I was using the cheap metal one for a long time. Did all the window trim with it in a 2500sqft house I'm remodeling. Hand was killing me. Then the painter brought in the best caulk gun I've ever used. So smooth, easy to apply, drippless. Could never go back.
If you are not good at caulking, you should not cut the spout down that far. That hole will let way too much caulk out too quickly. You basically want to have the smallest hole possible in the spout, then you can control the amount of caulk with your squeeze strength and your speed of movement across the surface.
It all depends on what you are doing. With a tiny tip on things like the perimeter of a bathtub with a gap ,way too much sealant goes into the void making he sealant way to thick to perform properly.
Thank you for taking the time to make a comparison video. Info is helpful and, for someone who has used cheap caulk guns entirely, it gives me some good points in looking at more expensive options. And, on a side note, I commend your professional responses to the comments on your video. Regardless of the tone or content, your response is polite.
Thank you, much appreciated. I haven't used the expensive caulk guns all that long and I can think of several times I had to really squeeze the cheap caulk guns to use it on thicker stuff like roof tar tubes. The $22 caulk gun's thrust ratio makes it a breeze.
I am glad to see this as I have never used a caulk gun and I am having trouble having enough hand strength getting the thick, exterior construction adhesive to come out. I bought a medium expense one and wondered what the difference was on the more expensive models. Thank you.
Just starting my handyman side hustle and got a caulking job; your review definitely helped with my caulking gun decision, going with the $4 version since all I am doing for now is bathroom caulking. Thank you for your review:-)
Cool, glad to hear it. A few years ago I picked up the Cramer profiling caulk tool kit. It helps shape the caulk after applying it, if needed. That's something I recommend too.
Ah thank for the comparison, been tempted to buy that HDX version(think they have two) and a more expensive one. Think I’ll go with the more expensive one to make it easier on my hand Just checked at Home Depot and did not even realize they come electric powered now lol(battery)
In 02 after I had the new house built I caulked the joints along the roof over hang. I live in the country and insects are a problem. I bought a good gun and it was a big help but I used the cheap guns for most of my life without any problems.
I used to have a problem with laying silicone, until someone showed me a fairly fool proof way of doing it, fill a spray bottle with water and a tiny squirt of dishsoap, make sure your surface is dry....over apply your silicone, spray over once with the spray bottle, then pull the excess off with a finishing tool, or you can cut the corner off an old credit card rather than buy one,wipe the excess silicone on a wet sponge......works everytime.
It’s all about the viscosity of material used. Higher thrust means more power but less material. If the average consumer does any amount of caulking jobs I would suggest a Dripless branded gun. I use a Dripless 3000 for latex and a 24:1 gun for heavier pushing.
Thrust ratio is critical to the viscosity of the material you are using - Thicker materials benefit from a higher thrust ratio. You get less out per squeeze, but the force exerted is greater which is important for things like roof tar. In that sense, the comparison wasn't really fair. If you're doing a lot of caulking, depending on the material perhaps both guns may have a place in the workshop. The cheaper gun for thinner materials and/or heavier flow to cover a longer distance more quickly, and the higher-thrust ratio, more expensive gun for heavier, thicker materials or when very fine and accurate lines are needed. Appreciate the video though. I have to seal up some roof joints myself and would rather have a higher thrust-ratio gun than the cheap one I've been using.
Thanks, you made some good points. I just used the Newborn caulk gun a few days ago and was thinking to myself that I'm glad I bought it. Someday I may try a battery powered caulk gun, just for kicks.
I do more caulking than 99% of the country ( well over 100 miles in my lifetime.I would never by a cheaper gun than a newborn.They are the lowest quality any true professional will use.The cheaper guns will nay cause you problems.
I feel control on more expensive caulking guns are far better. Also if you plan on doing a lot of caulking the cheap ones will wear your forearm and hand out in a hurry.
In my amateur DIY experience, I have learned that we can't skimp on caulking gun, level and a square. I do recommend the levels from Milwaukee and Stabila. As for square, if you can afford, get the stainless steel squares from Woodpeckers.
Awesome review, you covered everything about them! We have always just used a cheap one. But, we might have to invest a bit more in just to have that extra durability!
I bought that one too after testing this one. I also have another brand that I plan to make a video with soon. I believe it will compete with the ES3000, but we'll see...
