From: "John Gilmer" 
Newsgroups: alt.home.repair misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: Drywall Patch Repair Problem
Date: Mon, 17 May 2004 10:29:46 -0400



>
> I would suggest using a couple of 1" x 2"s behind the whole in the
> wall.  First cut them to be longer than the hole. ...

I guess I don't understand why you feel the need to GLUE the strips.

I would use the 1x2 but just attach them with screws through the "old"
drywall.   Cut the patch to size and drive screws through the patch into the
wood strips.   Apply compounds to the screw heads and the gap between the
patch and the old stuff.   You might considered using "patching plaster"
rather than joint compound.   Use several applications and remove "high
spots" with your dry wall knife immediately after application.   The goal is
to reduce or eliminate the need for sanding.

If the "patch" is over pipes that you may have to access again in a few
years, NOT using glue will at least give you a shot of just unscrewing the
boards.  (A magnet may locate the screw heads under the compound or patch.)