Drywall Screw Guns & Collated Screwdrivers
Screw guns drive thousands of screws a day for drywall, subfloor and decking. The tool isn’t violent, but screws go through hands, into hidden wires and pipes, and the repetitive work wears on wrists and shoulders.
- Construction
- Drywall
- Carpentry
How they work
- A screw gun has a clutch and a depth-sensing nosepiece. The bit spins only when you press the screw into the material, and it stops at the set depth.
- A collated attachment feeds screws from a plastic strip, so you can drive one after another without handling each screw.
Keep your hand out of the path
- Hold panels with your hand well away from the screw line. Screws can miss the stud and come through the back of the sheet, or skate across the surface.
- Never hold material from behind where the screw will come through.
- When holding a ceiling panel, use a drywall lift or T-braces instead of your hands near the fastening line.
Hidden wires and pipes
Screws can pierce wires and pipes inside walls, especially near outlets, switches, plumbing fixtures and where cables run along studs. Nail plates protect cables near the stud face. Mark wire and pipe locations before covering walls, and use a scanner on existing walls. See Hidden Wiring.
Depth and setup
- Set the depth so screw heads sit just below the paper surface without tearing it.
- Use the bit and screw type made for the job, and replace worn bits that cam out and slip.
- Load collated strips correctly. Jams can eject screws or broken plastic, so wear safety glasses.
- Unplug the tool or remove the battery before clearing jams or changing bits.
Working at height
- Use stable benches, platform ladders or scaffolds. Overreaching to drive one more screw causes falls. See Platform Ladders.
- Hang the tool on a belt hook or tether it when moving up and down. See Tool Tethering.
Cords and batteries
- Corded tools: inspect cords, use GFCI protection, and keep cords out of walkways. See GFCI.
- Battery tools: use the right charger, and take swollen or damaged batteries out of service. See Battery Safety and Corded vs. Cordless Tools.
Hands, wrists and shoulders
Driving screws all day, especially overhead, strains wrists, elbows and shoulders. Use extension poles or stand-up attachments for floors and ceilings, keep your wrist straight, switch hands or tasks, and take short breaks. Report numbness or tingling early. See Repetitive Motion.
Before you start
- Bit and nosepiece in good shape; depth set
- Wires and pipes marked or scanned
- Safety glasses on
- Bench or ladder stable; tool hook or tether ready
- Cord inspected and on GFCI, or battery undamaged
Standards & references
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