OPERATION MANUAL
BAZOOKA® CONTINUOUS FLOW SYSTEM
Finish drywall projects faster than ever
before when you keep your taping tool
continuously at work on the wall while the
Bazooka® system provides a continuous flow
of compound into your choice of tools.
Unlike traditional tapers that must be loaded
and reloaded using a hand pump, Bazooka®
Continuous Flow can work continuously
without having to stop and reload.
Best of all, current Bazooka® users can move
up to Bazooka® Continuous Flow with
minimal training.
Ames® Taping Tools - The World’s
A HIGH-VOLUME PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEM
Leading Provider of Drywall
Finishing Tools & Services
As the world’s leading provider of drywall
finishing tools and services, Ames® continues
to advance the needs of the industry through
product innovation, market development and
service delivery. Our Bazooka® taping and
finishing tools are the most advanced and
efficient tool systems used by the drywall
industry today.
Ames® also has the industry’s largest retail
operation, delivering drywall finishing tools
and services through a network of companyowned and franchise operations in the fastestgrowing residential and commercial
construction markets in the U.S. and Canada.
© 2011 AMES TAPING TOOLS
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The following warnings are for the setup, use, grounding, maintenance and repair of this equipment. The exclamation
ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD
This equipment must be grounded. Improper grounding, setup, or usage of the system can cause electric shock.
• Turn off and disconnect power cord before servicing equipment.
• Use only grounded electrical outlets.
• Use only 3-wire extension cords.
• Ensure ground prongs are intact on power and extension cords.
• Do not expose to rain. Store indoors.
SKIN INJECTION HAZARD
High-pressure fluid from dispensing device, hose leaks or ruptured components will pierce skin. This may look
like just a cut, but it is a serious injury than can result in amputation. Get immediate surgical treatment.
• Engage trigger lock when not dispensing.
• Do not point dispensing device at anyone or at any part of the body.
• Do not put your hand over the fluid outlet.
• Do not stop or deflect leaks with your hand, body, glove, or rag.
• Follow the Pressure Relief Procedure when you stop dispensing and before cleaning, checking, or servicing
equipment.
• Tighten all fluid connections before operating the equipment.
• Check hoses and couplings daily. Replace worn or damaged parts immediately.
FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD
Flammable fumes, such as solvent and paint fumes, in work area can ignite or explode. To help prevent fire and
explosion:
• Do not dispense flammable or combustible materials near an open flame or sources of ignition such as
cigarettes, motors, and electrical equipment.
• Material or solvent flowing through the equipment is able to result in static electricity. Static electricity
creates a risk of fire or explosion in the presence of material or solvent fumes. All parts of the system,
including the pump, hose assembly, dispenser, and objects in and around the work area shall be properly
grounded to protect against static discharge and sparks. Use Graco® conductive or grounded high-pressure
airless material hoses.
• Verify that all containers and collection systems are grounded to prevent static discharge.
• Connect to a grounded outlet and use grounded extension cords. Do not use a 3-to-2 adapter.
• Do not use a material or a solvent containing halogenated hydrocarbons.
• Keep work area well ventilated. Keep a good supply of fresh air moving through the area. Keep pump
assembly in a well ventilated area.
• Do not smoke in the work area.
• Do not operate light switches, engines, or similar spark producing products in the work area.
• Keep area clean and free of material or solvent containers, rags, and other flammable materials.
• Know the contents of the materials and solvents being dispensed. Read all Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS) and container labels provided with the materials and solvents. Follow the materials and solvents
manufacturer’s safety instructions.
• Fire extinguisher equipment shall be present and working.
• Drywall feed and pump generates sparks. When flammable liquid is used in or near the drywall feed pump
or for flushing or cleaning, keep unit at least 20 feet (6 m) away from explosive vapors.
point symbol alters you to a general warning and the hazard symbols refer to procedure-specific risks. When these
symbols appear in the body of this manual, refer back to these Warnings. Product-specific hazard symbols and warnings
not covered in this section may appear throughout the body of this manual where applicable.
© 2011 AMES TAPING TOOLS
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MOVING PARTS HAZARD
Moving parts can pinch, cut or amputate fingers and other body parts.
• Keep clear of moving parts.
• Do not operate equipment with protective guards and covers removed.
• Pressurized equipment can start without warning. Before checking, moving, or servicing equipment, follow
the Pressure Relief Procedure and disconnect all power sources.
EQUIPMENT MISUSE HAZARD
Misuse can cause death or serious injury.
• Always wear appropriate gloves, eye protection, and a respirator or mask when dispensing.
• Do not operate or dispense near children. Keep children away from equipment at all times.
• Do not overreach or stand on an unstable support. Keep effective footing and balance at all times.
• Stay alert and watch what you are doing.
• Do not leave the unit energized or under pressure while unattended. When the unit is not in use, turn off
the unit and follow the Pressure Relief Procedure for turning off the unit.
• Do not operate the unit when fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Do not kink or over-bend the hose.
