automatic taping tools brand wars: columbia or tape tech?

gringoman420

I'm about to drop a few thousand on a new set of automatic drywall tools and i'm torn between Columbia and Tape Tech. I just went out on my own and this si goinna be the first set I'm buying on my own. I want to buy the better of the two (obviously). Any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks fellow drywallers!

drywall guy158

i'll be watching this post to see what the results are i'm about to do the same but cant decide on the 2 brands also !!

P.A. ROCKER

From what I've seen on this site Aaron St.James of Columbia is on the task of customer satisfaction. Any upgrades to my set of tools Columbia gets first consideration.

sdrdrywall

I've had both if I had to buy again .it would be Columbia great tools and the best customer service in the industry.

cdwoodcox

I have always owned tape tech and never had any problems. I have just recently purchased a 3.5'' anglehead from Columbia and as stated above their customer service is top notch. Other than that I can't help you much as I have never ran Columbia tools.

msd

who has the better warranty

sdrdrywall

Having a good warranty is great but its all about who's gonna handle problems in the quickest and easiest way .as far as I've seen there's no better than Columbia

Capt-sheetrock

I have had both

Columbia:
1) stands behind their tools, even after the warranty is gone
2) Will answer any question you have in less than a day
3) listens to users and improves their tools (even upgrades a tool for ya sometimes)


TT
1) If your tool is out of warranty,,,your on your own
2) Won't talk to you at all,,, you have to send it to them
3) Doesn't really give a hoot wheather you like em or not

The choice is yours of course,,,,

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I refuse to torment my soul,,,over things I can't control

Mudshark

My choice would be Columbia. Perhaps I am biased as they are a Canadian company and close to home but I think there is more to it than that. Many of the basic tools are essentially the same in design with few if any minor differences between the 2 companies. Columbia parts are made in North America and I am not sure I can say the same about Tape Tech (I hear rumours). Prices are competitive so after that it boils down to service. Have nothing but praise for the service Columbia offers as do others and it sounds as if Columbia is on solid financial ground. Seems like a no brainer now doesnt it?

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JustMe

Unless you're trying for a deal because of your buying a set from one or the other manufacturer, you could consider mix and matching, if you have likes and dislikes about each manufacturer's tools.

Regardless of who you go with, for production, I'd try to work a Columbia Fat Boy in there - one of the size that you'd like to use for your 1st boxing coat (a 8" or 10"). One of our long time tapers runs a Columbia 10" Fat Boy for 1st coat, and a TT 12" for finishing.

Mudshark

Good point Just Me - One tool that TT has not matched is the Columbia Fat Boys. Love em.

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MacDry

Columbia all the way, I am slowly but surely transfering all my stuff over whenever I get the chance.

gringoman420

both have 5 year warranties

JustMe

Thanks, MS. It is a bit of a surprise that TT hasn't matched it.

The TT EasyClean boxes are advertised as having extra mud capacity. At least probably from what TT boxes used to carry. But I don't think they would match the Fat Boys.

And with some of the EasyCleans seeming to have front leaking issues, I don't know for sure if that's a box I'd look at too hard, till the problem's been fixed. But maybe it wouldn't be a problem, or too much a problem, unless you're unlucky like a couple of DWT's down under members were. The 10" TT Power Assist box I use for at times difficult boxing situations has the same configuration as the EasyCleans, I believe, and it hasn't shown any signs of leaking. But then I haven't used it a lot.

gringoman420

Thanks everyone!! Sounds like I'm buying Columbia! Not gonna order for a day or 2 so I'll check back again. Thanks again!

2buckcanuck

Thinking about getting a new zook myself this spring, If work stays steady.

Might be because of this site, well I guess it is because of this site

Supply house I deal with, deals mainly in Drywall Master and some gold coloured type tools, I forget their name.

But I think I will go for the Columbia this time. They have the one feature that interest me, the finger will cause less drag etc.... which will make angle tapes more easy to install. 9 foot high ceilings take a toll on the shoulders after awhile. And for customer service, I can torment Aaron right here from DWT.

Plus, if you get those gold coloured tools, you half to paint over the Logo right away, they don't like you sporting it

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machinemud

Durable tools , Amazing customer service , family business , great looks, very light tools , made in canada , i have never been disapointed about them .

JustMe

Lol. You come up with the damndest things.

If I was Mike, I don't know if I'd be a little frustrated with you, or laugh with you. Probably both.

2buckcanuck

well I'm still waiting for my apology "T" shirt

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Mudshark

You might be waiting a while for a TT shirt, but I noticed you got one from Columbia about the same time as that "incident"

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