Dlh western Drywall Repair Kit 12 Inch

A fist-sized hole in my hallway finally forced my hand. Rather than piecing together supplies aisle by aisle, I tried this all-in-one drywall repair kit from Dlh Western. After using it on two repairs—a 3-by-3-inch puncture and a larger, rough opening from a removed low-voltage box—here’s how it handled the job and where it fits.

What’s in the box

The kit is built around a 12 x 12 x 1/2-inch drywall panel, sized for common interior walls. Alongside that you get:
- Joint compound (labeled putty) in small containers
- Drywall tape
- Four wood backing strips
- Screws
- A plastic putty knife
- A sanding block
- A small cutting knife
- Step-by-step instructions

The idea is that you shouldn’t need to make a supply run or overbuy gallons of mud, a full roll of tape, or a stack of patches. For a single repair or two, that convenience is real. The only outside tool the instructions call for is a Phillips screwdriver. In practice, I found a drill driver made life easier, and I used a stud/jab saw for one cutout, but you can get by with the included knife if you’re patient and make several scores.

Setup and workflow

I started by squaring the hole with a level and the knife, tracing a patch cut from the included panel. The 1/2-inch thickness matched my wall, which is important: if you’re patching a ceiling (often 5/8-inch) or an older wall, check thickness before you commit. The wood strips serve as cleats behind the opening. I fished one through, held it with a temporary screw as a handle, and fastened it top and bottom with the included screws. That step took the most time with just a hand screwdriver, so consider a drill driver if you have one.

For the smaller hole, I used a “California patch” technique: I cut a square from the panel and peeled the gypsum from around the edges, leaving the paper face as built-in tape. The kit’s tape works fine too; the built-in-paper approach simply speeds blending on small patches.

The compound comes pre-mixed in small pots. It’s lightweight, spreads easily, and doesn’t slump off the knife. I applied a thin coat to bed the patch, added tape where needed, and skimmed a wider coat to feather the edges. After drying, I sanded lightly with the included block and did a second skim. Two coats were enough for a paint-ready finish on both repairs.

Performance and finish

The finish quality is what matters, and this is where the kit does its best work. The compound sands cleanly without clogging the block, and dust is moderate—still wear a mask. Shrinkage was minimal in thin coats, but as with any patch, don’t try to fill deep voids in one pass. The tape bonded well and didn’t bubble when I worked it into a properly thin bed of mud.

Feathering the patch is easier with a wider, stiffer knife than what’s included. The plastic knife works and won’t gouge the paper face, but it flexes more than I prefer. I would have loved a 6-inch or 8-inch metal knife for the second coat. That said, I still achieved a seamless blend after some extra sanding.

Dry times will vary with temperature and coat thickness; my first coat was sandable after a couple of hours, the second by the end of the day. If you’re on a tight timeline, keep coats thin, and don’t chase perfection on the first pass.

Component quality

• Drywall panel: Square, consistent, and true 1/2-inch. No crumbling edges out of the box.
• Compound: Lightweight, spreads smoothly, and sands predictably. The containers are a sensible size—you’re not opening a gallon just to use a cup.
• Tape: Adequate for seams and cracks. It’s generic but perfectly serviceable for a patch this size.
• Wood cleats: Straight and dry. Four pieces give you flexibility to brace a larger opening or conserve for a second job.
• Cutting knife: Sharp enough for scoring and trimming paper; less ideal for aggressive plunge cuts. Plan to score multiple passes rather than force it.
• Sanding block: Comfortable, medium-fine grit. It’s good for flattening ridges and feathering edges; you might add a finer grit if you’re picky.
• Putty knife: Usable, but the weak link. It flexes under pressure, which makes wide feathering slower.

Nothing feels premium, but nothing feels like a corner cut either. The kit is designed for a complete small repair—not outfitting a drywall crew—and the choices make sense.

Where it fits best

If you’re tackling a single patch or two, this kit hits the sweet spot: it’s faster and, in many cases, cheaper than buying full-size materials you’ll barely dent. It’s especially good for:
- Holes from accidental impacts (doorknobs, furniture, missed studs)
- Old outlet or cable box cutouts
- Small water-damage sections where the source has been fixed

The included panel caps your repair to around 12 inches square. Bigger than that, you’ll need extra material and likely want to tie into studs or larger cleats. For textured walls, you’ll also need a separate texture product—this kit gives you a smooth finish only.

Limitations and caveats

• The “screwdriver-only” claim is a bit optimistic. It’s doable, but a drill driver speeds the cleat installation and reduces the risk of tearing paper when you muscle screws by hand.
• The plastic putty knife works, but a wider, stiffer metal knife improves feathering on your second coat. If you already own one, use it.
• Wall thickness matters. The included panel is 1/2-inch; some basements, garages, and ceilings use 5/8-inch. You can shim behind a thinner patch, but matching thickness is cleaner.
• No texture solution in the box. If your wall has orange peel, knockdown, or heavy texture, plan for an additional step.
• Not moisture-rated. Avoid bathrooms with ongoing humidity issues or anywhere near active leaks until the source is corrected.

Value

Individually buying a panel, tape, mud, knife, sanding block, screws, and cleats for a single patch usually means overbuying and spending more overall. The value here is packaging just enough of each item to finish the job, plus clear instructions that flatten the learning curve. For pros and frequent DIYers with a shop full of supplies, the kit is less compelling. For a homeowner who needs to fix a hole and move on, the math adds up.

Tips for a cleaner result

• Square the hole and match the patch. Stray shapes are harder to blend.
• Bevel patch edges slightly with your knife to accept compound.
• Keep the first coat thin—just enough to bed the tape and fill gaps.
• Step up the feathering width on each coat; think 6 inches, then 10–12 inches.
• Let it dry fully between coats, and sand with light, broad strokes to avoid divots.
• Prime before painting. Even “paint-and-primer” products benefit from a dedicated primer over fresh compound.

Safety and prep

Cutting into walls is never trivial. Before you enlarge a hole, check for wires and plumbing, especially near outlets or bathrooms. Score gradually rather than forcing the blade. Wear eye protection and a dust mask while sanding, and lay down a drop cloth to keep grit contained.

The bottom line

The Dlh Western kit takes the friction out of small drywall repairs. It bundles exactly what a one-off patch needs, the compound is easy to work, and the instructions are clear enough for a first-time repair. You sacrifice a bit in tool quality—mainly the flexy plastic knife—and the promise of “only a screwdriver” is more aspirational than ideal. But the finish I achieved was clean, the process was straightforward, and I had enough materials left to tackle a second small patch without another purchase.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for homeowners and casual DIYers who want a complete, no-guesswork solution for small to medium drywall patches up to about a foot square. It’s convenient, cost-effective for one or two repairs, and produces a paint-ready finish with minimal fuss. If you already own drywall tools or need to match thicker boards, you might prefer sourcing individual components—but for most one-off wall fixes, this kit is the simplest path to a solid, invisible repair.