Protool Duradrive...drywall screwgun

[justinmcf]

i just bought the protool duradrive on saturday.
it is a dedicated screwgun for drywall. the size of screw it takes is 25mm to 55mm.

i would like to know if anybody has one and can i use generic brand ph2 long bits?
the protool brand ph2 long bits are a wee bit pricey at au$30 for a pack of 3.

i look forward to putting it through its paces in the coming weeks and i will post a few photos if you guys want to see it.

btw, this product is not available in the u.s.

justin

 

[peter halle]

Justin,

We would love to see images and hear your thoughts.  Unfortunately, we here in the states might not be able to give you an economical solution to your bits.  Thank goodness we are INTERNATIONAL and some advice might be forthcoming.

Peter

 

[justinmcf]

ok peter. i will be happy to post some pics and a small review.

another carpenter i work with is going to buy the hilti sd 5000 drywall gun next week.

so i should be able to give a side by side comparison on both products.

the hilti has a larger li-ion 22 volt battery and its rpm is 5000.
whereas the protool has a very light 10.8 volt li-ion battery and its rpm is 4000.

the house we are building is steel frame, so it will be very interesting to see which product fares better with the heavy metal!

justin.

 

[waho6o9]

I say the Hilti wins.    [wink]

 

[AlexThePalex]

i would like to know if anybody has one and can i use generic brand ph2 long bits?
the protool brand ph2 long bits are a wee bit pricey at au$30 for a pack of 3.

Justin, as far as I know the Protool bits are standard 1/4 inch hex bits so any other standard bit of the same length should fit.

But considering how long these bits are, I think their price is pretty normal and not over the top at all. I think you're gonna be hard pressed to find the same bits of the same quality for a lower price.

 

[jmbfestool]

Cant wait for the Hilti VS Protool!  Ill be waiting to see a video!!! For Comparison!  I got the Fein Corded screw gun and its brilliant cant fault it puts every screw in perfect every time and it will go as quick as you can move.

The Makita screws guns and the biggest load of crap.  My company has 5 corded and 1 cordless  and they ALL always get jammed up they screw into them selfs and often leave the screw proud which is annoying because you have to go round after with a drill screwing them in. The makita screw guns waist more time than they are worth.

 

[woodguy7]

That's interesting.  I have a 14.4v Makita drywall gun & it works very good.  The battery's last a decent amount of time & all the screws go in perfectly, unless i am trying to put one in an awkward angle.  I do spray the sliding arm with dry silicone periodically but apart from that its good.  I have used the corded Makitas (older models) & they were awfully, always jamming.  Is it the newer ones you have ?

Look forward to the side by side shootout with the pro-tool v Hilti.  My money is on the Hilti  [tongue]

Woodguy.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Look forward to the side by side shootout with the pro-tool v Hilti.  My money is on the Hilti  [tongue]

I assume Justin is talking about the cordless 10.8v version of the Protool. There is also a 400W corded version out now. But honestly, I don't expect much from a 10.8 volt tool. I don't understand why they decided to use such a low voltage for a tool that's clearly intended for a professional situation that requires a high output. 

 

[jvsteenb]

Why would you need high output from a drywall screwgun? I think portability is much more important. The lighter the machine, the easier it is to position, the faster you work.
Every extra ounce gets carried around for every single screw you set - including the ones in awkward positions above your head.
The metal in a metalstud is only about 0.8 mm thick, you have absolutely no need for power, just revs. The lighter, the better - I seriously can't think of a reason to put a 22v battery in one of these tools, unless it's crosscompatibility with other tools in the lineup.
The duradrive shares the batterypack of the T12+3 series, it's just Protool branded. It also shares the EC brushless motor technology, which has proven to be very energy efficient.
I had the opportunity to do a brief testdrive, and I think it's sweet! The motor being where it is makes it easy to position ( good working balance ) although the angled geartrain makes for a less pleasing mechanical sound compared to the C and T series Festools. Congratulations with your purchase Justin ! I'm officially envious now. It's on my Christmas list.....

Regards,

Job

 

[jmbfestool]

That's interesting.  I have a 14.4v Makita drywall gun & it works very good.  The battery's last a decent amount of time & all the screws go in perfectly, unless i am trying to put one in an awkward angle.  I do spray the sliding arm with dry silicone periodically but apart from that its good.  I have used the corded Makitas (older models) & they were awfully, always jamming.  Is it the newer ones you have ?

