About Al’s Taping Tools

Since 1985, we’ve helped drywall professionals and DIYers around the world find the right tools, equipment, and expertise to get the job done right.

What started as a small operation in a garage has grown into a trusted, family-owned business serving customers not just across the United States, but worldwide. While we’ve expanded over the years, one thing has never changed: our commitment to quality products, honest service, and real-world knowledge from people who understand the drywall trade.

We’re proud to be one of the first full-service drywall tool suppliers of our kind—built specifically to give contractors access to a wide selection of tools and manufacturers all in one place.

It All Started with a Drywaller

Before Al’s Taping Tools existed, our founder, Bruce Gust, worked in the drywall trade himself. Like many contractors, Bruce spent years on jobsites experiencing firsthand the frustration of limited access to quality tools and the lack of suppliers offering a true variety of manufacturers under one roof.

At the time, drywall professionals didn’t have many options. Finding the right tool often meant settling for what was available, rather than what was best for the job.

Bruce saw a better way.

He believed contractors deserved access to a full range of professional-grade tools, backed by knowledgeable service from people who actually understood the work. That idea became the foundation of something new. In 1985, he took the leap and founded Al’s Taping Tools.

From the beginning, our mission was simple: be the first full-service store dedicated entirely to drywall tools and supplies.

How We Got Our Name

One question we’ve always heard is, “Who’s Al?”

The name traces back to a party Bruce attended where someone joked, “There are too many people here!” and playfully declared, “From now on, all the guys are Al and all the girls are Alice.” This continued back at school with everyone calling each other, "Al". The nickname stuck and followed him for years afterward.

Later, when Bruce went to open his business bank account, he needed a name. He remembered that old nickname, kept it simple, and wrote it down on the spot.

And just like that, Al’s Taping Tools was born.

From a Garage to a Worldwide Supplier

Like many small businesses, we started in a garage.

With hard work, industry experience, and a deep respect for the trade, Bruce began supplying drywall professionals with the tools they needed to get the job done right. As word spread, so did our reach. Customers began coming to us not just locally, but from across the country—and eventually from around the world.

Today, we proudly sell and ship our products worldwide, supporting contractors and builders in countless markets while still maintaining the personal service we were built on.

As demand grew, we expanded from the garage into the warehouse facility we operate from today. Even with that growth, we’ve never changed who we are.

Still Family-Owned. Still Hands-On.

Al’s Taping Tools is still a family-owned business—not a large corporation.

That matters to us, and it matters to our customers. It means when you call us, you’re not dealing with a faceless system. You’re speaking with people who know the products, understand the trade, and care about getting you the right solution.

We still believe in doing business the right way:

• Honest advice
• Fair pricing
• Real product knowledge
• Personal customer service

More Than Just Tools

We’re not just here to sell products—we’re here to help you succeed.

Whether you’re a professional contractor, a shop owner, or a DIYer tackling a home project, our goal is the same: help you find the right tools and support you every step of the way.

We offer:

• Professional drywall tools and accessories
• Automatic taping tools
• Texture equipment and supplies
• Sanding solutions
• Tool repair services

• Expert guidance from experienced staff
• Trusted brands used in the field every day

When you work with Al’s, you’re working with people who understand drywall because we’ve lived it.

Built on Relationships Since 1985

For more than four decades, we’ve built our business one customer at a time. We believe in treating people right, standing behind what we sell, and providing service that earns long-term trust—not just one-time sales.

We’re proud of where we came from, grateful for the customers who continue to support us, and excited for where we’re going.

From a garage startup in 1985 to a worldwide supplier of drywall tools and equipment, our mission remains the same:

Give our customers the tools, knowledge, and support they need to build with confidence.

Thank you for being part of the Al’s Taping Tools story.