Staplers & Staples

Staplers & Staples

Staple type is the thing to get right, because staples are not universal and a gun only takes the type it is built for. Type 53 is the fine wire flat staple used by most hand tackers for fabric, insulation, membrane and light fixing. Type 140 is a heavier flat wire staple for tougher work such as roofing felt and thicker board. Check the type stamped on the tool or the empty box before buying refills, then match the leg length to the job: 6mm for thin fabric onto timber, 8mm as the general purpose length, and 12mm where the material is thick or needs a deeper bite. Galvanised staples resist rust and are the choice for anything outdoors or damp. Tool type then follows the volume of work. A hand tacker squeezed by grip suits upholstery, cabling and occasional fixing. A hammer tacker fires on the swing rather than the squeeze, so it drives a staple every time it strikes and is far faster across a large area like felt or membrane, at the cost of accuracy. An electric staple gun removes the hand effort entirely and is the answer for long runs or anyone with grip limitations. All steel bodies survive being dropped on site where a composite one will crack.

Rapid is the widest range of tools, covering the R153 PRO all steel tacker taking type 53 staples in 6 to 8mm, the PRO R34E staple gun tacker, the R311 heavy duty hammer tacker and 140/8 8mm galvanised staples in boxes of 5000. Arrow supplies the T50 heavy duty stapler gun, the JT21 tacker in chrome and the HT50MG magnesium hammer tacker. Rawlplug covers the staples themselves, with RL53 staples in 6mm, 8mm and 12mm in 1000 packs and RL140 6mm staples in a 1250 pack. Stanley makes an electric staple nail gun and the SharpShooter hammer tacker. For the wider tool range see Hand Tools.