How to choose a construction stapler: advice from professionals

When carrying out construction and finishing work, you cannot do without high-quality and reliable tools. There is a certain set of devices that can be called irreplaceable.

There are also devices available that you can do without, but they significantly increase the speed and efficiency of the production process. Construction staplers, which appeared not so long ago, have already gained popularity and become a mandatory element in the arsenal of every craftsman.

How to choose a construction stapler

Why do you need a stapler?

The device can be called a construction or furniture stapler, as well as an automatic staple gun. The devices were invented about 80 years ago, although the prototype of the modern device was used back in the 18th century.

The history of the stapler dates back to the 18th century

The main purpose of the tool is to fasten materials to the base. As a rule, it is wood or wood-containing boards (chipboard, MDF, etc.). Everything that a stapler can penetrate is nailed to such a surface. This can be a film or membrane for insulating a building, furniture upholstery or its components, roofing felt, carpeting, wooden slats, plastic finishing materials, etc.

The most common use of a construction stapler is in the woodworking industry and in furniture production.

The stapler can also be used to stitch together identical materials. In this case, the bracket is bent (the operation of such devices resembles the principle of operation of office stationery analogues). For example, you can’t do without a stapler when making corrugated cardboard packaging for large equipment. To do this, the tool must be equipped with a counter anvil.

Curling staples are used for stitching cardboard

Industrial stapler for cardboard

For convenience, many pistol models used in production are equipped with a foot pedal.

Using a stationary stapler

Stationary models

Any types of fastenings made using a stapler are reliable and durable.

Device repair

If, after several months of active use, your pocket or desktop stapler breaks down, then it would be better to purchase a new one instead . But sometimes problems occur with this tool that can be fixed without resorting to drastic measures.

• First, you should disassemble the tool - to do this, remove the body and pull the clip out of the groove. This will help you make sure that there are some stuck staples at the exit point that are preventing the unit from working properly. Most often, it is because of this that staplers stop functioning normally.
• To restore the functionality of the device, you need to remove all stuck staples. To make this easier for you, we recommend using tweezers or a thin screwdriver. But be careful not to hit the groove, spring and pusher, which can be broken very easily.
• Now you can start assembling the stapler. First, install the spring in its original place, followed by the housing and press on the upper part, first aligning it with the lower one, with such force that they are connected.

Types of devices

To secure materials, you can use several types of devices, the operation of which differs fundamentally. Construction staplers can be classified depending on the type of mechanism. For domestic needs, mechanical and electrical devices are usually used, while pneumatics are indispensable when carrying out work on an industrial scale.

Mechanical

The simplest devices are manual. To work with them you have to apply some effort. However, they cost much less than their analogues, and their risk of failure is minimal.

Mechanical construction stapler for staples

The production process does not require electrical power or compressed air. Mechanical models have very little wear on parts. The only thing that sometimes needs to be done is to lubricate the tool. But such a device will not be able to nail any material to the base.

Manual models also differ slightly in mechanism.

With coil spring

Such devices are characterized by an insufficiently strong impact, as a result of which they are intended mainly for working with soft wood species.

Stapler device with coil spring

The tool life is not very significant - no more than 12,000 shots. When driving staples, the master feels a decent amount of feedback in his hand, which leads to fatigue during prolonged work.

A mechanical stapler with a coil spring is designed for working with soft wood and has a short resource

With spring (leaf spring)

The disadvantages that are present in the devices discussed above are not present in spring models. They are easier to cock, the shot itself is much stronger and does not require much effort. The recoil when scoring is almost not felt. The tool life is significantly different from the previous version. It reaches seventy-five thousand blows.

The device of a mechanical stapler with a leaf spring (spring)

Electrical

In devices of this type, the spring is bent using an electric drive. The bracket gets hammered after pressing the trigger lever. After this, the spring bends again and the stapler is ready for use.

Electric stapler. For large volumes of work, such a stapler will be indispensable

Carrying out work for a long time means using just such a tool. The speed of the process and the force of its shot are strikingly different from the characteristics of manual analogues. It becomes possible to use larger consumables (there are models capable of driving five-centimeter staples).

Electric stapler (construction electric stapler)

Electric guns can be mains powered or battery-powered. This helps to expand the range of their use, since it is not always possible to connect to the electrical network at the site of construction work, and the length of the cord is limited. But when installing the battery, the problem of excess weight of the device appears.

Cordless stapler

Important! If you accidentally press the button while the tool is suspended, the bracket will not fly out. Electric models are equipped with a special mechanism that protects against firing until the tool is pressed to the base.

