Still can't believe I was using the wrong screw gun speed for like 5 years

I was reading through some old drywall trade forum posts last night and found out that most screw guns have a specific rpm range for driving into steel studs vs wood studs. I've been running my Senco at full speed on everything since I started, and apparently that's stripping out half my bites on 25 gauge. Found a chart that said 2500 rpm for wood and 1500 for steel, and my gun doesn't even have a dial for that. Has anyone else run into this or am I just the last guy to figure it out?

2 comments

2 Comments

finleycooper1mo ago

Who says you actually need to change speeds? I've been running my DeWalt at max rpm on everything for 12 years and my screws sit fine in both steel and wood. That chart sounds like something the tool manufacturers put together to sell you a more expensive gun with a dial you'll never touch. Real world experience beats a piece of paper every time.

david7391mo ago

Different materials need different speeds to stop stripping or snapping bits.