Every few decades an innovation comes along that completely changes the contracting landscape. I’m not referring to the near-constant cycle of power tool updates, or forward-thinking new building materials that aren’t yet cost-effective to manufacture or use. Rather, I’m talking about true generational leaps—such as the transition from plaster to drywall, or the adoption of screwdrivers over a hammer and nails—that set new standards for productivity, durability, ease of install and affordability.
In the realm of drywall, I would argue that auto-feed screwdrivers are close to a generational leap, although it took years of incremental updates to get here. Recent design updates have all but eliminated the “finicky-ness” that pros once associated with collated screw systems, such as jams, incomplete drives and other limitations. In the absence of those drawbacks, auto-feed screwdrivers are almost different tools altogether—one that should be in every drywaller’s toolbox. No matter how fast you can attach a sheet of drywall using a traditional driver and bulk screws, you can do it better and faster with an auto-feed drywall screwdriver.