Look forward to the side by side shootout with the pro-tool v Hilti.  My money is on the Hilti  [tongue]

Woodguy.

1 NEW ONE  corded
1 NEW ONE cordless  and
3 old corded.  Yeah agree  in corners never work and the old ones are really bad  we got 4 Polish poeple who do the plasterboarding most the time and they just take the long bits out of the gun and use it in a normal drill they say its quicker and the makita autofeeder that saying something.  I must agree the newer models do do less faults but still does do a few. 

The Fein is so good the end tip is a small half circle so it cant jam up

The makita has a square end with holes at the end and some times the screw goes of on a angle and screws into the holes and its pain to get them back out.  New model has slightly different end.

 

[Frank-Jan]

I've seen the demonstration of the protool 12v collated screwgun last year, the rep said it was great for screwing drywall to wood or metal stud, but that it couldn't handle screwing osb or underlayment, and that there was a corded version coming out (which has become available in the meantime). The things I liked most about it where the handy belt hook and the folding hook on the other side that you can use to hang it from a stepladder or scaffold; and that is was very quiet (the motor only works when you're actually screwing). They claim that it can drive a lot more screws/charge than the competitors with a higher voltage/amperage (due to the ectec motor and the autodrive function)

I recently noticed a digital flyer on the Dutch protool site that anounced a couple of novelties, among them where the 18V version of the duradrive; a depth set chuck for the regular protool drills and a led flashlight that also works with the festool batteries.
link to Dutch version
link to German version

I'm not in the market for a new collated screwgun, (we have 2 of those dreaded corded makita's but with some practice they work well enough for us) But I'm seriously considering ordering the depth stop chuck.

 

[AlexThePalex]

Cool! Finally a flashlight! [thumbs up]

 

[jvsteenb]

That 18V Duradrive certainly looks nice for roofing and such - it probably won't cut it for metalstud drywalling using 2500 RPM's unloaded max.
Nice torch, btw. They should have done that years ago.

Regards,

Job

 

[jmbfestool]

I've seen the demonstration of the protool 12v collated screwgun last year, the rep said it was great for screwing drywall to wood or metal stud, but that it couldn't handle screwing osb or underlayment, and that there was a corded version coming out (which has become available in the meantime). The things I liked most about it where the handy belt hook and the folding hook on the other side that you can use to hang it from a stepladder or scaffold; and that is was very quiet (the motor only works when you're actually screwing). They claim that it can drive a lot more screws/charge than the competitors with a higher voltage/amperage (due to the ectec motor and the autodrive function)

I recently noticed a digital flyer on the Dutch protool site that anounced a couple of novelties, among them where the 18V version of the duradrive; a depth set chuck for the regular protool drills and a led flashlight that also works with the festool batteries.
link to Dutch version
link to German version

I'm not in the market for a new collated screwgun, (we have 2 of those dreaded corded makita's but with some practice they work well enough for us) But I'm seriously considering ordering the depth stop chuck.

I noticed on the link that there showing festool batteries for the torch and it will work with all them batteries including festool.  So you can use Festool on Protool drills and Protool batteries on Festool drills.

Would be handy if I owned a Protool but they dont sell them in UK.

I do really want the Universs SSP200 I will get one if I can find a UK seller be Brilliant for roofing line up 20 rafters ZAP all the ends off.

 

[ajones]

I've seen the demonstration of the protool 12v collated screwgun last year, the rep said it was great for screwing drywall to wood or metal stud, but that it couldn't handle screwing osb or underlayment, and that there was a corded version coming out (which has become available in the meantime). The things I liked most about it where the handy belt hook and the folding hook on the other side that you can use to hang it from a stepladder or scaffold; and that is was very quiet (the motor only works when you're actually screwing). They claim that it can drive a lot more screws/charge than the competitors with a higher voltage/amperage (due to the ectec motor and the autodrive function)

I recently noticed a digital flyer on the Dutch protool site that anounced a couple of novelties, among them where the 18V version of the duradrive; a depth set chuck for the regular protool drills and a led flashlight that also works with the festool batteries.
link to Dutch version
link to German version

I'm not in the market for a new collated screwgun, (we have 2 of those dreaded corded makita's but with some practice they work well enough for us) But I'm seriously considering ordering the depth stop chuck.

