How to Shape Steel Studs Around Irregular Corners

  • 1-2 hours
  • Beginner
  • 50-150
What You'll Need
Smaller steel studs
Hammer
Plaster
Putty knife
Scraper
Tin snips
What You'll Need
Smaller steel studs
Hammer
Plaster
Putty knife
Scraper
Tin snips

Shaping steel studs can be a difficult task, especially when it comes to those irregular corners. If this is something that you have to do for your next home project, here are a few different materials and tools that you may need, along with the steps to help guide you through.

Step 1 - Use a Hammer

The first thing that you might want to consider when you have to work the steel studs into more irregular corners is using a hammer. A hammer can help to shape them around while still allowing them to serve their purpose, but also making them more efficient and sightly. Once you have them lined up on one of the ends at least, you can use the hammer to help bend it around the corner.

Shaping with a hammer can work, but you also have to be really careful so that you don't end up hitting it or bending the wrong way or harming the wall or corner at all. You will have to do some damage control and probably end up removing them completely if it comes to that. So carefully work the hammer around the steel stud to allow it to fit snugly.

Step 2 - Cover the Studs

If you find that after hammering, they still are unsightly, you can try to plaster parts of the steel studs so that you don't have to look at it. Do this by first installing the steel studs and the following step one and then moving on to plastering around them. You can mix the plaster and then use a putty knife to mold around the steel stud so that it fits properly. You will want to keep a clean, warm and damp wash cloth around to wipe up as you go along in case you do make any mistakes. Also, be sure to use the knife to help shape it so it doesn't look messy or unprofessional.

Step 3 - Cut Them

Using tin snips to cut the steel studs is a great way to be able to shape them and use them, but also so that they fit when you come to an oddly shaped corner. You can start out by measuring the area and using them without attaching them to try and map out how they will fit. Once you have done that, you can cut them out to piece them together so that they can bend and shape around the corner without actually having to alter them yourself.

Be sure that you fit the pieces together before you actually attach them to the corner so that you don't have to take them off and put them on several times. This can waste time as well as harm the wall in the end.

Each of these solutions can help you with irregular corners. You may want to evaluate your specific situation before deciding which is best for you.