Handy Caulking Guns. Manual, Cordless, and Pneumatic

Last updated: 30 Oct 2024

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If you have DIY projects to complete or need to seal any leaks, you might be looking for a sealant. However, simply finding a sealant won’t help if you don’t have the right tool to apply it with. Sealants, also known as caulk, are typically applied using a gun mechanism.

*We care about our readers and have compiled the best products to cater to their individual requirements. Each caulking gun has its specific advantage so keep an out for the one which is best for you.

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Recommended Caulking Gun

1. Newborn 250 – Manual Caulk Gun for Smooth Application

Newborn Brothers is a reputable and established company known for its high-quality products since the mid-20th century. The Newborn 250 is a professional-grade, high-thrust caulk gun that stands out in any collection. With a single pull of the trigger, this gun generates 18 times the force, making it ideal for high-viscosity substances like acrylic and cement, while also being suitable for thinner sealants.

The Newborn 250 caulking gun also comes with a built-in nozzle cutter on its side, as well as a belt hook at the end of its rod for convenient storage. Its revolving barrel is another excellent feature that allows for easy application at any angle. The smooth pressure rod ensures that the caulk is dispensed evenly in one smooth motion, rather than in jerky increments.

Of course, this also means the gun is not drip-free and meant for fast use otherwise you will end up wasting caulk, or you will have to invest separately and install an  anti-drip  guard. The entire build of the gun ensures durability so if you are looking for a lifelong companion, you may find one in this product.

An all-steel body with corrosion-resistant zinc handles and trigger so it will last through all kinds of conditions. The Newborn 250 is a bit heavier than other guns, but for me, it is not such a big problem.

The caulking gun not only performs its job efficiently but also provides comfort to its users. With built-in puncture and cutting tools, the gun easily tears away the seal of the cartridge, eliminating the need for users to worry about making perfectly sized holes or wasting caulk when trying to break the seal themselves.

However, investing in this sealant gun may be overkill if you are not a professional. If you are a beginner buying a cheaper model with a lower thrust ratio may be more fitting, after all, there is no point in spending more on something that you will never use to its full extent.

2. CJGQ – Sausage/Cartridge Caulking Gun for Long-Lasting Durability 

If you are looking for the ultimate caulking solution, look no further than the Newborn 250. With 18 times the force applied to the cartridge with a single trigger push, this gun can handle thicker substances like acrylic and cement as easily as it can handle thinner ones. Its versatility is unmatched, as it can accommodate different-sized cartridges ranging from 10oz to 20oz, and it’s compatible with all sides of the cartridge. Additionally, the built-in puncture and cutting tools make tearing away the cartridge seal a breeze, ensuring no wasted caulk or incorrect hole sizes.

When it comes to the use itself, this gun is a bit on the larger size and will sit a bit awkwardly in your hand. You will surely need to get used to its unusually bulky shape and hold it with a very steady hand if you don’t want caulk going everywhere as you work. But despite its size, it is light thanks to its aluminum body and won’t tire you out at all even when it is equipped with a full 20oz cartridge.

The gun also has a  360◦ rotating  handle which allows you to have perfect precision as you work in tight spots and reach the most awkward angles as you work. However, something that may affect your precision is the noise emitting from the gun as you work so you will have to keep the oil with you at all times to offer lubrication or just invest in noise-canceling headphones to keep your headspace clear as you do the job. 

3. COX 41004-XT – Manual Caulking Gun for PRO

COX is a renowned manufacturer of high-quality caulk guns and epoxy applicators worldwide. The company leads the market with its wide range of premium products, providing reliable and durable tools that satisfy its customers.

COX 41004-XT is one of its industry-leading products. It has many features and pros that make it the  best  manual caulking gun. These features include a thumb-activated instant pressure release, switchable flow control, and a built-in ladder hook. 41004-XT is a cradle manual caulking gun with a standard capacity of a 10 oz cartridge and a mechanical advantage of 18:1. It is a seal puncturing as well as a wear compensating device. Moreover, it is a composition of thick and durable material. So you can call it a beast of reliability.

You can use this manual caulking gun in doors, windows, sinks, faucets, RV, and many other applications. No doubt, it lacks a few special features that are present in many other caulking guns, such as a tip cutter. But, the presence of a seal puncture tool compensates for its absence. All in all, it is one of the most exceptional USA-made caulking guns available on the market in this price range. If you are constantly struggling with low-end caulking guns, COX 41004-XT is a worth considering device for you.

4. Belaroko 3100A – Pneumatic Caulk Gun for High-Volume Applications

Pneumatically powered and cheap as well. It sounds like a dream but Belaroko made it a reality. The 3100A uses compressed air to push caulk out in precise beads. Yes, the cord attaching the gun to the compressor will restrict your motion as you work but the lightweight feel of the gun in your hand will make up for it. Compared to  battery-operated  counterparts it has fewer costs after purchase. 