Pneumatic

The shot force of such devices is comparable to that of electric models and even exceeds it. But the stapler requires compressed air to operate. Only where there is a compressor can devices of this type be used. The average performance of a pneumatic tool is one shot per second. Long pins and nails are not a problem for such a device. No special care is required for pistols of this type. Only O-rings, which are inexpensive, can wear out.

Pneumatic stapler

Important! Despite the fact that a large number of metal parts are used in the design of pneumatic devices, they weigh very little - about 1 kg.

Most tool models are designed to use one type of consumables. But there are also types of staplers that work not only with staples (rectangular or rounded), but also with nails and pins. Such functional devices can be used for a wider range of work.

Hammer staplers, which are designed to secure staples by striking a tool against a structure, are useful in some situations. In this case, we are not talking about the accuracy of the location of the fastening points.

Staple hammer

To remove the equipment, in some cases it is impossible to do without a device for removing staples.

Staple extractor

Staple remover (anti-stapler): how to use

Which construction stapler to choose depending on the type of tasks performed

Stapler classic

Great for home renovations. It has a mechanical impact mechanism, triggered by pressing a lever. It is difficult to work with it for a long time - your hand gets tired. Fasteners – nails or flat-type staples.

Cable stapler

Needed for attaching electrical wires with a diameter of 4.5 to 7.5 millimeters to walls, furniture or baseboards. The voltage allowed is no more than 50 volts. When installing communications equipment or laying out local computer networks, such a device is usually used.

Stapling hammer

Otherwise, a hammer stapler will come in handy where speed of work comes first. For example, when roofing felt is laid on the roof, or the base of the floor is insulated. Here the staples are hammered with each blow of the hammer on the material being pierced. Their fastening occurs due to inertia. True, the accuracy of such a tackler is much lower than that of the previous two types. But for insulation or roofing, this is not so significant, but speed is an important factor.

Packaging stapler

Needed for working with corrugated cardboard boxes. Staples hold cardboard together more securely than tape, serving as an excellent replacement for it. This tool comes in two types: mechanical or pneumatic.

Window stapler

It works not with conventional staples, but with metal pins. These are thin nails, the length of which depends on the type of tacker. Thus, a mechanical device can drive pins no more than 1.5 centimeters long, an electric one – up to 2.5 centimeters, and a pneumatic one – up to 5 centimeters.

Stapler for corner staple

This stapler is shaped like the letter “V” and is used when you need to fasten two parts at a certain angle. For example, it could be a photo frame or a picture frame.

Consumables

Before purchasing a device, you should study the range offered by manufacturers and choose an ergonomic, reliable and durable model.

Almost all models of staplers work with a certain type of staples, differing in material and geometry. The most common type of consumables is “P” - shaped equipment, which can have different sizes. Therefore, before purchasing a device, it is important to determine the type of fasteners required.

Types of brackets, their designations from different manufacturers and sizes

The most popular types of U-shaped consumables are staples belonging to types 53 (7 mm thick) and 140 (1.3 mm thick). When using the second type of equipment, the fixation area increases, and the risk of material breakthrough is significantly reduced. Other types of hairpins are used much less frequently.

For example, to cover upholstered furniture, a tool that works with pins up to 0.8 cm in length is sufficient. To work with materials that are thicker and denser, such as plywood or plasterboard, you need staplers capable of attaching larger staples. Their length can reach up to 1.6 cm.

To fix low-voltage cables of different cross-sections, U-shaped clamps types 36 and 28 are used.

The most common type of nails is 300. With their help you can fix, for example, hardboard on the back of furniture.

Nails, 12 mm, for furniture stapler, with head, type 300

Type 500 pins, which are nails without a head, are necessary for fastening structures when it is necessary to hide the base of the fastener for aesthetic reasons.

Nails 14 mm type 500 for furniture stapler, without head

Important! It is recommended to purchase original equipment to operate the stapler.

Professional or household

Like all other tools, construction staplers are conventionally divided into professional and household. The difference in price is very significant - many times over. And this is justified. It's a matter of functionality, number of settings, operating modes and working resource. Household models have a short working life, as they are mainly made of plastic.

Professional models are made of steel, often stainless steel. They have plastic elements, but these are metal handle covers to soften recoil. It is clear that they will work longer, and they are usually easier to work with - staples fit easier, jam less often, etc.

When choosing a manual construction stapler, you need to pay attention to the body, the height of the handle

There is also an intermediate class - semi-professional. They fall between these two categories in price and quality. Often it is in this group that you should look for equipment for home use. It works fine and doesn't cost much.

What to look for when choosing a tool

A convenient option is the ability to adjust the force. This addition allows you to select the required penetration force for bases of different densities.

