The operations of laying brick and stone materials and the installation of tile coverings require a special approach to sealing joints. These are the most sensitive and unprotected places of structures, so they need special attention. Cement, silicone and epoxy mixtures help to qualitatively arrange such joints. The main thing is to apply them correctly. Just for such tasks, a gun for grouting joints of an assembly type is designed. It has a fairly simple design, it does not require special skills in operation, but at the same time it effectively seals in difficult areas.
Main features of the tool
To begin with, it is worth dividing the guns used in working with sealants and grout mixtures into two types. These are skeletal and tubular devices. The first option is more reliable from the point of view of operation, since itthe structure is formed by a strong steel frame that does not bend or rust. For tubular and semi-tubular open models, a thin and soft metal like aluminum is used. Such a tool is more suitable for one-time or infrequent work. Also, the grout gun is characterized by its working volume and weight. The average volume is considered to be 310 ml, but for adjustable skeletal models it is not the limit. The design is selected purposefully for the specific dimensions of the tube. In terms of weight, steel pistols are heavier and can weigh up to 1 kg, while tubular models, even with a closed form, weigh 500-600 g.
Model TOPEX 21B336
A fairly simple and cheap version of a tubular semi-open caulk gun that can be used as a general purpose caulking tool. The principle of operation is manual, mechanical. The advantages of the pistol include smoothness of movement when pressed and structural reliability, despite the outwardly flimsy base. Therefore, the device can be used in work with large volumes. For example, this is the optimal gun for grouting stone, the masonry of which requires dense embedding. Another thing is that the model does not provide auxiliary capabilities for regulating the temperature of the supplied composition and does not have a wide range of equipment with nozzles like a thin needle. As a result, we can conclude that TOPEX 21B336 is a high-quality device for solving household tasks when laying various coatings, but it is hardly suitable forprofessional use due to average functionality. The pluses include a low price tag of 350 rubles.
FIT Model 14256
A modified pistol based on a classic tubular design, which compares favorably with competitive models by the presence of tool steel in the body and increased volume (up to 600 g). Most importantly, the performance of the FIT 14256 design did not negatively affect the accuracy and quality of the application of the material. This gun-syringe for grouting allows you to cope with sealing thin joints, and with filling wide technological gaps of full-fledged masonry. The mass of the device is only 500 g, so the hand of the master remains active for a long time.
Blast Tube Model 591005
A budget-friendly, but functional solution for the convenient application of mortars pointwise at seams and joints. The basis of the design is formed by an aluminum tube, which also performs the task of a cartridge with a working mixture. A serious drawback of the model is the use of plastic in the supporting structure, but thanks to this solution, the device turned out to be lightweight and ergonomic. This is the right gun for grouting tiles with small gaps. If you have the proper skills, you can draw inter-tile contours with a grout mixture without much effort and in a short period of time, directing the nozzle strictly along the contours with minimal delays.
Metabo KPA 18 LTX model
Premium model of the mounting gun, which feature is increased force when extruding the working solution, which makes it possible to use viscous silicone sealants. Additional force is provided by the battery-powered power base. But the advantages of the device are not limited to this. In the basic set, the KPA 18 LTX grouting gun also receives discs for pressing out cartridges of varying degrees of hardness, a special holder and a 400 mm tube. The device also provides a number of protective mechanisms. For example, to prevent leakage of sealant, the barbed rod can be easily retracted automatically. The proprietary Metabo Quick cartridge change system is also provided, which allows to reduce technical delays in the process of work. At the same time, professionals who require the full range of functions of electronic nailers should take into account the lack of electronic control of the temperature of the mixture.
How to choose a grout gun?
In each case, when performing grouting procedures, both the requirements for the design of the seams and the conditions of use differ. Considering the features of the planned workflow, you should focus on the following nuances of tool selection:
- Physical reliability. So that the design does not fail at a crucial moment, for long operations with a high extrusion load, you should purchase models withrigid steel structure. Plastic and aluminum bodies will only pay off in clinker tile grouting guns, when accuracy of application, not productivity, comes to the fore.
- Ergonomics of handling consumables. The mechanism for loading or refilling cartridges with tubes must meet both the requirements for sealant and the working conditions. It is important to calculate the time to reload, the rate of consumption of material and, again, the reliability of the design of the gun.
- Additional accessories. The presence of suitable accessories can not only facilitate the manipulation of the instrument, but also improve the quality of the application of the material. At a minimum, it would be useful to provide a pistol stand, holders, an additional handle, etc.
Conclusion
The application of grouts followed by the formation of seams allows you to complete the laying of the target coating, eliminating its weak points in the joints. The grout gun itself is only a way to technically design the gaps, but the quality of operation will depend on many other factors. The choice of the grout mixture itself can also be decisive, since its characteristics differ depending on the composition. Also, do not forget about the parameters of the seam - width and depth, in particular. They must be calculated at the planning stages of the cladding.