The Belaroko 3100A pneumatic gun, unlike most others, is not very durable. Its lightweight build is a drawback because the body of the gun tends to dent and crack easily. However, if you live in warm climates and don’t mind a cord limiting your movement, this gun is great for beginners and household use. One of its notable features is the anti-drip guard that stops the flow of caulk when you release the trigger, preventing any excess from coming out of the gun.

5. Makita XGC01Z – Cordless Caulking Gun

Buying from a renowned manufacturer is always a good idea because they offer warranties to back up the reliability of their claims. Makita, a market leader when it comes to hardware tools, doesn’t let us down with a one-year warranty on all its products including the Makita XGC01Z 18V LXT. 

This is our favorite battery-operated caulking gun for those who don’t like to have a cord getting in their way as they work. Of course, to use it regularly, you should be prepared to be constantly recharging batteries and replacing used ones. This caulk gun combines the ease of forcing the caulk out with an  anti-drip  mechanism to prevent over-consumption. This ensures that the moment your fingers leave the trigger, the rod will pull all the way back so not even the slightest excess pressure is placed on the cartridge. 

Makita is careful to consider user needs has made sure their gun is compatible with all sizes of cartridges and is equipped with 360◦ rotation to get into all those difficult nooks and crannies you can’t access normally. However, their customer-centric attitude fails when it comes to the trigger. The trigger is made of weak material that easily cracks under stress. 

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Caulking Guns 101: Understanding the Different Types and Features

Power Source

When it comes to using caulk guns, the type of power source can make a significant difference in the gun’s capabilities and ease of use. There are two main types of caulk gun power sources available on the market.

Pneumatic

A pneumatic power source is very unique because these guns have close to no back-end costs after the initial purchase. Lighter than battery-operated guns they are easier to use and offer more precision when working. However they must be connected to an air-compressor at all times, and the cord ends up limiting the user’s mobility. But it is undeniable that a pneumatic-powered tool is a long-term investment thanks to its durable style.

Battery Operated

As a DIYer or hardware store worker, you may prefer the extra mobility these cordless guns offer. However, they are heavier to lift and work with. You will find yourself having to put down the gun multiple times during a job due to the toll on your wrist. Not to mention the constant expenses as you run through batteries even if you use rechargeable ones. Depending on the batteries you use you can definitely limit these back-end costs.

• Nickel Cadmium 

This is a traditional battery and we have mentioned it in our run-down so you know what to stay away from. These are available cheaply so you may be motivated to buy them to limit costs but these will end up hurting your wallet more. They are heavy and end up making it even more difficult to use the gun. Not to mention they take a long time to charge but will quickly discharge, so you will find yourself taking long breaks as you wait for your gun to be reusable again. These batteries also deteriorate quickly as well so you won’t be able to use them for a long time before having to find a replacement. 

• Lithium-Ion

These are the most common batteries available on the market, and the ones you will have heard of the most. They are light, have very little recharge time but even a short charging time lets you use the gun for longer than you would expect. While Lithium-Ion batteries have a much greater lifespan than Nickel-Cadmium ones you will still have to replace them often. Not to mention as these batteries grow closer to their demise they recharge more slowly but discharge faster. This is an easily available good option for most users. 

• Nickel Metal Hybrid

These batteries are very rare and similarly very expensive. Because of their multi-metal built they are also quite heavy which results in restricted movement while working. However, their durability is nothing to laugh at. This battery will last you a long time and even shows minimum deterioration despite multiple recharges.

We don’t recommend this battery to most users because it does make it more difficult to use the gun. However, if you are a professional and want something that you won’t have to put down during a job and don’t have to replace regularly this is the one for you. 

Precision and Efficiency

Usually, caulking guns are used for intricate work that requires a steady hand and a trusted tool to complete the job. The tool should be able to provide a constant flow of caulk or silicone and have a strong trigger. Here are a few features you should look out for when making your final purchase:

Smooth Pressure Rod Advance

Some sealant guns have an increment pressure bar installment which moves the caulk in small sets so a small squeeze will end up releasing more caulk than needed. Instead, make sure the gun has a smooth mechanism so you can stop the flow of caulk whenever you want. This means it will be easier to control the release of a plunger and there will be no excess consumption. 

Thrust Ratio

Typical caulking guns have thrust ratios of 3:1 up to 18:1. Now you may be wondering what these numbers are, and they are very important because they tell you how much force the plunger is exerting on the cartridge with each pull of the trigger. The thicker the material you are using, the higher the ratio should be. Of course, higher ratio guns are more expensive as well so only buy them if you know you’ll be using such a thick caulk. 

Cutting Tube Tip and Seal

When you are cutting a caulk tip, you may hurt yourself or end up wasting caulk in the process. Both are situations you want to avoid so we recommend buying a gun with a built-in cutter that precisely removes the tip of the caulk tubes to fit perfectly inside the gun. If you buy caulk tubes whose seal needs to be removed via a wire look for guns with a built-in wire rod to make your life easier. 