I have the Dripless ets 2000 and it works perfect! I don't need the on/off button for dripless mode of the ets 3000. I prefer to have the dripless mode always on. So the ets 2000 is build that way. If you do another video, be sure to show the backward move of the trigger when depressing, 'cause nobody show that, and it's the key part!!!@@MarkThomasBuilder
Such a simple design, simple tool...but the results can vary so much. I've had cheap ones and my caulk runneth over. What a mess. I'm gonna try something pricier this time and hope that the flow-control is a real thing on the more expensive model.
I really notice the difference when trying to use a tube of the exterior no-sag sealant or some thick roof tar. The cheap caulk guns barely squeeze some of that out. The Newborn is a piece of cake.
Always get the higher thrust ratio ones for smother beads, easier functionality, more control, and less waste of the caulk. Hey, they cost more for a reason!
Hi, I am a beginner with DIY projects and when I went to ACE I decided to buy the more expensive gun because my thought was it would be easier for me to handle and pull back the caulking handle. I would like you to show us how to stop the caulking to stop flowing out of the tube? I used liquid nails and boy it was a mess!!! Keep in mind that I am a beginner! LOL
Yes, dripping can be an issue and even with this Newborn one. You would probably like the Ergo-Tech Dripless caulk gun. I found one at Sherwin Williams, but they're available online too. I should make a comparison on that too.
That was interesting. I bought the Ryobi One Plus call gun once mainly because it claimed to have an adjustable flow rate. That was a joke. At any speed below max it didn't have enough torque to squeeze out even the thin cheap calk. And in high speed it emptied a tube faster than I could follow the line I was calking. Needless to say I returned it.
Yes it's worth it. I don't need to watch the vid too know that. Home depot and lowes both carry higher end caulk guns. They are roughly $18. That newborn 250 is a great gun.
You are right about “ higher end” guns at the box stores. But it kinda makes me laugh a little because as a professional caulker the “ best” at the box stores are absolutely the lowest quality we would ever buy. Most of our guns start at around $50 and can go up to over $100. Or more. Just to put things in perspective.
I’m a professional caulker and those are a joke.They work by letting the shaft slip exactly what you don’t want to install a consistent bead. Sherwin-Williams is not the go to place for a good caulk gun. They deal 99% with acrylic latex. The absolute cheapest caulk that should NEVER be used for anything but paint prep. NEVER in any wet areas no matter what they claim
If you make your living with a caulk gun.. invest in yourself and get the Mac daddy caulk gun.. even the most expensive (analog) caulk gun runs you 50-60 bucks, more often less. Especially if you're pumping heavy mastics/adhesives. Being more efficient will save you 💰by using less caulk (some of that good is runs around 20$ a tube!!) And also saves you money because time=$
Yeah I’m a professional caulker ( not a painter,plumber, glazier or anyone else that THINKS they do a lot of caulking )and the top of the line at a box store is the bottom of the line that I have used in an emergency. Having said that, about 25 years ago Home Depot actually carried an Albion gun.
Not a fan of the electric ones. Haven't tried the ryobi, but I used somebody's dewalt, which I assume is better, atleast on par with the ryobi. I'm sure there's a learning curve and maybe if I used it on multiple jobs my opinion would change. It made me feel like an amateur and was wasting tons of product and couldn't get that Lil shit to stop dripping
Test is flawed. The expensive one has a shorter forward thrust compared the cheaper model. Which is why the cheaper one put more caulk out. Expensive one has more thrust but shorter throw
Great review very helpful typically I would have gone for the cheaper gun. But based on your review which was informative I know I would much prefer the more expensive caulking gun. Thanks a lot keep up the good work what works best for what job.
The cheap plastic hdx at Home Depot is the best chalk gun I've used ever! And you spent $22 on a caulk gun that's not dripless, the hdx I mentioned is dripless on all chalk but one type that I've used
I'd say the vast majority of people like dripless caulk guns, but I've heard from a few professional painters who prefer it not dripless, just a FYI. The metal HDX is an amazing value. I'll have to try the plastic one next time. Thanks for sharing!
