If you use typical flat joint or corner joint “mudboxes” for drywall finishing, you need to use a lot of strength to push the compound out of the box. The forceful, repetitive pushing motions combined with reaching overhead can cause fatigue. Eventually this work can lead to serious wrist, arm, shoulder, and back injuries.

With a flat joint mudbox, you often have to push hard while bending your wrist and back. When you bend like this while pushing forcefully, you increase your chance of developing a muscle or joint injury. Your risk is higher when you do the same job over and over.

Finishers say that corner boxes require them to push even harder than flat boxes, because you have to squeeze the compound into a tighter space.

The photo on the left shows the problem, while the photo on the right illustrates the solution.

(Photo courtesy of ELCOSH)

(Photo courtesy of ELCOSH)

A spring-powered finishing tool does most of the pushing for you. Spring-powered flat boxes and corner tools are available that cut down significantly on the strain caused by pushing.

With spring-powered flat boxes, the springs provide up to 75% of the force needed to push the compound onto the wall. Spring-powered corner tools provide 100% of the force needed to finish corners.

Also consider pneumatic and other finishing tool options depending on the scale of your project.  Spring loaded mudboxes are commonly available for rent in most regions of the US.