| Does anyone still use that PAPER sheetrock tape?
| After reading the thread on here about the peeling tape, I was wondering
| if it was the paper stuff?
|
| I used that junk years ago, and always had problems with it coming
| loose. Then I found the mesh tape, which is some sort of plastic
| material and comes with a self adhesive. That is all I have used since.

Me, too. I wouldn't use paper tape. It doesn't
allow for enough contact through it, with the result
that the top layer can pop off in a piece. The same
problem happens with the corner beads meant for
compound. They're prone to popped off pieces
of compound if the corner is hit.

I always use mesh tape and plastering beads.
(The mesh type.) I then always use Durabond
90 for the first coat. I've found that it's as tough
as plaster of paris while still having some flexibility.
After that the regular compound only needs to
do the job of smoothing, without needing to
provide strength, which it was never designed
for.
I think most drywallers who do it fulltime use
the paper tape, though I'm not certain. I don't
understand why, other than maybe saving a few
pennies. I've seen lots of paper seams split. I
don't think I've ever seen a mesh-taped seam
split. If I have to paint over new drywalling done
by such a contractor I always use phenoseal on
the inside corners after priming, to avoid ugly
cracks later.