The dripless one allows a smooth, continuous flow of caulk to come out even when you release the lever handle versus the dripless one that stops the caulk from dripping when you release the lever. When you squeeze the lever again on the dripless one it leaves a new blob of caulk that comes out again from the tube, which leaves a bumpy bead and makes the bead less smooth and less aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. That’s why most professionals prefer the dripping models over the dripless models. After all, you can stop the drip from happening on the dripping model by simply pushing the release button to stop the plunger from pushing the caulk out any way.
I do not have a caulk gun, neighbor does..he picked up the 5.oo one.. (wife had to stop him from buying expensive..I think she wears more pants then he does)...he took it back it wouldn't cut the end, got a heavier one and was see u get wat u pay for..😅...she wasn't to happy..
Really? As a professional caulker 99% of homeowners cut too small of a tip. The proper size is the size of the joint you want to end up with. Cutting a very small tip actually often leads to an inferior job. You should not comment when you actually don’t know what you are talking about.
Haven't finished the video yet (watching it now), but I'd be interested in a comparison between manual caulk guns and cordless electric ones, for example, Ryobi makes a cordless 18 volt caulk gun that a lot of people seem to think is great. Thanks for the video.
I thought so too until I needed to do multiple bottles and large area. My arms were destroyed and I bought a better gun and chucked the hdx one in my emergency bin.
@@MarkThomasBuilder I recently got the Rigid electric caulk/adhesive gun. Lots of rim joist to seal, the gun was made in Vietnam and a kit with battery & charger is $99 at Home Despot.
QUESTION OF THE DAY: How much are you willing to spend on a caulk gun? Do you need a higher thrust ratio?
A higher thrust ratio is always a plus. 😊
I was using the cheap metal one for a long time. Did all the window trim with it in a 2500sqft house I'm remodeling. Hand was killing me. Then the painter brought in the best caulk gun I've ever used. So smooth, easy to apply, drippless. Could never go back.
I found another premium one after making this video that's dripless. I agree, I'm never go back to the cheap ones.
If you are not good at caulking, you should not cut the spout down that far. That hole will let way too much caulk out too quickly. You basically want to have the smallest hole possible in the spout, then you can control the amount of caulk with your squeeze strength and your speed of movement across the surface.
Thanks man, good advice. I now prefer to use some 1 inch painters tape to help improve the look of my caulking projects.
It all depends on what you are doing. With a tiny tip on things like the perimeter of a bathtub with a gap ,way too much sealant goes into the void making he sealant way to thick to perform properly.
Thank you for taking the time to make a comparison video. Info is helpful and, for someone who has used cheap caulk guns entirely, it gives me some good points in looking at more expensive options.
And, on a side note, I commend your professional responses to the comments on your video. Regardless of the tone or content, your response is polite.
Thank you, much appreciated. I haven't used the expensive caulk guns all that long and I can think of several times I had to really squeeze the cheap caulk guns to use it on thicker stuff like roof tar tubes. The $22 caulk gun's thrust ratio makes it a breeze.
I am glad to see this as I have never used a caulk gun and I am having trouble having enough hand strength getting the thick, exterior construction adhesive to come out. I bought a medium expense one and wondered what the difference was on the more expensive models. Thank you.
You bet, glad to help.
Just starting my handyman side hustle and got a caulking job; your review definitely helped with my caulking gun decision, going with the $4 version since all I am doing for now is bathroom caulking. Thank you for your review:-)
Cool, glad to hear it. A few years ago I picked up the Cramer profiling caulk tool kit. It helps shape the caulk after applying it, if needed. That's something I recommend too.
Nothing beats quality when you use it a lot, used cheep ones and expensive ones. I would go for the 250 all day.
Same here, why waste your time with the cheap ones.
Ah thank for the comparison, been tempted to buy that HDX version(think they have two) and a more expensive one. Think I’ll go with the more expensive one to make it easier on my hand
Just checked at Home Depot and did not even realize they come electric powered now lol(battery)
Battery power is amazing, especially if you're running the big tubes for large construction project.
In 02 after I had the new house built I caulked the joints along the roof over hang. I live in the country and insects are a problem. I bought a good gun and it was a big help but I used the cheap guns for most of my life without any problems.
Nowadays, the cheap guns are pretty good overall. Since I have a choice, I'll probably go with the expensive one first.
I’ve got the m-12 caulk gun and I love it. I’ll never go back to a manual gun.