The force is adjusted with a screw

Using this device, you can drive the staple flush with the surface, without excessively immersing the consumable into the base and without raising it above the structure. This ensures maximum aesthetics of the fastening. At the same time, the fixed material also does not deteriorate.

Before work, adjust the adjusting screw according to the material of the surface you are going to work with. If it is a loose surface, the force must be reduced so as not to tear the fabric

The rubberized handle makes work more comfortable. A minor improvement helps to significantly facilitate the work of the master.

Mechanical stapler with a comfortable handle

For storing or transporting the tool, it is convenient to fold the handle (lever). The possibility of accidental shots is also eliminated. Otherwise, it is recommended to remove the staples from the stapler.

Handle fixation

Sometimes, when working in confined spaces, the reach of the lever relative to the body matters.

In certain situations, the ability to re-strike a staple that is not completely driven in is useful.

When purchasing an electric tool, you should pay attention to the length of the power cord (it should not be less than 5 m), as well as the insulation from current.

The cord must be long and with high-quality insulation

The rate of fire of some electric models leaves much to be desired. Therefore, it is also recommended to pay attention to this indicator. On average, a stapler should be able to fire about 30 shots per minute.

In battery devices, important characteristics are the battery capacity and its recharging time. It is convenient if the kit includes a second replaceable unit.

A spare battery for a construction stapler can be useful for large amounts of work.

Most household staple guns are made of plastic. Due to this, they are light and not susceptible to corrosion processes. However, the most reliable and durable tool should be made of metal.

Stapler with metal body

Based on the above recommendations, it is not difficult to purchase a suitable stapler model.

Stapling Types

Stationery staplers can be divided according to the method of fastening sheets. Among them, the most common option, which is often used by office workers, is closed-type stapler devices. During operation, this tool bends the edges of the staple inward. This method provides the most reliable connection of sheets. Therefore, it is not surprising that such staplers are the most popular.

There are also open type staplers. They differ from devices with a closed stitching method in that they bend the staples outward. They are indispensable when you need to temporarily stitch paper sheets. Subsequently, the fastened sheets can be easily separated, and no traces remain on them.

Some office workers sometimes purchase staplers with straight staples for work. It makes sense to use them when there is a need to fix sheets of paper on a special board with a soft surface. For example , it could be a base made of cork.

What models are offered by the best manufacturers?

Today, consumers have the opportunity to purchase different types of tools, in any price segment, from well-known world brands to budget models.

The use of any type of stapler significantly improves the quality and efficiency of construction and repair work. If it is necessary to purchase devices, it is possible to select the appropriate model depending on the consumer’s requirements and capabilities.

About useful add-ons

We will list the main design features of furniture staplers that you may encounter when choosing a specific model. You will know what function each of them performs, and you will be able to decide what is useful for your work from a practical point of view, and which features you can do without.

• A thin tip on the working part is designed to increase the accuracy of work. You can pre-mark the location of the fastener, place the tip and install the bracket into it.
• Impact force adjustment - using a special screw, the spring tension is changed. The more it is tensioned, the stronger the impact on the fastener, therefore, the denser the materials that can be pierced will be. When performing painstaking decorating work, when soft materials are used, you can reduce the impact force so as not to damage the product.
• Rubberized handle prevents your hand from slipping while working.
• Transparent magazine - allows you to visually control the number of staples remaining in the magazine and, if necessary, load a new clip.
• Leaf spring - reduces recoil when making a strike, and also ensures that the tool operates in a way that does not require much physical effort from the user. Usually present in professional models.
• Handle stopper – a special lock secures the handle in the closed position, preventing its accidental pressing and fasteners from flying out. This element ensures safety during storage and transportation of the stapler.

Professional advice. When purchasing, pay attention to the size of the stapler handle. It happens that even a very high-quality instrument is uncomfortable to hold in your hand and press on the handle - all because it does not fit the size of your palm. The length of the handle should be approximately equal to the width of the palm, then light pressure will be ensured, and the fastener will be installed the first time.

Additional options

When buying a stationery stapler, few people might think that it can be further improved. However, this is not the case , and this is confirmed by new models that manufacturers regularly release in order to improve their ease of use.

• If you want to get one of these models at your disposal, we recommend that when choosing a stapler, make sure that there is a plastic footrest or rubberized inserts at the bottom of the body. They will help protect the table surface from scratches and other mechanical damage.
• Some models can be additionally equipped with such a useful device as a destapler. Its main purpose is to straighten staples. It may be required if you decide to separate sheets of paper that were once fastened together. Of course, you can use scissors or nails for this, but this is not very convenient, and after such a “barbaric” method, the sheets will no longer look as aesthetically pleasing as before.