Deck/Drywall Gun

[PALefty]

I am considering getting a deck/drywall gun... but would like to know a little bit more about them first. I have need for both (deck & drywall)...but the deck would be a higher priority. I have read somwhere (can't remember which board) that the new Ridgid does not have the proper clutch... and that Dewalt is still the better choice right now. Can anybody elaborate (or dispute) that? In checking out the local HD (trying to capitalize on the current sale), they sell two versions of the Dewalt. Now I know that a deck would need higher torque and lower rpm, while the drywall does not need as much torque and favors the higher rpm's. The one they have listed for $99 is 0-4000rpm/81torque (DW272) and the one they have listed for deck/drywall @ $89 is 0-2500rpm/132torque (Dw276). Based on the specs, is the DW272 bad for decks (low torque)? Likewise is the DW276 really not good for drywall due to the lower rpm? Since the RPM is listed as a range, I would assume that isn't too much of an issue.. or is it? Is this an instance where there really isn't one tool that excels in both areas and you should get one for each task?

Then I went to the dewalt site for more info... but got more confused. I also know that the metal housing is much better than the plastic one (that is an easy one). They show many models with different clutches. Some with a fancy name.. and others not so fancy. I don't know what 'clutch' is better?

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...?categoryID=48


thanks in advance,

Jeff

[scorrpio]

I would rather go for a general-purpose reversible variable-speed drill that has enough torque for screws - that is if you don't have a drill like that already. I have a 4.5amp Dewalt drill I bought 11 years ago, and it has made a lot of holes, drove a ton of screws and went through a great deal of abuse without letting me down.

I am presently installing some drywall in my home, and I bought a 4-pack of Dewalt drywall bits for like $5 - they have this dimpler cup on them, and they drive the screws perfectly - seated just right with a nice dimple. My point is: if you already have a good drill, a clutch bit is a lot more cost-effective than a dedicated screwgun.

I would consider an autofeed attachment like QuickDrive QDA158 for $25 - but not sure if it'll fit on my drill.

[jhart]

I've got an old Craftsman 14.4 volt with a clutch that I use with the dimples. Once the clutch is set right, it works perfect, and the weight of the drill is about right for me also. Have tried using it with My Ryobi 18 V, but just don't get the same feel.

Unless you're planning on doing a lot of screw driving, it seems hard to justify. If you were a professional, using it everyday, it would probably be worth the price.

[PALefty]

Thanks for your responses. I am suprised nobody had anything good to say about them. I guess I read more positive reviews on other sites that led me to believe they were much better than a drill for the intended purpose. I don't see $99 as that big of an investment if it saves me tons of time and effort on my deck. If I used my drill, I would need/want to buy a proper attachment for it anyway. Any more experiences would be appreciated...

[hobkirk]

This probably won't help, but it might be food for your thought process since you're willing to buy a special purpose tool.

Tonight I bought a used Senco DuraSpin with a DeWalt drill via Craig's List. It features an extension so I can do a floor or deck somewhat upright (or avoid an hour or two on my knees) and an autofeed mechanism (I am lazy, lazy...). I don't know what things like this cost new, so maybe the cost makes the issue moot - but it seemed worth mentioning.

Good luck.

[TheRic]

I helped my brother put up some drywall. He had a Drywall Screw Gun. I'll say it was NICE. I put up a lot of drywall (over time) with a drill & drywall bit, it's just not the same.

Would I spend $100 on the Screw Gun to put up 2 sheets, heck NO. Would I spend $100 to put up 200 Sheets, yes. Where is the middle point, that varies by user. The drywall Screw Gun was nice (don’t know what brand, he got it used, about 3 times down), but there is very little purpose that I can think of other than screwing drywall.

The RPM has a range because it's variable speed (goes faster more you pull the trigger), like a lot of drills now. Having a lower RPM for drywall is not wrong, it just takes longer per screw (we are talking fractions of seconds).

Look at it this way if it takes 20 revolutions to get the screw in the drywall, and one drill top speed it 2500 rpm, the other 4000 rpm. We are talking the difference of .5 sec to 1.25 sec. If you are putting in 1,000 screws you will save yourself 12.5 minutes. Take into account how much time it takes to reach for another screw, align the screw where you want it, pull trigger, move to next spot, etc. How much are you really saving.

[jarhead]

Would I spend $100 on the Screw Gun to put up 2 sheets, heck NO. Would I spend $100 to put up 200 Sheets, yes. Where is the middle point, that varies by user.

For a one time job, I would also consider the one from HF currently on sale for $30.

[scorrpio]

I will reiterate - if you have a quality drill with enough oomph to drive screws, and you are not a pro who puts up drywall daily, a dedicated drywall screwgun is, IMO, not worth it. And if I WERE a pro, I would rather consider something like that $270 Makita that is cordless and has autofeed.

One thing, though, is I believe you need to develop a 'feel' for the drill in order to find the optimal speed driving a screw - and over 11 yeas of using the same drill, it is like an extension of my own arm.