I noticed on the link that there showing festool batteries for the torch and it will work with all them batteries including festool.  So you can use Festool on Protool drills and Protool batteries on Festool drills.

Would be handy if I owned a Protool but they dont sell them in UK.

I do really want the Universs SSP200 I will get one if I can find a UK seller be Brilliant for roofing line up 20 rafters ZAP all the ends off.

Toolfest in woking surrey for protool warren is also a Festool dealer

 

[Deansocial]

I've seen the demonstration of the protool 12v collated screwgun last year, the rep said it was great for screwing drywall to wood or metal stud, but that it couldn't handle screwing osb or underlayment, and that there was a corded version coming out (which has become available in the meantime). The things I liked most about it where the handy belt hook and the folding hook on the other side that you can use to hang it from a stepladder or scaffold; and that is was very quiet (the motor only works when you're actually screwing). They claim that it can drive a lot more screws/charge than the competitors with a higher voltage/amperage (due to the ectec motor and the autodrive function)

I recently noticed a digital flyer on the Dutch protool site that anounced a couple of novelties, among them where the 18V version of the duradrive; a depth set chuck for the regular protool drills and a led flashlight that also works with the festool batteries.
link to Dutch version
link to German version

I'm not in the market for a new collated screwgun, (we have 2 of those dreaded corded makita's but with some practice they work well enough for us) But I'm seriously considering ordering the depth stop chuck.

I noticed on the link that there showing festool batteries for the torch and it will work with all them batteries including festool.  So you can use Festool on Protool drills and Protool batteries on Festool drills.

Would be handy if I owned a Protool but they dont sell them in UK.

I do really want the Universs SSP200 I will get one if I can find a UK seller be Brilliant for roofing line up 20 rafters ZAP all the ends off.

http://www.professionaltool.co.uk/protool-univers-ssp-200

http://www.professionaltool.co.uk/protool-duradrive

 

[jmbfestool]

I've seen the demonstration of the protool 12v collated screwgun last year, the rep said it was great for screwing drywall to wood or metal stud, but that it couldn't handle screwing osb or underlayment, and that there was a corded version coming out (which has become available in the meantime). The things I liked most about it where the handy belt hook and the folding hook on the other side that you can use to hang it from a stepladder or scaffold; and that is was very quiet (the motor only works when you're actually screwing). They claim that it can drive a lot more screws/charge than the competitors with a higher voltage/amperage (due to the ectec motor and the autodrive function)

I recently noticed a digital flyer on the Dutch protool site that anounced a couple of novelties, among them where the 18V version of the duradrive; a depth set chuck for the regular protool drills and a led flashlight that also works with the festool batteries.
link to Dutch version
link to German version

I'm not in the market for a new collated screwgun, (we have 2 of those dreaded corded makita's but with some practice they work well enough for us) But I'm seriously considering ordering the depth stop chuck.

I noticed on the link that there showing festool batteries for the torch and it will work with all them batteries including festool.  So you can use Festool on Protool drills and Protool batteries on Festool drills.

Would be handy if I owned a Protool but they dont sell them in UK.

I do really want the Universs SSP200 I will get one if I can find a UK seller be Brilliant for roofing line up 20 rafters ZAP all the ends off.

Toolfest in woking surrey for protool warren is also a Festool dealer

Your on about this site arnt you?

http://www.professionaltool.co.uk

They have like 3 different sites

Protool
Festool

and Fixing  they all look the same but  Festool one is all green protool is all orange and fixing is purple

Yeah that site is the only site I could find selling protool in uk that alone makes me think twice using it and I have been looking at the site for a while but I dont trust it. I dont see why a company would make 3 different sites. Just seems like a d unprofessional way of working. I understand 3 different section on the site with same web address but not completely different addresses. and come on calling the fixing web site Bunnybolts  calling a site that now thats just seems dodgy. Thats the reason why I aint bought it

 

[jmbfestool]

Oh also the shop is  (if it does exist) is 3 hours away from where I live so I cant drive up quickly to sort my problem out.

 

[Deansocial]

go on protools actual site and they link to that site as the UK dealer, so i think all is legit.

 

[jmbfestool]

Oh rite didnt kno they did that. Maybe it is legit then. Cheers.

Just why isnt there any one els selling Protool? Is the stuff not as good as festool to me I doesn't look as sexy as festool  but seem just as good