Lathing and Plastering - GA Archives

This Gypsum Association archival film is for historical reference only. The information contained in it is not intended as guidance for contemporary construction.

[petekobraoutdoors]

I'm a 60 year old plaster, and it was great to see a video of the traditional ways. Besides, a few different ways of application and materials, the better plasterer in this video, was average.
They didn't show him pushing any crown mouldings or doing any ceiling textures, all of which I could.
The plastering trade takes on many different areas of architecture, which can take decades to master.
But if you wanna learn, expect at least 2 years just to learn basics from green. Good luck finding a good teacher. They are very rare.
I AM PLASTERER 1963😊

[justin]

The guy hammering the nails in as fast as he does, with such skill, I've never seen that in my entire life.

[brenyboy]

I’m a 29 y.o drywall plasterer, this was so great to watch. I’m never going to complain again about having to sheet the odd house here and there. Soooo many nails and what a beast with that hammer and nails

[sheilaheinrich]

My grandfather arrived in NYC from Ireland and learned the plastering trade. He moved around from city to city for years, especially if the union was on strike where he was. He plastered in Chicago for the Chicago World's Fair (not its official name) before and during the fair in 1892. He told his son/my father the organizers and builders were knocking down some of the buildings that were made for it as they built other new parts of it. Eventually he moved to the Canadian prairies and homesteaded in two different places. He would go around the community plastering the inside of sod shacks (to insulate) in return for food. I have his tools and toolbag.

[danielmay]

The amount of labor put into the old school plaster guys work is really something to appreciate.

[brucestorey]

I’m a plumber, and have worked in houses built as far back as the Civil War. Plaster walls and ceilings have always intrigued me. I always approach tearing into them for a plumbing repair with great respect. It breaks my heart having to destroy something that has been in place with no defects for so, so long. It especially hurts if I am forced to remove and destroy any plaster moulding — I do my very best to stay away from it, even if it is going to require an inordinate amount of time and effort to make a plumbing repair. I have seen so many different methods used and types of lath used for plaster work and have always wondered why there are so many different ways to do it — I have just chalked it up to the evolution of the discovery of better ways or more efficient ways to do it. I know that most plumbers will just take a hammer to it and not think twice about the time and skill it took to originally install it. I take the opposite approach and do whatever I can to preserve as much history as possible. I have a great respect for plasterers of years gone by who are most likely no longer with us. Their work has passed the test of time. I do know that this skill has faded away to almost nonexistent because it is extremely difficult for people to find somebody who can make satisfactory repairs to the damage a plumber will do to their plaster. And, if they do find somebody with the skills to do it properly, it costs them dearly — as it should. Plastering is an art that is deserving of the highest pay.

[markadkins]

I've been plastering for 36 years and I have done this and so much more. I love my trade and it is great to see another professional at work.

[davem]

I rehabbed two houses that had this type of gypsum plaster installed. They were built in the 40’s and 50’s. No insulation was installed in the exterior walls so I removed quite a bit and was amazed at the strength. So much manual labor went into this type of system. Much more durable than today’s drywall board.

[ching]

the fact that this dude puts like 10 nails perfectly aligned in his mouth in half a second is impressive

[dwightstine]

I was in my second year plumbing apprenticeship and working in the Kentucky Governors Mansion. The tradesman doing the gypsum and the beautiful ornate ceilings were masters of their trade. I was in awe at how fast and precise they were. I can still picture it after all these years. (From the early 80’s)

[theelfies]

Been in the trade 48 years, plasterboards are massive now... served my time doing this method in the UK 1972 using jute scrim on the joints though

[Michael-hncj]

I am a home remodeler. At one job took us 3 days to get a 1940s era mudjob down to the studs. Bathroom was tiny like 4.5'x4.5' plus a shower. Lath on walls, floor, ceiling, 1.5" of plaster or mud at minimum thickness. Thing was beyond bullet proof. Still on the job have to start demo on a larger bathroom next week. Mad respect for the people that did that. I can only hope my work lasts half as long as that bathroom did.

[Chrominance]

Wow, that was amazing watching that drywaller do his work. I have a new found respect for the trade now.

[fak]

This is how my 60 year old home is done. Wall are still rock hard, corners are solid, no nail pops and no chasing dings in soft drywall mud. Nowadays we spread cake icing on joints and paint the paper, then hope nobody sneezes on it or bumps it with their backpack.

[josron]

I brought a small house built in 1948 with plaster over drywall. And watching this video confirms what I thought on how labor-intensive this type of work is. Just watching this makes me feel like I need to take a nap.

[jaymeade]

Narrated by Ken Carpenter of Kraft company fame. He was a familiar voice to many radio listeners, and known for shows such as The Great Gildersleeve, Command Performance, and the Kraft Music Hall.

[FSAUDIOGUY]

My house is 72 years old and built with this method. The walls are still square and strong. The house has no air leaks and feels and sounds solid. Very cool to find this video!

[dipling.pitzler]

Nailing, specially near the edges, without splitting the Gypsum board is an art in itself!

[katnew]

Wowww amazing workmanship!! Not many of these craftsmen around anymore!

[ra]

The first home I bought was built in 1949. No wonder it's such a sturdy home. Old plaster walls, they've held up beautifully. This was awesome to watch.