BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Buy a Caulking Gun

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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For any sealing job that requires more caulk than a little squeeze tube, you'll need a caulking gun. Here's what to look for when you buy one.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Caulking Guns
Caulking Tubes
Caulks
Silicone Caulk

Step1

Look for caulking guns at home improvement stores, hardware stores and painting supply shops.

Step2

Expect to pay between $3 and $12 for a caulking gun, depending on how heavy-duty your needs are.

Step3

Consider the most basic and inexpensive model if you don't plan on using a caulking gun often. A low-end model looks like a little tub that snuggly holds the tube of caulk or adhesive. These tend to jam and get clogged more easily than the more "professional" models.

Step4

Consider the next level in quality if dealing with clogs and other hassles will make you crazy. This type is almost entirely open in the middle, with just two rods of steel above and below the push-plate. This design makes the caulking gun easier to clean.

Step5

Look for features that make the job easier. Many models have a little swing-out piece of steel underneath that punctures the inside seal where the spout meets the tube (though this seal is usually only in cardboard tubes; plastic tubes typically don't have a seal). Look closely and you may also see a little cutter - typically inside the handle grip - which is convenient for snipping off the end of the spout.

Step6

Satisfy your fanatic side (or make your life much easier if you have a lot of caulking to do) by buying a caulking gun powered by an air compressor or small electric motor. These are nice units, but for delicate work, nothing beats the human hand.

Tips & Warnings

You don't have to spend a lot of money to buy an effective caulking gun - although you certainly can if you want to.
If you have a tremendous amount of work to do - such as gluing down sub-flooring - the more common types of caulk or adhesive come in very large tubes, and have caulking guns made just for them. Expect to pay up to $20 for these.
Use your caulking gun for both sealing with caulk and applying adhesive.

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Comments

Snarls1234 said

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on 6/18/2008 I have done my fair share of caulking and I must say that hands down, the manufacturer who has the most models to choose from and has the best features and ease of use are Newborn. They have a full range from cheap throw-aways to high-end for thick material. Don't be fooled that a caulk gun is just a caulk gun - these guys have been around for over 30 years and know what they're doing.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I'm a painter and use all kinds of caulk guns all the time. I've tried guns across all price ranges and you would be surprised by how little price has to do with how well they work/last.

With regard to what makes a gun easy to use, the most important thing is that it must be a "dripless" gun, or the caulk will continue to run out of the gun slowly even after the trigger has been released. Dripless guns take a slight amount of pressure off of the piston inside the tube when the trigger is released. Many guns are not dripless and they are no more expensive.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Invest a little more ... The cheap ones will pinch your hands, or will be difficult to
uncock quickly. A caulking gun compressed too hard will flow quickly, depending on the caulk type and consistency, and make a big mess.