Tapered or flat edge boards for skimming

[padstar]

What is easier for a plasterer to skim tapered edge boards of butt jointed flat edged boards.

Is either more prone to cracking?

 

[Alastairreid]

Flat, tapered is for taping and filling but either can be used.

 

[padstar]

should a couple of mm gap be left between boards or just fully butted up against each other if using square edged boards?

 

[Alastairreid]

2 or 3mm will be fine, fix boards at around 230mm centres.

 

[bobasd]

lightly butt them up - no gaps.
horses for courses - different types of p/b in different situations.

 

[Alastairreid]

Agree with Bob but have seen instances where the PB is so tight the seams push out.