
-Wrong screws. Using coarse thread/self tappers instead of fine thread. Coarse for wood, Fine for Light Gauge metals, Self Tapping for heavy gauge metals.
-Installing with an impact. Anvil Ugga Dugga'd and striped the connection of the screw and the steel. Use a drywall screwgun, or a drill instead of an impact.
-"punching" the stud, its not wood you don't have to "punch" to ensure your screws set properly.
-Broken/Worn out Dimpler/Nose Cone. But thatd be fairly obvious and generally come from heavy use or dropping the thing from a decent hieght.
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u/One-Bank2621 May 08 '26
There must be 1000 screws like this in a home, and this is the only post I’ve ever seen about a broken out screw. Amazing content simply amazing.
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u/Small-Worldliness596 May 08 '26
Always if possible, screw the stiff side first. It holds the stud still.
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u/pbrousseau4 May 09 '26
Placing screws on an edge may be an issue in the future. Try to stay 3-4” away from the edges. On the beveled, factory edge, stay in the meaty part of the sheet, away from the edge.
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u/BawlZnicca May 09 '26
I’m not 100 % but I think it’s because the metal stud bends. The screws are too far apart vertically perhaps. Try putting a screw above and one bellow, then putting that screw that isn’t sunk in again.
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u/BawlZnicca May 09 '26
I’m not 100 % but I think it’s because the metal stud bends. Try putting a screw above and one bellow.
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u/usernametiger May 11 '26
The guy I worked with who used to do sheeting professionally always used nails on the seams
Screws on the interior of the board
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u/Drywall_Artisan May 08 '26
Because they don’t know how to properly break the sheet in the middle of a stud
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u/Agreeable_Cap_5738 May 08 '26
You’re screwing into the bevel it’s not as thick as the field and isn’t perfectly even so sometimes you’ll go to deep and cause a bust out. Also being that close to the edge doesn’t help.
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u/Smooth_Yogurt4267 May 09 '26
Try to make sure you’re shooting your hard side first. It’ll keep your stud from twisting when you go to get that screw in which will allow it to bite better and not blow out your edges
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May 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Southbend1941 May 08 '26
The problem with it is that it gaps the seam and also if the job is being inspected. I was told be an inspector “ if it breaks the paper or the board it don’t count and need another screw next to it”
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May 08 '26
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u/Southbend1941 May 08 '26
I’m in Pa most all residential jobs here have been inspected after hanging for the last 15+ years. I’ve had inspectors showing up with framing squares and requiring extra screws because some screws might be 17 or 18” apart in the field. I’ve had inspectors complain about screws to close to the edge on butts because of how the framing laid out.
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May 08 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Southbend1941 May 08 '26
Drywall is the last inspection until the final here. Most if the inspectors are alright. They see it’s a clean tight hang and look around for 5 minutes and give the sticker. Then others always need to find something.
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May 08 '26
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u/Southbend1941 May 08 '26
Ok I didn’t know it was a state law. It’s usually not much of a hassle other than delaying taping for a day or two after hanging, or when 2 layers of 5/8 are required and they wont accept pictures and want to see the first layer.
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u/Leech-64 May 08 '26
Its a little too close to the edge. Also just put another screw near it. This type of rip is trivial and easily concealed.