Customer Reviews

DEWALT DW257 6.2 Amp Deck/Drywall Screwdriver

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I had the chance to use one of these drywall/deck screw drivers two weeks ago to help a friend replace all of his outdoor deck with new 2x6 redwood decking. He had both this unit and another brand which he rented. I drove maybe 500 3 inch deck screws with this unit. I found it to be well balanced and sufficiently powerful to drive them quickly without pilot holes (except at the ends to avoid splitting). The rpm was slow enough to avoid overheating. I'm not a contractor but I think this driver would be valuable to anyone who might want to fasten plywood siding, decking or drywall. As a matter of fact, I've just purchased one for my own use, since I own several rental properties.

I originally purchased the latest Type 3 version of the Dewalt DW257 VSR deck/drywall screwdriver primarily to fasten 1/4" and 1/2" concrete backerboard underlayment to plywood subflooring for tile work. It drives 1-1/4" and 1-5/8" backerboard screws flush to the surface quickly and easily with almost no effort. The DW257 is very well balanced and light weight, has a comfortable pistol grip and trigger position that make it easy to work with all day long. I like the large variable speed reversing trigger switch and the trigger lock location because it makes it virtually impossible to unintentionally lock the trigger in the on position while using the tool. The 6.2 amp motor is smooth and powerful and because it turns at only 2500 RPM's, it is very quite. I have used the DW257 to easily drive 3-1/2" and 4" deck screws flush to the surface of 2X PT lumber and yet, it can also be adjusted to flush set screws in 1/2" drywall and greenboard with no paper tear through. This makes for a very versatile tool that can handle a wide range of fastening tasks that a 4000 RPM drywall only screwdriver can't. When considering it's modest cost, the DW257 offers better value and performance than many of it competitors more expensive models.
The depth sensitive control is easy to adjust and once set, stays put. The metal tipped adjustment collar locks securely to the clutch housing and has never accidentally popped off while using the tool. The clutch operates smoothly and works the way it should.
Overall, I would recommend the DW257 to individuals who needs a powerful, well balanced combination deck/drywall screwdriver that is easy on the wrist and comfortable enough to work with all day.

I've used a DW257 for a year and a half now, and would buy one again without hesitation. Because it has plenty of speed and control to hang rooms-ful of drywall, and torque enough at all speeds to drive 3" deck screws into seasoned lumber. This tool enables me to do the above precisely, and easily. It's going to make redoing the rest of my house, inside and out, much simpler and quicker than otherwise. Enjoyable, even. Do be sure to periodically pop off the depth-adjustment mechanism, and put a drop of machine oil on the bushings.

I purchased the DW257 about a month ago and layed the boots to it immediatley. I intalled a new sub-floor on the already existing 3/4 inch floor. I used 3" floor screws to go into the house floor joists. Worked beautifully, the screws zipped right in. The depth adjuster worked great.

I have alot of drywalling to do as well. I have been using it for the drywall that I am now doing (waited to write this review untill I used it on drywall). Again, the screws zip right in, the depth adjustedment makes this tool dummy proof.

I have read a couple of the reviews above. You certainly have to learn how to hold and balance the tool in your hand for clean fastening (like any other tool). Once you do that... this tool is it!!

rather get the DW272. I don't know if it was an isolated instance, but I couldn't keep the nose assembly tight. I believe the threads were stripped, and it wouldn't stay tight.

The DW272 has not had the same problem. When I purchased it, my instinct said "plastic isn't durable and it looks like it could be weak at the nose", and well in this case it proved to be true.

I certianly wouldn't rate the DeWalt tools based on the quality of this drill/driver...they make better products, I own many...and will continue to buy them.

I went out and got this for a deck I was putting up. After owning the DeWalt DW 257 for 24 hours and using it to screw down 5/8 pressure treated deck boards to 2X12 joists the thing wrung itself completely in half. Immagine the look on the clerks face when I returned the gear/ clutch assembly in one hand and the body in the other. Needless to say I got a refund and bought something else. While I love my DeWalt framing nailer and a DeWalt/ Emglo compressor I'm now leary of buying yellow....

Bought the DeWalt as an "extra" to help speed up some home decking projects.

This unit has more power than my old, more sturdy Milwaukee, but is probably worse at keeping a consistent depth. You do, of course, get the hang of it and you can work "by feel" to get pretty good results if you just take the adjustable collar off the gun for important flush work.

A bigger problem is that the magnetic bit holder seems too weak for the work. The bit gets twisted into the holder and you can't get it out. When that happens, you just have to buy a $5.00 replacement holder and go on.

I would think this was a problem with the bits themselves, but it has never happened with the other gun and it occurs with or without the depth collar in use and working with the same materials on the same projects.

Perhaps it has something to do with the tolerances being to tight for the DeWalt holder? Whatever the cause, it's the time-consuming trips back to the store for the parts that are the real killer in using the DeWalt.

I had the earlier version of this driver for 18 years before I had to replace it with this one. I've built many decks and hung many sheets of drywall with it. The torque output of this driver far surpasses a drywall driver. Buy with confidence. This tool will give you tens of thousands of driven screws and many years of service.

first real power screw drive. once i got used to driving screws with it i really enjoyed using it.

As a remodeling contractor, I bought this DeWalt model primarily for drywall, and find it way too high powered for that application. The RPMs are too high for setting screws other in an open field (I found myself dropping this DeWalt tool and picking up my old cordless 3/8" Makita variable speed reversable all-purpose drill to set screw in corners and along joints where I needed better control and lower RPMs than the DeWalt would give me). This DeWalt may work for deck screws, but I never gave it a chance for that application before dropping it from my tool collection so frustrated with its drywall application. Hybrid tools are compromises - If you want a drywall screwdriver, buy one that's designed only for that purpose.