pneumatic vs cordless caulk guns

[rossn]

Does anyone have experience with both pneumatic and cordless caulk guns?

I've used a Ryobi cordless before, and it worked pretty well, but have trouble stomaching $220 for the Makita edition (if I keep in my existing system). I see the pneumatic ones are a lot less money, but concerned they may not offer similar level of control.

 

[ItsNemo]

Would seem pneumatic would be very inconvenient with an air hose to lug around...most of the caulking jobs I've done are in bathrooms, finish trim, etc. unless you're using it for RTV or glue or something in the garage?

 

[LeeG]

A few years ago I filled all the gaps between the wall and the pilasters with clear silicon caulk. I started out with a cheap pneumatic unit. It didn't have great control, and used a ton of air. I picked up a Milwaukee M12 cordless caulk gun, and have used it quite a bit. I really like the way you can lay down a long seam perfectly, even when you don't do it often.

For me, the answer is cordless. Perhaps a better pneumatic unit than the Harbor Freight I bought would perform better, but for me it is cordless, hands down.

It will depend on what type of material you are dispensing. Some of the high viscous adhesives or sealants might not perform well on a smaller cordless.

 

[The Cobbler]

I use a pneumatic on baseboard sometimes, but we already have a compressor & hose at the job. a bit bulky but once you get the pressure set and get a rhythm going, it's fast. we use one guy to caulk & second guy to finger and a light weight 1/4" hose

 

[rossn]

thanks for the feedback. I'm just one guy doing a 2500sq ft remodel, but have windows, air sealing, baseboards, and can't think of doing that by hand. Don't mind managing the hose, but if it offers a lot less control, then that is where I'd probably shy away. Any thoughts on that, cobbler? It sounds like pneumatic may be better for a two person team and definitely not good control on the cheaper ones.

I can stomach a few hundred $ on a saw, etc -- but the though of that much on a caulk gun is a little painful.

 

[The Cobbler]

I got a gun made in Italy off of ebay, brand new and it wasn't terribly expensive. Originally I think it was made for auto glass installers to pump the urethane . to adjust I have a small regulator at the gun to adjust the pressure, and once you get that set it's pretty consistent. (assuming the same caulk and same size opening on tube ) obviously a thicker or thinner materiel or opening will need to adjust accordingly.
we have a lightweight 1/4" hose for trimming and it's not really cumbersome.
takes a bit oif getting used to , but on larger jobs its fantastic. for a few feet of trim, I'd stick with the hand pump guns . and honestly, we use the hand guns a lot more LOL

 

[rossn]

Thanks, Cobbler. In my case, I'd guess I have at least 75 tubes of caulking... there is a lot to air seal, fire block, etc.

 

[rlitman]

The Milwaukee M12 is $170 WITH a battery and charger. You're comparing the Makita 18V gun, which I would say is a mistake.

I have a Milwaukee M18 caulk gun. In my case, I bought it to dispense windshield adhesive. The M12 is not always capable of that (particularly in the cold), with just 400lbs of pushing force. My M18 can deliver 950lbs of force, which is easily enough to burst tubes if the nozzle is clogged, or if you're trying to dispense construction adhesive too quickly out of too small a hole (ask me how I know this...).

Anyway, the 18V caulk guns fit a need (for adhesives so thick that they cannot be dispensed from a hand powered gun), but for caulk, the 12V guns are the best. 18V versions are heavy and cumbersome in comparison.

I don't know about the Makita line, but current Milwaukee versions have both a variable speed limit knob, plus a variable trigger. The best feature (which you really don't get in pneumatic) is the auto-reverse. When you release the trigger, the motor backs up to prevent dripping.

edit:
Looks like the Makita 12V claims 1100lbs of force, has the dial and variable trigger and dripless reverse, AND has a light to boot. But the bare tool is $160. Do you have 12V max Makita batteries?

 

[The Cobbler]

here's one by Astro pneumatic , they are a respectable company https://www.ebay.com/itm/Astro-Pneu...840968&hash=item5d47aa10d6:g:6UkAAOxygPtSv3Pf

 

[rossn]

Understood the 12V might be better for my application than the 18V. The thing is... all I have is the 18V Makita system... so do I pay more or buy into another system to worry about replacing batteries, or give pneumatic a shot. I do like that on the Makita 18V you can do a 29oz barrel or a sausage barrel, but really not considered necessary. Hmmm...

