Features of staples for furniture staplers, nuances of use

Construction staplers are widely used today by specialists in various professions. It is used to connect various materials. The presence of many other names, for example, tacker, staple gun, staple gun, nailer, emphasizes the popularity and versatility of this tool. But to operate such equipment, you need consumables: staples, nails or pins. In practice, the first fastener option is most often used. Consumables differ in shape, material from which they are made, geometric parameters and other characteristics. The dimensions of the staples for staplers are the determining factor when choosing the appropriate fastener for the model being used.

Operating principle and advantages of the stapler

The traditional tool of professional furniture makers has found wide application in everyday life. A furniture stapler (stapler, tacker, gun) is designed to perform many operations, which can be divided into two groups:

1. Attaching thin material (fabric, film) to a solid base (wood, chipboard or MDF). The bracket is recessed into the base, only the back of the fastener is visible on the surface.
2. The connection of two layers of equal thickness. The materials are pierced through, and the edges of the staple are bent.

The principle of operation of the tool is simple. Fastening elements (staples) are loaded into the clip, the working part is installed in place of fixation, and when the trigger or button is pressed, the stapler fires a staple that secures the material.

The list of household jobs for which you can use the device is extensive and varied:

• securing the upholstery to the furniture frame;
• covering surfaces with finishing materials;
• laying insulation, films, carpets;
• construction of film greenhouses and greenhouses on the site;
• fixing glazing beads on windows;
• assembly of packaging boxes and much more.

In the absence of such a unit, a hammer is usually used in the household. However, the advantages of using a furniture stapler are obvious:

• work is done faster and with less physical effort;
• You can support the material being fixed with your free hand - this makes the process easier; one person can handle the job;
• the accuracy of the fastening does not cause springing or mechanical damage to the fastened parts;
• The sharp ends of the staples are inside the tool and cannot cause cuts or injuries.

Possible mistakes

There are several of the most common, frequently encountered errors and problems that accompany the operation of a furniture stapler. The tool may fire multiple staples at once, or not at all, and may damage upholstery material. Errors are due to the following reasons:

• incorrect pre-adjustment of the adjusting screw when performing work with traditional mechanical models of the device;
• neglect of the rule of advance marking of places for installing staples, which allows for high-quality and uniform tension of upholstery material;
• lack of fixation of the upholstery with a free hand in order to prevent the material from moving during operation with a stapler.

It is important to control the number of staples inside the “magazine” of the tool, and also be sure to secure the handle with a safety lock immediately after finishing work. This will prevent spontaneous or accidental shooting.

It is strictly forbidden to work with a faulty tool. If necessary, the problem is diagnosed, and the firing pin that has exhausted its life is also periodically replaced.

Types of staplers

There are many varieties and modifications of furniture staplers - they can be divided into 3 groups depending on the design complexity and performance.

The simplest and most mobile type of tool that does not require additional accessories and devices. To perform the operation, you only need to apply physical force. Simplicity of design and the absence of wearable elements are the key to the reliability and durability of such a device. Maintenance consists of periodic lubrication of parts. The service life of hand tools is 6-8 years.

A mechanical furniture stapler is suitable for performing simple household operations. For large volumes of work, using physical strength is tiring, and achieving high labor productivity is impossible.

The device is designed to perform medium-sized work at a professional level. The tool requires connection to an electrical outlet. There are modifications that run on a rechargeable battery. The impact mechanism is set in motion by pressing a button; no physical effort is required.

The electric motor increases the impact force several times. This allows you to quickly and easily pierce hard materials, and the fastening has increased strength. One of the subtypes of electric tools is a construction stapler, designed for fastening boards, lining, baseboards and other finishing materials.

The disadvantages of an electric device are its relatively high cost, increased weight due to the motor, and a limited working area by the length of the cord.

Electric models quickly fail due to incorrect selection of brackets or violation of operating rules. For beginners, it is better to first purchase simple and unpretentious mechanical staplers.

The most productive, powerful and durable models. To operate such tools, a compressor is required, so they are used in furniture factories, where individual workplaces can be equipped with a compressed air supply and a dedicated power line. Their use is not advisable for home and household needs.

Instead of a spring, the tool is equipped with a pneumatic cylinder. It is driven by air entering when the pedal or trigger is pressed. This design solution makes it possible to increase the workforce many times over and perform large volumes of work. The average speed of such pistols is 1 staple per second.

Otherwise, the design of pneumatic models is quite simple and does not require complex maintenance. You just need to periodically clean it and replace the O-ring as it wears out. The main disadvantage is stationarity. The range of the device is limited by the length of the air supply hose.