• Do not expose the hose to temperatures or to pressures in excess of those specified by Graco®.
• Do not use the hose as a strength member to pull or lift the equipment.
PRESSURIZED ALUMINUM PARTS HAZARD
Use of fluids that are incompatible with aluminum in pressurized equipment can cause serious chemical reaction
and equipment rupture. Failure to follow this warning can result in death, serious injury, or property damage.
• Do not use 1,1,1 – trichloroethane, methylene chloride, other halogenated hydrocarbon solvents or fluids
containing such solvents.
• Many other fluids may contain chemicals that can react with aluminum. Contact your material supplier for
compatibility.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
You must wear appropriate protective equipment when operating, servicing, or when in the operating area of
the equipment to help protect you from serious injury, including eye injury, hearing loss, inhalation of toxic
fumes, and burns. This equipment includes, but is not limited to:
• Protective eyewear and hearing protection.
• Respirators, protective clothing, and gloves as recommended by the fluid and solvent manufacturer.
© 2011 AMES TAPING TOOLS
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COMPONENT IDENTIFICATION
© 2011 AMES TAPING TOOLS
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BAZOOKA® PAGE
• General 6-8
• Operation 9-11
• Maintenance 11-12
FLAT FINISHER BOX PAGE
USING FINISHING TOOLS
• General 13-15
• Operation 16
• Maintenance 17
CORNER TOOL HANDLE PAGE
• General 18-19
• Operation 19-20
• Maintenance 20
© 2011 AMES TAPING TOOLS
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BAZOOKA®
The taping process using the Bazooka® Continuous Flow Taper.
There are three important facts you should remember about the Bazooka® Continuous Flow Taper:
• Current automatic taper users can move up to Bazooka® Continuous Flow with minimal training – the tools are
almost identical!
• It simultaneously applies tape and joint compound to any wall joint and will cut the tape to the desired length.
• Unlike traditional tapers that must be loaded and reloaded using a hand pump, Bazooka® Continuous Flow can
work continuously without having to stop and reload.
GENERAL:
1. The Bazooka® Continuous Flow Taper is designed to work with tape that is 2-1/16 to 2-1/8” wide. Wider tape will
bind and narrower tape may have a tendency to jam.
2. The taper is used in conjunction with the inline mechanical valve.
3. Connect them by installing the quick disconnect pilot fitting into the
connection on the end of the taper.
Attach taper to inline
mechanical valve
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© 2011 AMES TAPING TOOLS
4. Align the valve so that the trigger lines up with the tape spool.
Secure by tightening the clamp nut.
5. The creaser trigger is attached to the valve using the clevis pin.
6. The range of the creaser trigger may be adjusted by threading the
nut in or out.
7. The hose can now be connected to the open end of the valve, similar
to the way that the valve was attached to the taper.
BAZOOKA® (cont’d)
8. Install a roll of drywall tape onto the spool mount of the taper so
that it will unwind clockwise as you look at the roll.
9. Secure the roll by looping the keeper into the slot on the spool post
and inserting the anchor into the receptacle on the spool mount.
10. Feed the tape through the tape guide with the back side of the tape
facing away from you so that the curl of the tape will go over the
main wheel of the taper.
11. Advance a tab of tape over the main wheel of the taper.
Tape curls over
the taper wheel
Tape guide
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© 2011 AMES TAPING TOOLS
BAZOOKA® (cont’d)
12. The taper is operated by placing one hand on the inline mechanical
valve, controlling the compound flow, and the other hand on the
taper control tube, controlling tape advancing and cutting.
13. Normally, the control tube is held at the top most end of its stroke
during taper operation.
14. The spring loaded creaser wheel may also be retracted temporarily
by operating the creaser trigger with the hand on the inline
mechanical valve.
15. If the lever is used, it is released once the taper is positioned so that
the valve lever can be operated.
16. During normal operation, the creaser is extended and always
applying some amount of pressure to seat the tape onto the wall.
17. The flow of material from the pump to the taper is actuated by fully
squeezing the valve lever.
Start compound flow
by fully squeezing the
valve lever
18. Joint compound will flow through the hose, into the taper and onto
the exposed tab of tape.
19. You are now ready to tape your first joint. An additional tape
advance may be helpful for starting some joints, especially ceiling
and ceiling angles.
20. The operator must ensure the proper amount of compound is
dispensed onto the tape by matching the speed of the taper head
with the flow of material from the pump.
21. For best results, the operator will need to ensure that the head of
the tool travels at a consistent speed over the full length of the
joint or excess and/or insufficient amounts of compound will result.
22. Speed can be adjusted by pressing the adjustment buttons on the
inline mechanical valve.
23. Speed cannot be increased above that set by the control knob on the
pump, but can be adjusted up and down below that setting.
Flow rate adjustments can
be made using the “+” and
“-” buttons on the inline
valve controller
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© 2011 AMES TAPING TOOLS
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