AMES Bazooka Manual

Bazooka®
Automatic Taper

Operation

The Bazooka® Automatic Taper simultaneously applies tape and joint compound to any joint: walls,
corners, and ceilings. It automatically dispenses the correct amount of joint compound under the tape,
regardless of the tool user's speed.
The Bazooka uses tape 2 1/16 to 2 1/8 inches wide. Wider tape will not fit and narrower tape will have a
tendency to jam. Install the tape by removing the tape bail (retaining wire) and placing the roll of tape on
the spindle with the tape unwinding clockwise as you look at the roll. Feed the tape through the tape guide
with the back side of the tape facing down. When correctly installed, the tape will curl over the drive
wheel.
Fill the Bazooka with joint compound using the loading pump and the gooseneck adapter. Be sure that the
gate control lever is in the closed position. Place the Bazooka on the gooseneck with the filler nozzle
firmly seated against the nylon seal and move the pump handle to transfer joint compound from the pail to
the Bazooka. Keep the mud pail full to avoid air being pumped into the taper. To avoid overfilling, place
your fingers in the open end of the tube while filling. Stop pumping when the piston reaches your fingers
(approximately 9 pumps when empty.)
After loading the Bazooka, stand it on end and move the gate valve control lever to engage the drive
mechanism. Now turn the key, located on the drive gear sprocket, until the joint compound covers the
leading edge of the joint tape. This is necessary after each loading.
The Bazooka should be held with one hand on the control tube and the other hand at the bottom of the
mud tube. Start taping with butt joints first and then sidewall and ceiling flat joints. For ceilings, use both
drive wheels for the first 4 - 6 inches of tape to secure it to the ceiling, then tilt the Bazooka toward you at
a slight angle leaving only one drive wheel on the drywall surface. Walk backwards, leading with the head
of the tool.
To tape vertical joints, place the taper at the bottom of the joint, parallel to and slightly above the floor.
Lead with the head of the taper, as soon as possible to make tracking easier. Remember to roll with only
one wheel in contact with the wall until about three inches from the top. Stop completely, cut the tape, by
pulling the control tube toward you, and roll to the end of the joint on both wheels. To start the next joint,
move the drive wheels lightly against the surface of the wall, starting the compound flow while advancing
a new end of the tape with the control tube.
To tape horizontal joints, advance the joint compound and about 1 1/2 inches of tape by pushing forward
on the control tube while rolling the drive wheels on the wall. Place drive wheels on the wall and roll
along the joint. Stop about 2 1/2 inches from the end of the joint and cut the tape. Roll out the last 2 1/2
inches of tape while feeding tape with the control tube. This will apply compound to the beginning of the
tape for the next joint.
To tape inside angle joints, both wheels must run in contact with the adjacent wall surfaces, bisecting the
angle with the Bazooka. Tracking must be in a straight line with the creaser wheel extended, using the
trigger located near the trailing end of the Bazooka. The extended creaser wheel secures the tape to the
angle and eases the rolling operation. Avoid twisting the taper as you move along the angle to insure that
you bisect the angle correctly. Operating the taper at a 45 degree angle to the joint, as soon as it is
practical, will aid in the prevention of the tape "creeping".
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