Good Quality Caulking Gun?

[Gregg33]

Is there a high quality (read not off-shore) caulking gun available? I frequent used tool stores, Kijiji etc, as well as building centers and I have yet to see anything but offshore junk. I'm guessing years ago there were no caulking tubes/ guns, so that's why there is nothing good used? For the record the type of gun I'm talking about is the regular size gun, not the larger commercial size type or the one that dispenses "sausage tubes".

 

[Burgerkong]

I know you said not offshore, but I have used this one and I quite like it. Well built, thought I suppose you could always get a Hilti.

http://www.homedepot.ca/product/9-inch-heavy-duty-and-professional-caulk-gun/968082

 

[Ratsofftoya]

Hilti's probably the import "offshore" German ****!! Just kidding

 

[greasemonkey44]

i bought a work force professional that is amazing; 100X better than the five dollar ones
still chinese tho

 

[SMKS]

Yes, there is a caulk gun company that makes guns in the first world.

Cox Applicators is the compay:
http://www.cox-applicators.com/

They have applicators ranging from affordable DIY guns to high-end models.

I recently bought a new 21001 on ebay for under $10. They're also available from other retailers. On mine there was a tag that says it was "Proudly assembled in Michigan" and the parts are stamped "Made in U.K."

Assembled in the US of British parts and affordable is a good enough combo for me.

 

[ArcStyles]

http://www.tajimatool.com/products/caulkguns/convoy_super/view.php?page=all

The best I have used for $20. Built like a tank with the touch of a brain surgeon.

 

[Gregg33]

Yes, there is a caulk gun company that makes guns in the first world.

Cox Applicators is the compay:
http://www.cox-applicators.com/

They have applicators ranging from affordable DIY guns to high-end models.

I recently bought a new 21001 on ebay for under $10. They're also available from other retailers. On mine there was a tag that says it was "Proudly assembled in Michigan" and the parts are stamped "Made in U.K."

Assembled in the US of British parts and affordable is a good enough combo for me.

I like that one! I checked online and a Cox is available at a local RONA for $41. Not cheap, but it'll probably last a lifetime!

 

[danski0224]

Yes, there is a caulk gun company that makes guns in the first world.

+1

I spent ~$30 on their high thrust caulk gun over 10 years ago, and I still own and use it.

Very smooth action.

It seems that most of the "made in China" "premium" caulk guns are copies of this one.

The only fault I have with the Cox gun is the lack of a tube seal piercing device.

 

[Ign]

What's your budget? Milwaukee makes one for the M12 series at ~$120. I'd guess it's made in China.
http://www.acetoolonline.com/Milwaukee-M12-10oz-Cordless-Caulk-Gun-Bare-Tool-p/mil-2441-20.htm

 

[cburnscrx]

i bought a work force professional that is amazing; 100X better than the five dollar ones
still chinese tho

I've got a workforce caulk gun too, and I've been using it for a long time. It's much better than most of the others in it's price range. I used it to caulk the entire exterior of my house, so I think it's seen it's fair share of mileage...I'm on 36+ tubes of caulk on just this project. Don't use the tip cutter, it's not very precise and can mutilate the tip. Utility knife is your friend. Other than that...it's great.

 

[CWP1616L]

I got one at Home Depot back in the 90's that says "Made in England" on it. It looks similar to the one Burgerkong linked to but the colors are switched around. The barrel is orange and the handle is black. High quality, but no brand name on it at all.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I got one at Home Depot back in the 90's that says "Made in England" on it. It looks similar to the one Burgerkong linked to but the colors are switched around. The barrel is orange and the handle is black. High quality, but no brand name on it at all.

I got the same one! I love it!

 

[pfctblu]

The local glass installers I know use Newborn Bros model 250 guns and loaned me one when I was glazing my storm windows last year. I liked it so much I bought my own. Came in very useful on a convertible rear glass install I did a few weeks ago using 3M window weld. The Cox guns seem very similar. Either way, offshore or not, this thing works and gives great control for finesse work.

 

[K13]

Check out auto body supply stores. They usually have high quality caulking guns for gunning out heavy seam sealers and windshield urethanes used in the collision industry.

 

[SMKS]

I got one at Home Depot back in the 90's that says "Made in England" on it. It looks similar to the one Burgerkong linked to but the colors are switched around. The barrel is orange and the handle is black. High quality, but no brand name on it at all.

It was probably made by Cox Applicators, the company I linked above.

They're based in the U.K. They have manufacturing facilities in the U.K. and in the USA.

http://www.cox-applicators.com/our-products/category/single_component

 

[91FE]

I bought a specialty Cox gun for two-part adheasive when I did solid surface countertops in my old house. It was a damn well made tool. If their regular tube guns are half as good... you can't go wrong.

 

[jameswood]

Find a professional building supplier near you and shop there instead. Concrete bldg product suppliers are usually good. Albion will last decades and give a good consistent squeeze.

 

[ADSR]

http://www.tajimatool.com/products/caulkguns/convoy_super/view.php?page=all

The best I have used for $20. Built like a tank with the touch of a brain surgeon.

Agreed. These guns are pretty damn good.

 

[rancherbill]

...and I have yet to see anything but offshore junk....

I was just re-reading the thread to see what some of the alternatives that were brought up and your initial post made me last.

Seeing we are both in Canada, ALL the caulking guns are imports. There is good and bad stuff from all countries.

The 'Pro" brands in a lot of cases are no better that the big box brands. They are just the lines that the distributors can get. We built a house, and like a good GJ guy I asked about their tools. I was surprised that MANY of their tools they got for FREE. The vapor barrier guy get free caulking guns with the purchase of acoustic sealant. IIRC correctly he gets one every 100-150 cases of caulk that he buys. The carpenters get hammer tackers every 15 cases of staples etc. Coil nailers get rebuilt for $40 if your buying nails.