Choosing a stapler for upholstery

To reupholster old or damaged furniture upholstery, it is advisable to choose a mechanical gun. The physical strength of the craftsman and mechanics is sufficient to reliably fix the matter on the wood. The hand-held device is convenient for beginners without experience or skills.

When working with durable wood or needing to use it for professional purposes, craftsmen choose an electric tool. Mechanical units do not provide the required impact force for reliable adhesion of surfaces. When working in a furniture workshop, you need to think about purchasing high-performance pneumatic equipment.

How to choose a stapler?

Depending on the type and volume of planned work, decide on the type of tool: mechanical or electrical. Now you can proceed to the selection, focusing on the types of brackets with which each model under consideration is compatible. This information is indicated on the product packaging. The cheapest and simplest models are usually designed to work with one type of staple. For semi-professional household models, you can use several types of fasteners, including nails and pins.

It is better to choose a more expensive universal stapler, which is useful for many types of household work. The difference in price compared to the simplest models is insignificant, and the scope of application is much wider.

The following staple sizes are suitable for household tools:

Useful recommendations from professionals

By reading the advice of professionals, you can make the right choice among the universal furniture staplers available for sale. The tool must meet the following specifications:

• Sturdy and durable body . For a long service life, choose models made of light alloys rather than polymer materials. Metal products are resistant to mechanical damage and last longer than plastic devices;
• Collapsible design , thanks to which it is possible to make minor repairs. A one-piece body eliminates this possibility;
• Ergonomic handle with rubberized inserts that fits comfortably in the master’s hand;
• Store made of transparent material . During operation, it is possible to control the number of remaining staples and replace the clip in time;
• Stopper preventing erroneous feeding of staples;
• Penetration force adjustment mechanism , which may look like a wheel or switch. With it, you can adjust the gun depending on the hardness of the surface. If the staple does not pass through durable material on the first shot, the technician turns the adjuster and changes its position from minimum to maximum. This action is performed until the desired result is achieved. The test feed is carried out on the rough surface;
• Double impact mechanism , which increases the productivity of the furniture stapler. If, after the first pull of the trigger, the staple does not penetrate through the surface, another impulse is applied to it. For comfortable work, choose furniture guns with an impact mechanism on a spring spring that does not give recoil;
• A power tool for professional use must be highly productive . In one minute, the device should supply from 20 to 30 staples. It is important to choose a device with a long cord, a capacious battery and a long battery life. The speed of work is directly dependent on these parameters.

A furniture stapler is a convenient tool for use in home or professional areas. Mechanical models are suitable for small amounts of work. Electrical devices that demonstrate high performance indicators are suitable for work in a workshop environment, during installation during construction.

Forum members tell how to reupholster upholstered furniture with your own hands

Over time, favorite things become old and go out of fashion. And the once beautiful sofa, arousing the envy of all the neighbors, difficult to obtain through connections or bought at a sale, turns into a shabby, dull piece of furniture. Which, however, can be a pity to part with. You can return upholstered furniture to a fresh and neat look by reupholstering it. FORUMHOUSE users talk about how to update their favorite sofa and armchairs.

If the upholstered furniture has a simple shape and design that can be disassembled and assembled without special tools and equipment, and all the mechanisms are still strong enough and do not require replacement, you can do the reupholstery yourself. True, it is better to start with fabric upholstery - leather and its synthetic substitutes are considered complex materials, and such reupholstery requires experience and skill.

Alternative solutions

The Novus J-19 EADHG model will be more convenient, which has a rubberized handle and weighs 1024 g. This professional tool has a multiple impact mode, a safe reloading system and a remote stop. There is a special latch to fix the handle in the lower position, and a plastic hook allows you to hang the tool on your belt if necessary. The Rapid R353 model has an impact-resistant rubber insert on the body; it weighs 886 g, and also has a shock-free release mode, which simplifies operation and makes it more comfortable.

What staples should I use to reupholster furniture?

The range of uses of staplers in the 21st century is large. This tool has become an indispensable assistant in construction, home furniture repair and in the production of furniture factories. Modern progress does not stand still, and what was previously routine work and took a lot of time is now automated and does not take much effort and time from men.

Now there are many varieties of construction staplers and staplers for furniture, and there are several times more types of fastenings. They all differ in height, strength, quality, and materials of manufacture. There are a huge number of types of staples, so much so that sometimes when you come to a hardware store to buy staples for a stapler, your eyes run wide from the variety of choices.

Information about what type of staples are needed for a particular stapler can be found in the instructions for the tool, and this information can also be found on the box.

