- 1). Climb your ladder. Stretch your tape measure down to the floor and up to the ceiling. Take a measurement of the height from the floor to the surface of the ceiling plaster (or to the bottom of one of the joists, if they're exposed). Cut your 2x4 to that size on your miter saw.
- 2). Lay the cut 2x4 on the floor on its narrow edge. Set your 1x4 perpendicular to it at one end with the 2x4 at the center of the 1x4, forming a T. With your screwgun, sink three or four 2-inch wood screws through the wide side of the 1x4 and into the top of the 2x4.
- 3). Lean your homemade drywall jack next to the wall, with the horizontal span facing up. Position it so that you can reach it. Lift the piece of drywall to the ceiling, standing on a stepladder if necessary. Hold the piece against the ceiling with one arm and, with the other arm, pull the drywall jack toward you and jam it into place, so that it is wedged between the floor and piece of drywall on the ceiling.
- 4). Let the jack hold the drywall in place while you get your electronic studfinder, screwgun and drywall screws. Sink drywall screws every six inches or so along the joists, locating them with the studfinder. Once the piece is entirely secured, pull the drywall jack out and put it in position for the next piece.
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