Nice!
I used to have a problem with laying silicone, until someone showed me a fairly fool proof way of doing it, fill a spray bottle with water and a tiny squirt of dishsoap, make sure your surface is dry....over apply your silicone, spray over once with the spray bottle, then pull the excess off with a finishing tool, or you can cut the corner off an old credit card rather than buy one,wipe the excess silicone on a wet sponge......works everytime.
Thanks for the advice, I'll have to try it!
These are $10 at lowes. Got one last week. Going to get a few more this weekend. Clearance item
Wow, that's a good deal. I have a new Newborn model being shipped to me next week that sounds interesting.
Excellent video, you covered everything. Thanks so much. You may not be great at caulking but sure do have a gift for demos. Thanks again!
Thanks Brianh, I appreciate that! I have a follow up video to make someday with other great products related to this.
It’s all about the viscosity of material used. Higher thrust means more power but less material. If the average consumer does any amount of caulking jobs I would suggest a Dripless branded gun. I use a Dripless 3000 for latex and a 24:1 gun for heavier pushing.
I recently purchased a dripless caulk gun from Sherwin Williams buy haven't used it yet. I'm excited to see how it compares to this one.
@@MarkThomasBuilder ETS 2000 is a 12:1 ratio. 3000 gives a 18:1.
Nice review- just what I was looking for thanks.
Thrust ratio is critical to the viscosity of the material you are using - Thicker materials benefit from a higher thrust ratio. You get less out per squeeze, but the force exerted is greater which is important for things like roof tar. In that sense, the comparison wasn't really fair. If you're doing a lot of caulking, depending on the material perhaps both guns may have a place in the workshop. The cheaper gun for thinner materials and/or heavier flow to cover a longer distance more quickly, and the higher-thrust ratio, more expensive gun for heavier, thicker materials or when very fine and accurate lines are needed. Appreciate the video though. I have to seal up some roof joints myself and would rather have a higher thrust-ratio gun than the cheap one I've been using.
Thanks, you made some good points. I just used the Newborn caulk gun a few days ago and was thinking to myself that I'm glad I bought it. Someday I may try a battery powered caulk gun, just for kicks.
I do more caulking than 99% of the country ( well over 100 miles in my lifetime.I would never by a cheaper gun than a newborn.They are the lowest quality any true professional will use.The cheaper guns will nay cause you problems.
I feel control on more expensive caulking guns are far better. Also if you plan on doing a lot of caulking the cheap ones will wear your forearm and hand out in a hurry.
Good point. I have a couple high end caulk guns now. I should make an updated video.
Nice1..Mark & thank u
You bet!
In my amateur DIY experience, I have learned that we can't skimp on caulking gun, level and a square. I do recommend the levels from Milwaukee and Stabila. As for square, if you can afford, get the stainless steel squares from Woodpeckers.
Great advice! I'm hoping to pick up some Woodpecker squares sometime soon.
Awesome review, you covered everything about them! We have always just used a cheap one. But, we might have to invest a bit more in just to have that extra durability!
Thanks, glad it was helpful!
Dripless ES3000 all the way!
I bought that one too after testing this one. I also have another brand that I plan to make a video with soon. I believe it will compete with the ES3000, but we'll see...
I have the Dripless ets 2000 and it works perfect! I don't need the on/off button for dripless mode of the ets 3000. I prefer to have the dripless mode always on. So the ets 2000 is build that way.
If you do another video, be sure to show the backward move of the trigger when depressing, 'cause nobody show that, and it's the key part!!!@@MarkThomasBuilder
Such a simple design, simple tool...but the results can vary so much. I've had cheap ones and my caulk runneth over. What a mess. I'm gonna try something pricier this time and hope that the flow-control is a real thing on the more expensive model.
I really notice the difference when trying to use a tube of the exterior no-sag sealant or some thick roof tar. The cheap caulk guns barely squeeze some of that out. The Newborn is a piece of cake.
Always get the higher thrust ratio ones for smother beads, easier functionality, more control, and less waste of the caulk. Hey, they cost more for a reason!
My girlfriend thought the puncture rod was a guide rod and couldn't figure out how to work it while caulking it was fun to watch
Haha, I could see how that could be confusing to someone new to it.
