Drywall Repair

[pikestabber]

I am repairing a damaged section of drywall leading into my basement. The repair piece will be about 1'x4' (or whatever I have to cut to go stud to stud and anchor it firmly).

My question is how do I fill the joints...? On a piece that small do I need to mess around with mesh and mud, or can I get by with just spackle in the joints?

[nofishfisherman]

Tape and mud if you want it done right.

[Bobby Bass]

Tape and mud, on a skinny patch like that I would skim coat the entire patch then you only have to feather the outside edge and sand as needed.

[NoWiser]

Yup, tape and mud.  It will likely be less work than fighting with spackle, and will do a much better job.