 

[rossn]

At $27, it might be worth a shot. Similar item with mixed, but mostly positive reviews at https://www.homedepot.com/p/SPEEDWAY-Pro-Pneumatic-Caulk-Gun-53235/206762426

 

[rossn]

And I guess this is option 3: https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-1...-Battery-and-18-Volt-Charger-P310KN/307850342

I actually used an older version of this... just seems like a one-use item, given the battery will die over time from lack of use. Too bad someone doesn't make a straight electric version.

 

[The Cobbler]

the trick ( I think) to it all working without difficulty is a reg at the tool so you can easily adjust the pressure.
now what gets me is the 6 cfm air requirement. that seems very high , unless it's a misprint

 

[rlitman]

Understood the 12V might be better for my application than the 18V. The thing is... all I have is the 18V Makita system... so do I pay more or buy into another system to worry about replacing batteries, or give pneumatic a shot. I do like that on the Makita 18V you can do a 29oz barrel or a sausage barrel, but really not considered necessary. Hmmm...

Well, as I said, you can get a Milwaukee M12 with battery and charger for $50 less than the Makita 18v max bare tool. But I suppose if you're running a lot of tubes in a short time, you'll need more batteries.

the trick ( I think) to it all working without difficulty is a reg at the tool so you can easily adjust the pressure.
now what gets me is the 6 cfm air requirement. that seems very high , unless it's a misprint

6CFM does seem way high.

Yes, a regulator right at the tool would make a world of difference in controllability. Something like what you'd use on a HVLP spray gun. But it's got to be a REAL regulator, and not one of those variable flow valves.

This, for instance is NOT a regulator, so don't be fooled by this ****:

This is, and would be just the ticket:
https://www.harborfreight.com/150-psi-air-compressor-regulator-kit-with-dial-gauge-68223.html

There are some really nice inline options too:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008ZE1Q7Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[like2wheel]

Thanks, Cobbler. In my case, I'd guess I have at least 75 tubes of caulking... there is a lot to air seal, fire block, etc.

If I had 75 tubes of caulk to dispense, I'm buying whatever tool makes my life easier & considering selling it for 1/2ish when I'm done.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Just get the Ryobi

 

[Handyandy23]

Well, as I said, you can get a Milwaukee M12 with battery and charger for $50 less than the Makita 18v max bare tool. But I suppose if you're running a lot of tubes in a short time, you'll need more batteries.

This is the route I would go. Still cheaper for the M12 with the battery and charger than the Makita 18V version, even if you bought a second battery you'd still probably be about even.

And I'm personally intrigued by some of the unique M12 offerings so I wouldn't mind being able to open up the door to more tool options. I avoid adding new battery system if it's going to cost me more money, but if you can have access to a second (and more compact) system for the same or less money as the alternative, seems like a win win.

 

[rlitman]

This is the route I would go. Still cheaper for the M12 with the battery and charger than the Makita 18V version, even if you bought a second battery you'd still probably be about even.

And I'm personally intrigued by some of the unique M12 offerings so I wouldn't mind being able to open up the door to more tool options. I avoid adding new battery system if it's going to cost me more money, but if you can have access to a second (and more compact) system for the same or less money as the alternative, seems like a win win.

If you want to go cheap, compatible 12V batteries from Chinese sources run around $20. At that point, you could have an M12 tool, one real battery plus two no-names, and still an extra $10 in your pocket. And three batteries will dispense all that caulk as fast as you can gun it, so long as you always have one in the charger.

 

[Plump]

Got his one on Amazon and love it! The trigger ***** as designed but it only takes once for you to pinch your finger to change your grip. Hasn't been a problem since.

Air Powered Caulk Gun with Easy-Pull Shut-Off Valve (Campbell Hausfeld PL155800AV)

 

[jgromada]

I just bought a Ryobi caulk gun. I didn't care to start another brand of batteries & chargers so i got a DeWalt to Ryobi battery adapter off eBay. Both work great! The Ryobi can provide a more even stream of caulk than doing it manually that is for certain.

I have a compressor but don't want to drag cables throughout the house

 

[rossn]

Thanks everyone -- lots of good thoughts here! After some thought, I can see some practical use in the future for also dispensing quart sized tubes of driveway crack sealant, etc -- so I decided that was an important decision factor.

I had a battery-less dewalt pex expandeer that I had not opened yet and was going to sell after the remodel. I basically decided to sell/return that and found the Milwaukee M12 refurbished model for not much more with two batteries and charger. I am going to buy the Milwaukee M12 caulk gun for around $120 and can buy the quart adapter for about $30.

Thanks to all for the good ideas and turning me on to looking closer at the M12 line!