Brief contents of the article:

Nuances of choice

A staple for a furniture stapler may have sharpened legs. They fit into the base more easily, and the power on the device is set lower than usual. This saves energy consumption and increases the service life of the automatic stapler. If a hand-held device is used, less effort is required to secure it. This allows you to work longer and get less tired.

Before going to a hardware store, you need to think about what staples are best for use in a furniture stapler given the situation that arises during the renovation. If high humidity is often maintained in the room (bath, sauna, bathroom, balcony), then the choice should fall on corrosion-resistant metals. These include copper, aluminum and stainless steel. This will avoid rusty stains on the materials and also prevent the destruction of the structure.

If it is known that the load on the fasteners is designed to be small, it is advisable to install them from aluminum. This choice is especially good for vapor barriers and wiring. In this case, you need to take into account the level of hardness of the base material, because aluminum is quite soft and may not fit into it.

For fastening lining or other hard and massive materials, it is better to choose stainless steel clips. They will be able to support the weight of the structure and are not subject to destruction from water. If in such a situation you install aluminum fasteners, the wood will absorb water and bend the holding elements. The structure will become fragile and may collapse.

The staples are packaged in boxes of various sizes. They come in 500, 1t, 2t, 3t, 5t pieces per package. The staples are fastened together with an adhesive compound into blocks of several pieces. This is necessary for ease of filling the stapler. The length of the block does not always correspond to that of the device, but the paper clips are easily separated from each other, allowing you to adjust the size.

When choosing staples, you need to take into account not only the approximate quantity required for repairs, but also the percentage of possible defects. If the master working with the stapler is inexperienced, and the staples are fragile or soft, you should take at least 50% of the expected number in reserve.

The price of paper clips ranges from 30 rubles. up to 212 rub. of the same type (53), but from different companies. Inexpensive fasteners are produced by Saturn, and the most expensive ones are produced by Bosh. The cost depends on the material used. The higher it is, the stronger the metal. This means a lower percentage of defects and ease of use. Therefore, sometimes it is better to choose more expensive, but high-quality fasteners, and spend less time and effort on the work.

Stainless steel staples are expensive, but at the same time they successfully combine corrosion resistance and strength. This material is especially relevant in rooms where reliable fastening is required, but high humidity is maintained (bathrooms, baths, saunas). These paper clips are produced only by large companies that are ready to be responsible for the quality of their products and their considerable price.

Fasteners made of copper are stronger than those made of aluminum; they are also non-fragile and resistant to water. They are often used in decorative structures due to their color and properties. But copper staples are expensive, so their use is not as widespread as aluminum ones.

When choosing steel fasteners, production technology is taken into account. Hardened products are more durable, but their cost is higher. They are chosen for hard surfaces that softer metals can bend on. They easily fit into the main fabric, but under lateral load the fasteners cannot withstand and break in half.

When choosing paper clips, not only the type of room in which the work will take place is taken into account, but also the materials used. If it is necessary to secure the back surface of a cabinet made of hardboard or plywood, use simple steel fasteners. It is better to choose galvanized ones to avoid corrosion, but regular ones will do. In chipboard, staples are easily fixed, but do not hold well. Therefore, it is better not to move furniture assembled in this way or subject it to heavy loads. Since the thickness of the chipboard is considerable, high staples are needed, with a long leg.

To work with upholstered furniture or upholstery of chairs, you need to choose paper clips with a large width and sharp legs. Stainless steel and copper are good materials. The large-width staples fit neatly into the fabric without disturbing its integrity, and the pointed legs can be easily inserted into any material, including wood.

Types of staples for construction staplers

At the moment, the most popular form of fastenings is “U”-shaped, but it is not the only one on the market. There are also arc and “T”-shaped staples. Staples in the shape of the letter “T” are not as reliable as classic ones and are extremely rare; moreover, they are used only for a special purpose.

Arc ones are popular in North America. They are used for fastening small diameter cables.

There are several types of arc brackets:

• Type 28 (or S). These semicircular brackets are usually used when fastening cables with a diameter of no more than 4.5 mm
• Type 36 (or L). Their shape is exactly the same as that of type 28 staples, their diameter is larger - only 6 mm.

Which staples are best?

It is better to use galvanized or stainless steel staples. This material is very reliable, most importantly durable and not susceptible to corrosion. Most manufacturers use this material for their staples. However, it is worth remembering that in fastening areas where the load is minimal, it is necessary to use lightweight aluminum staples.

It is important to know that staples can be either sharpened or unsharpened. It will be much easier to work with sharpened staples: they will not have a high load and sharpened ones will be easier to use for a large amount of work.

The thicker the material needs to be joined, the more massive and higher the staple required, which will be used when working with a stapler. But in this case, the stapler needs a lot of power.