Thanks for sharing
You bet!
The 22 dollar is awesome i got the battery Dewalt caulk gun for laying sub floor when framing and that is a game changer
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm looking at a couple battery powered ones and will consider Dewalt.
Hi, I am a beginner with DIY projects and when I went to ACE I decided to buy the more expensive gun because my thought was it would be easier for me to handle and pull back the caulking handle.
I would like you to show us how to stop the caulking to stop flowing out of the tube? I used liquid nails and boy it was a mess!!! Keep in mind that I am a beginner! LOL
Yes, dripping can be an issue and even with this Newborn one. You would probably like the Ergo-Tech Dripless caulk gun. I found one at Sherwin Williams, but they're available online too. I should make a comparison on that too.
@@MarkThomasBuilder yes, it would be nice especially for us beginners.
That was interesting.
I bought the Ryobi One Plus call gun once mainly because it claimed to have an adjustable flow rate. That was a joke. At any speed below max it didn't have enough torque to squeeze out even the thin cheap calk. And in high speed it emptied a tube faster than I could follow the line I was calking. Needless to say I returned it.
Thanks for letting me know. I'm wanting to try a couple battery powered ones soon.
I love vidoes like this. Thanks man. Nice charger also 🤙🏻
Thanks man, glad to hear it! 👊
Yes it's worth it. I don't need to watch the vid too know that. Home depot and lowes both carry higher end caulk guns. They are roughly $18.
That newborn 250 is a great gun.
I'm glad I bought it. I may try the trick of using painters tape to get better results.
You are right about “ higher end” guns at the box stores. But it kinda makes me laugh a little because as a professional caulker the “ best” at the box stores are absolutely the lowest quality we would ever buy. Most of our guns start at around $50 and can go up to over $100. Or more.
Just to put things in perspective.
You could’ve bought a $13 dripless gun at Sherwin-Williams and you wouldn’t have any buttons to push
I'll have to check that one out the next time I'm there.
I’m a professional caulker and those are a joke.They work by letting the shaft slip exactly what you don’t want to install a consistent bead. Sherwin-Williams is not the go to place for a good caulk gun. They deal 99% with acrylic latex. The absolute cheapest caulk that should NEVER be used for anything but paint prep. NEVER in any wet areas no matter what they claim
If you make your living with a caulk gun.. invest in yourself and get the Mac daddy caulk gun.. even the most expensive (analog) caulk gun runs you 50-60 bucks, more often less. Especially if you're pumping heavy mastics/adhesives. Being more efficient will save you 💰by using less caulk (some of that good is runs around 20$ a tube!!) And also saves you money because time=$
I'm glad I upgraded from the $3 one. The one trick I'm using more often right now is painters tape while using caulk. It make the finish look amazing.
Yeah I’m a professional caulker ( not a painter,plumber, glazier or anyone else that THINKS they do a lot of caulking )and the top of the line at a box store is the bottom of the line that I have used in an emergency. Having said that, about 25 years ago Home Depot actually carried an Albion gun.
Excellent vid. Try the ryobi gun. It's cheap and u will never use manual again.
Will do. That video will be out soon.
Not a fan of the electric ones. Haven't tried the ryobi, but I used somebody's dewalt, which I assume is better, atleast on par with the ryobi.
I'm sure there's a learning curve and maybe if I used it on multiple jobs my opinion would change. It made me feel like an amateur and was wasting tons of product and couldn't get that Lil shit to stop dripping
Test is flawed. The expensive one has a shorter forward thrust compared the cheaper model. Which is why the cheaper one put more caulk out. Expensive one has more thrust but shorter throw
Yes
Thanks Mark😎🛠️😎🛠️😎
You bet! 👊
Good comparison -- thanks. Is there any way to determine the thrust ratio of a gun (I've noticed that that information is often not listed)?
Thank you! I don't know how it gets determined. I've found the information advertised on the caulk gun label or online.
Thank you.
You're welcome!
Great review very helpful typically I would have gone for the cheaper gun. But based on your review which was informative I know I would much prefer the more expensive caulking gun.
Thanks a lot keep up the good work what works best for what job.
Thanks, it's just a nice smooth caulk gun. Hope it works well for you!
18:1 seems like the sweet spot for all round caulking for all material? Thoughts?
