I Need a New Caulk Gun

[engineer2]

I have 3 caulk guns. 2 are pretty much worn out and I really don't like my Newborn Model III.
I don't want battery powered or pneumatic. Good old mechanical for me.
Any reliable ones?

 

[danski0224]

I have a Cox "extra thrust" caulk gun, made in England (IIRC) that is over 20 years old.

The design has since been copied and knockoffs are available at the box stores.

Also have a Tajima that works nicely.

 

[The Cobbler]

Also have a Tajima that works nicely.

I have a few of them from when I was contracting. by far the best I ever had. the fulcrum is a bit different than traditional guns, it's a bit higher? ratio... as a result a bit harder to push/more volume per travel but once we were used to it it was our go to gun

 

[signcrafter]

I have half a dozen or so of the 10oz and a handful of the larger ones. The tajima are good ones. But after getting my milwaukee gun 6-7 years ago it's rare I ever use a manual one. Added another milwaukee gun last year to have 2 of them. They are just so much nicer to use.

 

[NoahG]

Dripless ETS2000

ETS2000

Professional ETS2000 caulking gun by Dripless. Industrial-grade sealant dispenser trusted by contractors for precise, clean application. Shop now for reliabl...

dripless.com

But I do love my Milwaukee m12 caulk gun. Makes laying a smooth bead so easy.

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

Tajima seconded.

I have the 1:12? ratio for general use, they also do a 26, a switchable ratio, and others.

 

[M.Brane]

I have a RV to take care of so I got the M12. Being a guitarist I don't want carpal tunnel. Pretty happy with it.

 

[scooby074]

The dripless above. Also have a Cox with a shorter ratio for thicker products

 

[ADKAmateur]

Tajima for the win

 

[mikey03]

I didnt want a electric one either since I caulk maybe 2 or 3 times a year tbh but I heard so much great stuff about the m12 I picked it up and honestly even for a few times a year it’s worth it

 

[FigN⋅m]

Cox 18:1

little overkill for redoing the tub, but perfect for the thickness.

 

[mslim]

Another vote for Tajima

 

[shibertus]

My Tajima has been great. Some of the newer ones may no longer be made in Japan.

 

[jayemm]

I have this one from Menards. Smooth, good leverage for easy squeeze.

https://www.menards.com/main/paint/caulks-sealants/caulk-guns/masterforce-reg-9-rotating-barrel-caulk-gun/3990/p-1541140121846-c-7932.htm?srsltid=AfmBOooZGuSBVlwieY-3TlkFcV5Ob3ej2zZ3WgcOZ_C7avJOBObrKM4d

 

[Buckaroo5]

Is the Tajima model that folks like the 100-SP? Is that the standard small cartridge gun?

 

[mikey03]

Is there honestly any reason to buy a manual caulk gun other than price and if your worried the battery might die? Is there anything the manual one does better?

 

[bonneyman]

Get a contractor-grade gun like this.

HEAVY DUTY CAULK GUN 10OZ

Durable HEAVY DUTY CAULK GUN 10OZ with smooth dispensing, ergonomic design, and high-quality construction for precise, easy application on any project.

detroitdiamondtools.com

And a little tip I've learned. Smear a blob of grease around the plunger on the gun that goes into the tube to push the caulk out. All tubes invariably leak, and later after it dries it a PITA to get out so the plunger sits properly. Caulk won't stick to grease, so - after a job it's - alot easier to remove the leaked caulk before putting the gun away.

 

[tarbellb]

1 Tajima
2 Dripless
3 Albion

 

[alinc100]

Get a contractor-grade gun like this.

HEAVY DUTY CAULK GUN 10OZ

Durable HEAVY DUTY CAULK GUN 10OZ with smooth dispensing, ergonomic design, and high-quality construction for precise, easy application on any project.

detroitdiamondtools.com

And a little tip I've learned. Smear a blob of grease around the plunger on the gun that goes into the tube to push the caulk out. All tubes invariably leak, and later after it dries it a PITA to get out so the plunger sits properly. Caulk won't stick to grease, so - after a job it's - alot easier to remove the leaked caulk before putting the gun away.

Another easy way is to wrap the plunger in saran wrap, a plastic grocery bag, or the small bags in bulk food stores. Anytime we get a material/tube that is questionable we try and protect the gun/minimize clean up.

 

[reader2580]

Is there honestly any reason to buy a manual caulk gun other than price and if your worried the battery might die? Is there anything the manual one does better?

I have the M12 caulk gun. Even on the lowest setting it flows caulk too fast for most things for me. If I put it on the fastest setting I would have to run to keep up with the caulk pouring out. I find a manual caulk gun for me does a better job with less mess. The dripless thing is also annoying as it doesn't dispense caulk immediately.

It probably works pretty well for someone experienced in applying caulk who does it for a living.

 

[dscheidt]

I have the M12 caulk gun. Even on the lowest setting it flows caulk too fast for most things for me. If I put it on the fastest setting I would have to run to keep up with the caulk pouring out. I find a manual caulk gun for me does a better job with less mess. The dripless thing is also annoying as it doesn't dispense caulk immediately.

It probably works pretty well for someone experienced in applying caulk who does it for a living.

the electric caulk guns I've seen have all been designed around high-volume dispensing of thick sealants, as used for windshields, masonry, and construction adhesives. Dispensing these by hand is a pain, because you either have to squeeze lots or squeeze hard, or both. I know windshield installers were wiling to put up with corded (air?) caulk guns because it's such a pain. For detail application of painters caulk and grout matched caulk, the control from a low thrust manual gun is hard to beat, though it requires skill (that I don't really have...). they're also smaller, lighter, and less fragile which matters if you're working up a ladder.

 

[mike93lx]

I have the 1:12? ratio for general use, they also do a 26, a switchable ratio, and others.

Same here. I accidentally grab the 26:1 too often and it's frustrating when needing to crank out volume like subfloor adhesive