Trigger

Make sure your gun has a sound trigger because it is key in controlling the advance of caulk. No matter how skilled you are if the trigger is loose then you will end up wasting. And if it’s too tight you will end up using more force to squeeze but little caulk will come out.

Ease of use

Especially if you are a beginner then using a caulk gun will be a difficult task for you. Modern technology has allowed innovation in basic hardware tools to make them easier to use and we should use them to our advantage. 

A Trigger Lock 

As you can guess, this feature locks the trigger so only the correct person uses it. This is not only great for making the device useless in a kid’s hand, but it also stops caulk from dripping out of the body when not in use. 

Needle for Unclogging Cartridges

In a worst-case scenario, the clogged cartridge prevents the caulk from coming out as you are working. To avoid this make sure your gun comes with a needle for unclogging the tip quickly. 

Anti-Drip Guard

As you can guess from the name this is an in-built ergonomic guard that makes sure your gun doesn’t waste any caulk while you are not using it. 

Loading Indicator

This is a rare feature but if you can find it is definitely useful. Especially for beginners who are still learning how to correctly load a caulking gun, this will tell you when the cartridge is in place and you can begin working. 

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How to Use a Caulk Gun

The secret of my caulking method is dishwashing liquid. The other thing that I like to do before I start caulking is to a piece of gum. Because when you have leftover caulk in the tube the gum makes a perfect seal on the end. A lot of people try to use painter’s tape. It never really does the job and you have hardened caulk in the tube. But the gum works perfectly and stays pliable. The next time you want to use your caulk you take it off and the caulk inside is perfect for work.

When you’re ready to use the caulk you just want to take your utility knife or razor blade and just cut the tip at a 45-degree angle. That’s all you need. The closer you cut to the tip the smaller the opening will be. After we’ve got the caulking gun loaded we need to do is squeeze the plunger until you can feel a little bit of resistance. And you can see the caulk start to come out just a little bit.

The other thing you need to make sure of is that the 45-degree angle is facing downwards here. You also need to have a paper towel handy in case you have any excess coming out of the caulking gun that you need to wipe up.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right caulk gun depends on several factors, such as the project you plan to use it for, the type of sealant you’ll be using, and your personal preferences. If you’re a professional, we recommend the Belaroko 3100A (Pneumatic), while the Newborn 250 is the best choice for beginners. The Newborn 250 is durable, long-lasting, and offers great value for its price, making it the best caulking gun for the money.

Customers are highly satisfied with the Newborn 250 caulking gun’s performance, features, quality, and price. It is extremely convenient to use and provides excellent results. While it may have some flaws, its many other features make it a worthwhile purchase that you won’t regret. If there is anything else you would like to know or if you have any more questions, please feel free to let me know in the comments section below.

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Video Tutorial: How To Setup and Use a Caulking Gun

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FAQs

Do you need a caulking gun to apply silicone?

You may be able to find a squeezing tube to apply silicone. While those are not only rare, they are also not as precise as caulking guns so while in theory, you could apply silicone without a gun we wouldn’t recommend it.

How do you stop caulking from coming out of a gun?

Installing an anti-drip guard or trigger lock is the best way to stop caulk from oozing out. However, you may also turn the gun upside down and pull the rod back to disengage it but this is not a method that will work every time.

Can you use a caulk without a gun?

Squeeze tube caulk is available on the market and you can use it for small projects but we would not recommend it. Without a caulk gun, it can be difficult to dispense the caulk evenly and control the flow of the caulk. This can make it challenging to achieve a smooth, consistent seal and can potentially result in a poor-quality finish.

How long does it take for the caulk to dry?

The drying time of caulk can vary depending on the type of caulk, the temperature, and humidity of the environment, and the thickness of the caulk applied. In high humidity or cool temperatures, it may take longer for the caulk to dry and cure properly. In dry, warm conditions, the caulk may dry more quickly.

• Acrylic latex caulk typically dries to the touch in about 30 minutes and can be painted over in about 24 hours.
• Silicone caulk can take anywhere from 2 to 24 hours to dry depending on the humidity, temperature and thickness of the bead applied. Some silicone caulk may take longer to cure, up to 48 hours.
• Polyurethane caulk dries to the touch in about 30 minutes and is fully cured in 24 hours.
• It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations for drying times. In general, it’s recommended to avoid using the area where caulk has been applied for at least 24 hours.

How long does caulk last after opening?

Most types of caulk have a shelf life of 1-2 years after being opened if they are stored properly. Proper storage includes keeping the caulk in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Once the caulk has been opened, it’s important to keep the nozzle clean and sealed to prevent the caulk from drying out or getting contaminated.

It is always recommended to check the expiry date on the package, and if the product has exceeded it or if you notice any discoloration, lumps, or bad smell, it should not be used.

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Just Read: How To Caulk Like a Pro

About Sedny Attia

Sedny holds an MS in Engineering and has a background in writing articles and reviews. Sedny is most interested in the science behind emerging technology.

Reference:

Reddit.com

Coxdispensers.com

Newborncaulkguns.com

Usitc.gov

Energy.gov