Everything to Know About a Drywall Screw Gun

Drywall screw guns have become indispensable for contractors and construction crews installing drywall in residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Drywall installation is big business, with residential and commercial construction projects increasing continually. Of the $1.7 trillion spent globally on construction in 2024, drywall installations accounted for approximately 15% of interior finishing costs.

Drywall, or gypsum board, is the internationally approved fire-resistant material for interior walls, which is why it’s constantly in demand in construction projects. Its widespread use in in turn, drives continuous demand for drywall screw guns.

In professional settings, high-powered models (above 3000 RPM) are in use, and DIY enthusiasts and small contractors work mainly with budget-friendly units below 3000 RPM.

What is a drywall screw gun?

A drywall screw gun is a power tool purpose-designed to drive screws to secure drywall during installation. Drywall screw guns bring speed and precision to drywall installation, ensuring that the task progresses efficiently.

You may be thinking that you already own a drill and that it should be fine for hanging drywall. That may be so, but consider that a drywall screw gun is a specialized tool for drywall installation – it is designed for maximum efficiency, accuracy, and safety specifically for hanging drywall. In particular, its purpose is to enable a user to set the exact depth the screws will penetrate the wall so they always end up flush with the wall surface.

Key Features of a Drywall Screw Gun

Adjustable Nosepiece. A feature unique to drywall screw guns is the design of the nosepiece. It has an adjustable depth guide, which allows you to decide and set the exact depth the screws will penetrate the drywall. The aim is to ensure a flush finish with no screws driven too deeply.

Built-in Clutch. The clutch is built into the nosepiece of the screw gun. Working in tandem with the depth adjustment feature, the automatic clutch system disengages as soon as the screw is in the right position, stopping the rotation of the screw, preventing it from penetrating further and possibly damaging the drywall.

High RPM (revolutions per minute). Drywall screw guns operate with a high RPM, which speeds up the fastening process.

An Ergonomic Design. These tools have a compact, ergonomic design that makes them comfortable to work with, even for extended periods. These tools are well-balanced, which adds to their ergonomic merits.

Types of Drywall Screw Guns

There are three types of drywall screw guns: corded, cordless, and collated.

Corded Drywall Screw Gun

A corded drywall screw gun is a power tool that relies on a reliable power supply to operate. They are valued for providing unlimited runtime and higher torque needed for prolonged use in large-scale construction projects.

Cordless Drywall Screw Gun

Technological advancements in battery capacity are leading to an increased use of cordless screw guns. Battery-operated drywall screw guns are valued for their portability and ease of use. Being portable and powered by batteries, users can work with them in areas that don’t have access to power outlets.

Because of these advantages, there is an increasing shift towards cordless solutions in the construction and DIY sectors.

Collated Drywall Screw Gun

A collated винтоверт для гипсокартона is a power tool that feeds the screws automatically from a screw strip or screw coil, so the user doesn’t need to load each screw manually. This system speeds up the fastening process significantly, which is why it’s often used in construction and other industries where fastening screws happens at scale.

Drywall Screw Gun vs. Drill

The main difference between a drywall screw gun and a drill is in their purpose. A drill is a versatile, general-purpose tool that can drill holes, drive screws, and with the appropriate attachment, become a sander or mixer. You can’t do that with a screw gun – it is a specialized tool designed for driving screws to a precise depth during drywall installation.

To achieve a precise depth, drywall screw guns have an internal clutch mechanism that automatically stops the screw at the predetermined depth, preventing damage to the drywall surface. Drills lack this level of control.

Drywall screw guns are mainly used for drywall installation, while a drill can be used on a greater variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. Drywall screw guns also operate at higher RPMs, allowing professionals to take on large installations knowing that that they be able to meet tight deadlines.

Projects for Which Screw Guns Are the Best Choice

While drills can be used for a greater variety of tasks than screw guns, the latter remain the preferred choice for:

• Drywall Installations
• MDF (medium-density fibreboard) installations
• Wood panelling installations
• Doing cabinetry or furniture making using MDF panels

How to use a drywall screw gun

Using a drywall screw gun is straightforward and requires only a few steps.

1. Load the screw gun with the correct type and size of drywall screws for your project.
2. Set the screw depth by adjusting the nosepiece so each screw takes a secure hold and ends up flush without tearing the drywall paper.
3. Position the screw gun perpendicular to the drywall surface and gently press the trigger. The screw will start moving, but will stop once it reaches the pre-set depth.
4. Release the trigger, lift the gun, and move on to the next screw.

Should you decide to work with a collated screw system, you’ll load a strip of screws, which will automatically feed through the screw gun, significantly speeding up your work.

Essential Accessories for Drywall Screw Guns

You can enhance the efficiency of your drywall screw gun by integrating some of these accessories with your tool. Some are specialized for drywall screw guns, and others are convenient extras.