Yes, 18:1 is great for all around. It struggles with thicker stuff like certain roof tars.
The cheap plastic hdx at Home Depot is the best chalk gun I've used ever! And you spent $22 on a caulk gun that's not dripless, the hdx I mentioned is dripless on all chalk but one type that I've used
I'd say the vast majority of people like dripless caulk guns, but I've heard from a few professional painters who prefer it not dripless, just a FYI. The metal HDX is an amazing value. I'll have to try the plastic one next time. Thanks for sharing!
The dripless one allows a smooth, continuous flow of caulk to come out even when you release the lever handle versus the dripless one that stops the caulk from dripping when you release the lever. When you squeeze the lever again on the dripless one it leaves a new blob of caulk that comes out again from the tube, which leaves a bumpy bead and makes the bead less smooth and less aesthetically pleasing to the eyes. That’s why most professionals prefer the dripping models over the dripless models. After all, you can stop the drip from happening on the dripping model by simply pushing the release button to stop the plunger from pushing the caulk out any way.
That’s hilarious Best you’ve ever used. Totally laughable
Thanks for the video =)
You bet! 👍
Thanks god bless
Thank you too
GVSU?!?!? Wife graduated from there lol. Go Lakers
Awesome, Go Lakers!
Wow! Nice caulk!
Sure is!👍🤣
I do not have a caulk gun, neighbor does..he picked up the 5.oo one.. (wife had to stop him from buying expensive..I think she wears more pants then he does)...he took it back it wouldn't cut the end, got a heavier one and was see u get wat u pay for..😅...she wasn't to happy..
Sometimes more expensive is better in the long run! 😁
That explains why you have such a problem with your caulk jobs. You are cutting way too big of a hole in the tube of caulk.
Great point! I'll try and go less next time.
@@MarkThomasBuilder 😉
Really? As a professional caulker 99% of homeowners cut too small of a tip. The proper size is the size of the joint you want to end up with. Cutting a very small tip actually often leads to an inferior job. You should not comment when you actually don’t know what you are talking about.
Haven't finished the video yet (watching it now), but I'd be interested in a comparison between manual caulk guns and cordless electric ones, for example, Ryobi makes a cordless 18 volt caulk gun that a lot of people seem to think is great. Thanks for the video.
You're reading my mind, lol. I'm planning on comparing battery powered next. Thanks for the suggestion!
@@MarkThomasBuilder Looking forward to it. If I would have waited, I'd have heard you mention cordless electric ones near the end. Thanks!
J DeWitt 😁👍
the cheap gun does a good job
Yeah, you can beat the price, but there's a noticeable difference between the 2.
Nice 👍🏼
Thank you! Cheers!
That calk gun is $33 as of May 13, '24. Thanks, Bidenomics.
Ohhh yeah 😂😂😂, i think trumpet was the one sending me hise check out to everyone and giving PPP loans to companies 😂😂😂
Will a 9 oz cartridge work with the 250 model?
I'm not sure. I believe all the tubes of caulk are 10.1. Where do you find the 9oz ones?
@@MarkThomasBuilder on the liquid nails website they have 9oz tubes
I'm cheap, $3 one suits me just fine.
Haha, I was hoping the $22 one would give me perfect caulk results. It's smooth, but still needs a steady hand.
I thought so too until I needed to do multiple bottles and large area. My arms were destroyed and I bought a better gun and chucked the hdx one in my emergency bin.
Also, just a heads up. I followed your twitter link and it says "This account doesn't exist".
Oh thanks for the info, I need to update it. I had to abbreviate it for Twitter- markthomasbldr
Just speed up 6 minutes where the real video starts, before that is just jibber jabber he thinks we care about.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind when making future videos.
@@MarkThomasBuilder well, you are a classy guy dude.
Don't shop on Amazon; support your local businesses.
Rijk energie
Nice review. Which would I choose? Neither, I would find something made outside of china. Made in Taiwan is okay unless the CCP conquers it.
I also like the Ergo-Tech, but I don't think that helps you.
@@MarkThomasBuilder I recently got the Rigid electric caulk/adhesive gun. Lots of rim joist to seal, the gun was made in Vietnam and a kit with battery & charger is $99 at Home Despot.
Caulk gun meme unfunny
Yes