any suggestions for a good calking gun, or are they all basicly the same?
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bobl Volo, non valeo
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Cox brand is what ive bought, made in the UK i think. Those cheap 1.99 guns are cheap and are a pain in the @$$ to caulk with. Those cheap guns are a headache.
I've had good luck with this one made by Cox. Model is called "Chilton". There is a huge difference between the good ones and the cheapos, particularly if you squeeze thick stuff like urethanes, windshield sealants, and such. Also, when you want to get an opened tube flowing again. This Cox will burst the tube before the gun breaks or bends, plus the trigger is long for good (12:1) leverage, which is easy on the wrists if you have a lot of work to do. They do make similar models with 18:1 and 26:1 leverage, but this has been good enough for me. Smooth rod and 'zero-loss' trigger for smooth metering of material. The pair I have has held up for years, with nothing more than light oiling. This gun has no 'poke' rod, which I think is a nice feature.
I do like the convenience of the 'dripless' models for some lightweight applications, but both of the ones I have tried have broken under heavy load.
http://www.cox-applicators.com/allSpecs.asp?coxPN=41004
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I've got one similar to that (not sure if it's the same brand) and like it quite a bit. Previously had a cheap knock-off that broke in half, though. It would be nice if it had a poke rod and maybe a cam setting for "dripless".
The all-sheet-metal units vary considerably in quality. Some are decent, some lousy. Look especially for the front piece to be square to the body and stiff enough that it won't flex under pressure.
Has anyone tried one of the battery-powered models? I know farmers rave about the battery-powered grease guns.
I too have to agree on the cox guns...been using them for years. I have used the "Wexford" model with great satisfaction. Haven't been able to find them anywhere now, so thanks for the link! You can see it at the Cox homepage.
My last one (9 years of use) got broken by a homeowner, which they replaced with a $1.99 type gun! I was shocked that they could think it was the same thing! It's a caulking gun, right? Not!
Surprisingly, the model you pictured is the spitting image of the replacement I got from HD. (They must have copied it) I don't care for the fact that the barrel rotates. The cox co. claims that theirs rotates for going around corners. But, mine rotates every time you release the pressure, set it down, or whatever. I always cut the tip of tubes on an angle, making it a constant hassle to rotate it back where I had it. Plus the handles are huge! They don't need to be that stinking big. Going to order me another "Wexford" now. Thanks.
Dez
Big handles are comfortable for people with big hands.
If the cylinder turns too easily, you can tighten the retaining 'nut'. Mine starts out tight and I have to adjust after abiout a dozen or so tubes. There should be a large round washer behind the plunger, with four holes in it. Use the end of a nail punch to rotate and tighten the washer-nut. It doesn't loosen as much once you get squeeze-out from the end of the caulk tube into the back of the gun.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Ed,
Thanks for the tips on tightening, as I won't through that gun away because I paid a pretty penny for it. Still going to order a "Cox Wexford", I love that gun. The handles on the other one get in the way because they are way to long for me...I wear a size 10 glove so I don't think it's a small hand issue...just too much handle.
Peace
I have bought 15 different caulk guns to find the best small size one. The winner was the Dripless SI300. Still working on finding a good large one.
You must have more money than sense. Some are obviously el-cheapos and not worthy of taking out of the store. It shouldn't be too hard to walk into a paint store or caulking store (there's one near me) and make a reasonable decision just by playing with their samples.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
There is know way to tell, until you have a tube of caulk in one. One's that seemed to be the one, turned out not to work great. Thats why I have bought many of them. I even payed about $39 for one...now that was a waste of money.
Bobl,
That Cox one looks nice...
I checked out a couple really cool one's at the National Hardware show last year. One was a leakproof design that was very effective.
Can't remember the name, but I have a brochure @ the office. I'll try to grab it today and post back...
-Kit
The made in England Cox....
They have an economy model, mid range and a really good bullet proof one..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming....
WOW!!! What a Ride!
I used to use a Cox from HD that I didn't like.
Moved up to a yellow gun from Duron paint stores and I really like it. It releases pressure more quickly than my orange gun.
Jon Blakemore
Big difference between a Cox from England and a Cox from China...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming.... WOW!!! What a Ride!
thanks_____________________________
bobl Volo, non valeo
Someone gave me a Milwaukee cordless caulk gun. Heckuva nicely made thing but I can't for the life of me see when I'll ever use it...
Remember the cookie shooter from about 25 yrs ago? Might be time to pull it out of the attic and modify it a little...
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
I used to laugh at the concept of a pneumatic calking gun but was exposed to one at a recent job. While it saves a little muscle, it's biggest feature is that the calk absolutely stops when you release the trigger! I bought a C_H on the internet for about $20 and like it. It is small, light and very effective.
Bill
I purchased a Weller air caulk gun myself. I do alot of traffic loops for automatic gates where we sawcut a groove in the pavement, lay wire, and seal with sealant. It used to take 30 minutes to caulk by hand, and now can do one loop in about 3 minutes. I've also used it residentially, and it really does lay a nice bead once you get used to the speed.
ColeCole Dean
Dean Contracting
I have used the Dripless SI300 for about a year now. Not a real heavy user, but, when I do, I like it. Like that it releases preasure when you quit squeezing and also that it has a poker.
Can be found here - http://www.dripless.com/caulkguns3.html
Shoeman,
That's the one I checked out at the tradeshow. Nice products. They had a new one (ADS? or something like that) that was made out of some high-tech plastic. Nice feel.
-KitTechnique is proof of your seriousness. - Wallace Stevens
Log home suppliers seem to have the largest selection of real caulk guns. This is the best gun I've used. They call it light duty, but I used one for 10 years before it "walked" off, dang it.
http://www.albioneng.com/products/Product.asp?ID=94
Don't worry, we can fix that later!