Specialized Accessories

Collated Screw Magazines – These attachments contain strips of screws, which are automatically fed into the gun, so users don’t need to manually load individual screws.

Drywall Screw Gun Bits – Interchangeable tips, (such as Phillips, for driving screws securely into drywall. Quality drywall screw gun bits are made from hardened steel and are shatterproof.

Depth Control Accessories – Drywall screw gun accessory that ensures accurate and flush installations, ensuring consistent depth and avoiding damage to drywall paper.

Bit and Tip Holders – The holders keep spare bits attached to the gun so they are always within reach, reducing downtime when swapping bits.

Drill Holster – The drill holster attaches to a regular belt so the operator doesn’t need to put the gun down and reach for it while working.

Соображения безопасности

Drywall screw guns should be handled with great care. Consider the following safety precautions whenever you use a power tool.

1. Always wear protective glasses to avoid dust getting into your eyes, a dust mask, and proper shoes, no sandals or flip flops.
2. Don’t wear loose clothing and fasten long hair. Loose hanging clothes, hair and jewelry can get caught in moving parts.
3. Turn the tool off and disconnect the power plug before replacing a bit or attaching an accessory to avoid starting the tool accidentally.
4. Never carry the screw gun around with your finger resting on the switch – the unit could start unexpectedly and cause injury.
5. Keep the grip dry and clean, devoid of water, grease, or oil.
6. Only use a specified screw gun attachment for your specific tool, such as the Maxxt screw gun MDSG20V when using a MaxXT screw gun. Using random parts is risky. It can cause the unit to perform incorrectly, leading to damage and possible injury.
7. Caution: Magnetic replacement bits contain small magnets. Seek immediate medical attention if magnets are swallowed or inhaled. Swallowing magnets can cause serious infection and be fatal.

Popular Brands and Models on the Market

On forums like Reddit, professionals and casual users discuss the same drywall screw guns repeatedly: DeWalt, Bosch, Makita, and Hilti. These models are praised for durability, reliability, and performance.

DEWALT Drywall Screw Gun – Drywall screw guns by DEWALT seem to be a favorite among screw gun users. DEWALT makes several models, one of which is the DEWALT 20V Drywall Screw Gun. It has a brushless motor, offers up to 4,400 RPM, and set-and-forget depth-adjust system.

Makita Drywall Screwdriver – The Makita FS6200 model operates at 6,000 RPM, enabling fast completion of projects. The tool has a lightweight design and ergonomic design, making it a preferred choice for hanging drywall ceilings.

Hilti Drywall Screwdriver – Hilti drywall screw guns are universally praised for their durability, and trustworthy performance. The SD 4500 Drywall Screwdriver operates at 4,500 RPM and weighs only 3.1 lb (≈1.4 kg), and has a quick-release bit holder.

Bosch Drywall Screw Gun – Bosch has several models on the market. The latest is the GTB18V-45 18V brushless screw gun. The cordless screw gun features an Xtend Drive feature that ensures the motor engages only once pressure is sensed by the bit. The tool also features a reversible depth gauge, that allows operators to quickly drive out screws without removing the cone.

МаксXT – The MAxXT Cordless Lithium-Ion Brushless Self Feeding Drywall Screwdriver is listed by the B2B sourcing platform, Accio as one of the top-selling drywall screw guns on the market. It is promoted for its affordability and advanced features like variable speed control.

Часто задаваемые вопросы

Can I use my drill as a drywall screw gun?

Yes, you can. You can convert your drill into an adaptable depth screw gun with a dimpler. A dimpler is a specialized drywall bit that features depth adjustments to ensure your screws are driven to the exact depth you want.

Can I use the gun one-handed?

Yes, you can. It takes little pressure to install screws with a screw gun, especially if it has a magnet tip that holds the screw securely.

How do I know if the screw is set at the right depth?

A properly set drywall screw should sit just below the paper surface without tearing it. Depth-adjustment features on screw guns ensure consistent results.

What’s the difference between a drywall screw gun and an impact driver?

An impact driver delivers high torque for heavy-duty fastening, while a drywall screw gun is designed for speed and precision in drywall installation.

Can you use a drywall screw gun for anything other than securing drywall?

Yes, you can also use a screw gun to install cabinets, and for panelling or cladding.

Заключение

Professional drywall screw guns are essential tools in construction. They are indispensable when installing drywall to ensure they are installed securely and flawlessly, with no screws showing through the drywall material.

MaxXT is a leader in the manufacturing and distribution of power tools, particularly auto tools and wall tools. Our wall tools pillar includes a range of power tools used in drywall installation, including drywall screw guns.

To anyone involved in drywall installation, whether private contractors, businesses, or distributors, we extend an invitation to explore our full range of professional-grade drywall products. Call the MaxXT team today to find out about lucrative partnership opportunities with an acknowledged leader in power tool manufacturing.