To keep the fasteners invisible, narrow staples are needed. However, it is worth knowing that in this case, not all tools will work with these staples.

When work will be carried out with strong material, it is better to choose fasteners of small thickness - such a bracket will be sufficient in this situation.

Correct selection of staples according to tool model and type of work

To choose the right consumables for the job, you need to focus on a number of criteria:

• the type of fastener for which the staple gun in use is designed, as well as its shape;
• the material of the base surface into which the fasteners are to be driven;
• future conditions in which the fasteners will be located after connecting the parts;
• the material from which consumables are made;
• sharpness of the ends of the staples;
• quality of consumables.

For instructions on the appropriate size and type of charging fasteners for the model of staple gun you are using, please refer to the packaging or the tool's instruction manual. These are mainly U-shaped consumables. The fastener number on the marking is represented by 2 numbers: the first indicates the width of the bracket, and the second indicates the height of its leg.

The choice of consumables from the size range designated by the staple gun manufacturer is based on the magnitude of the future load on the fastener: the higher its value, the larger the dimensions of the fastening element should be . If the base material is hard, then steel or hardened staples are suitable. It is better that they have pointed ends - this will ensure easy driving in.

When it is necessary to make a connection point that is not subject to loads as inconspicuous as possible, consumables of the smallest possible size should be used.

For use in wet conditions, copper, aluminum, galvanized, or stainless steel staples are suitable. The optimal option depends on the hardness of the base and the degree of the upcoming load.

How to properly thread a stapler with staples?

To perform this simple operation, you must first put on safety glasses. Then you will need to make sure that the stapler is empty and there are no staples in it.

Almost every construction stapler has a black protrusion that must be pressed in order for the spring block of the tool to come out. After this procedure, you can insert the staples into the construction tool and check that the staples are stable. If after these steps you don’t hear a loud click, then we’ll get to work.

It should be remembered that you cannot replace staples of the same type with similar ones, as they will have different geometries, and this will inevitably lead to tool failure.

When is the battery type suitable?

However, you can use an alternative solution and purchase a cordless stapler. It will be quite heavy, and the operator’s hands will get tired after a while. Any electric model will be much heavier than its mechanical counterpart. Before choosing a furniture stapler, you should take into account that you will have to pay quite a high price for an electric model. Therefore, if you are purchasing a device for personal needs and will use it from time to time, then it is not recommended to spend so much money on it.

Staples for furniture stapler

If you need to choose staples for a furniture stapler, then you should again proceed from the instructions from the stapler manufacturer and be guided by such parameters as the depth of the staples and their type.

The depth of such fastenings starts from 4 mm and reaches 14 mm. The choice will be determined by the nature of the work being carried out. If you need to cover your home furniture with fabric, then 8 mm brackets are quite suitable.

Staple type – must match the specific stapler model. To make the right choice, you need to remember that the markings must be identical for this model and for the staples.

If the fasteners are small, there is a possibility that during one of the shots the staples will fly out or the tool will jam.

STANLEY Light Duty 6-TR150L

The next hero of our TOP is STANLEY Light Duty 6-TR150L.

This stapler is notable for the fact that it allows you to work not only with staples with a height of 6 to 14 mm, but also with J-type nails with a length of 12 to 15 mm, which significantly expands the scope of its application.

This tool is very comfortable to use. Its impact mechanism is very smooth and does not require much force to operate. At the same time, the mechanism allows you to cut even into hard materials. And when using even cheap staples, it practically does not misfire.

It is also worth noting that the stapler has easy access to the magazine, which ensures minimal effort and time spent installing staples and pins.

It also has a durable die-cast aluminum body that fits well into your clenched palm. The dimensions of the tool are optimal, which ensures ease of use for people with both large and small hands. And on the back side of the lever there is a rubber pad that provides a secure grip when working. In general, if you are looking for a convenient mechanical stapler with the ability to drive nails, then I recommend paying attention to this model.

• Anti-slip pad.
• Type A staples.
• For J-type nails.
• Staple size: 6 – 14 mm.
• Nail length: 12 – 15 mm.

Actually, a little about the design of this useful device.

1. Trigger.
2. Impact force regulator.
3. Power cable.
4. Power on/off button.
5. Magazine (clip).
6. Staple pusher.

The operating principle of the stapler is as follows: a staple is supplied from the magazine to the firing pin. When you press the trigger, the striker pulls one staple out of the holder (initially all staples are glued together) and is driven into the material being processed. The electric stapler uses the same staples as regular office staplers, with the only difference being the size of the staples themselves. Some models can also use nails and semicircular staples for the job.