If you've purchased drywall recently, you know how hard it is to get--even with a 30 percent price increase. And with new homes getting larger, and incorporating more angles and curves in their designs, anything that helps make installation quicker might save your bottom line--even a faster screwgun.
Makita has just launched a new family of drywall screwguns, but at 6,000 rpm the Rocket 6000 (Model 6825) is the real breakthrough. The Rocket actually operates between 0-6,000 rpm, 50 percent faster than most screwguns, which max out at 4,000 rpm. The new screwgun features a 6.5-amp motor with plenty of torque. Sealed ball-bearing construction ensures the gun will run smoothly at the higher speeds, without harm from drywall dust. The tool's larger trigger also incorporates a sealed switch that protects it from dust.
The gun has a comfortable contoured rubber grip and weighs in at a mere 3 pounds. A retractable belt clip secures the gun when not in use, and retracts well out of the way in tight spots. The removable nosepiece features a sure-lock system to guarantee consistent and precise screw depth settings.
The sturdy die-cast gear case is designed for rugged job-site use, and features a silent synchronized pad clutch to reduce noise levels and wear. The Rocket has a modular housing that makes it more durable and easier to service.
After reading all the literature about the tool, I was eager to get it into the field, so I grabbed a box of screws and set out on a mission. Taking the gun out of its case, I immediately noticed its lightness and ease of grip. A few clicks of the nosepiece adjusted the screw depth, and I was in business. The first handful of screws disappeared into the drywall faster than the eye could follow. And it was quiet enough to allow me to carry on a conversation with my assistant as I worked. Okay, I was impressed, but could the Rocket handle the use and abuse of Chuck Laur, my drywall contractor?
Chuck's crews took turns using the new screwgun over the next month, fastening an estimated 5,000 sheets of "rock" into wood and metal framing. Installers unanimously agreed that this was the fastest, quietest, and most comfortable gun they had ever used. However, some minor complaints did arise from the crew members. Some said that the nosepiece occasionally came off during operation, and was possibly too easy to remove. And others said they experienced difficulty getting that first bite into metal studs--due, perhaps, to the sheer lightness of the gun.
All in all, though, this tool has set a new standard for drywall screwguns.
Bill Bogley is a builder in the Washington, D.C., area.Copyright Hanley-Wood, LLC
