[juanbenae]

sheetrock tape and texture is another one of those things that you will be good at right about the time you finish. agreed on a wide ace trowel for joint taping work. also get one of those pole sanders with the mesh material for sanding. mix a little water in the joint compound, and i would buy one of those drill attached mixer deals to mix the mud up a bit. i used the "topping" type joint compound early on, its thinner, sands a little easier and spreads like butter. also the mesh type joint tape is easier for beginners, less likely to get air trapped under your tape.

i agree with thom on the texture and the dust. once you get the walls taped and sanded flat you can mix a real thin batch of joint compound and drag a trowel foo across all the paper areas remaining after the tape work. another quick sand and you should have garage grade "smooth wall".

good luck,

T$