How to Build an Interior Wall Without a Nail Gun

Framing an interior wall without a nail gun is less efficient but not impossible. Carpenters have been framing walls for much longer than nail guns and other power tools have been available. A heavy-duty framing hammer and a few framing nails are all any competent do-it-yourselfer needs. But because both hands are needed to set, hold and hammer a nail, it's best to have a helper around when manually framing.

2-by-4s
Tape measure
Carpenter's pencil
Framing hammer
16d framing nails
Drywall
Power drill
Drywall screws
Drywall knife
Drywall saw
Paper corner bead
Drywall tape
Joint compound
Medium-grit sand paper

Instructions

- 1
  Mark a 2-by-4 at 16-inch intervals. This is the sill, or sole, plate on which the rest of the wall will stand. Use pressure-treated wood if the sill plate will rest on concrete or within six inches of soil. Pressure-treated wood is soaked in chemicals that prevent absorbing moisture from concrete or dirt.
- 2
  Stand the fist wall stud on the sill plate so that their edges are flush. Have your helper hold the stud in place while you toenail -- nail at an approximately 30-degree angle -- the stud to the sill plate with two framing nails. Nail another two nails from the opposite side of the stud for extra strength. Repeat at each 16-inch mark.
- 3
  Lay the wall on its side. Place a 2-by-4 atop the studs and toenail it in place. This is your top plate. Place another 2-by-4 atop the top plate and nail it in place.
- 4
  Stand the wall section where you want it. Hit along the side of the top plate to wedge the wall between the floor and ceiling joist, if necessary. Nail the end to an adjacent wall.
- 5
  Contact a licensed plumber, licensed electrician or licensed HVAC contractor if your plans call for plumbing pipes, electrical wires, switches or fixtures or HVAC ducts or vents in the wall. Local building regulations require licensed professionals for these tasks.
- 6
  Measure and mark the location of any switches, sockets, fixtures and vents. Mark their locations on the drywall and make cutouts with your drywall saw. Hold the drywall against the framing and drive screws at 7-inch intervals through the drywall at each stud until the wall is covered.
- 7
  Apply a thin coat of joint compound along the wallboard seams using your drywall knife. Press a strip of drywall tape into the compound along the seams between boards. Measure the height of the wall and cut two strips of corner bead to fit the corners. Press the bead flat onto the corners. Apply a second coat of compound to the seams, and let the mud dry overnight. Apply an additional coat of compound, let it dry, then sand with medium-grit sandpaper to smooth.

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