Types of Staple Guns: Uses, Functions, Pros, and Cons

Before I tell you about the reasons for reading this article. You should ask yourself these questions.

Are you really tired of the fatigue and stress caused by manual nailing and stapling?

Looking for a report that provides in-depth knowledge about which stapler to buy for yourself?

Are you looking for a stapler suitable for your professional work or for DIY jobs?

You can finish your jobs and various tasks using staplers but the question is which type of stapler is suitable for you.

I’ll briefly explain all that in this article. Stay tuned!

You can choose from a variety of stapler models in the market depending on your budget and the projects you’re working on.

I’ll let you know which stapler is the best for you after telling you the results of my extensive research about various models of staplers.

This article includes a comparison chart of various stapler types that can help you in selecting the one that is suitable for you in doing various types of jobs without any problem.

After reading this article as a whole, you will have all the knowledge necessary to make the most suitable choice in terms of buying a stapler for use at home as well as at work.

So let’s start.

Types of Staplers: Overall Comparison Chart

If you need to know the differences between the most common stapler types quickly, I’ve provided a brief side-by-side comparison. You can see it directly below:

Manual Staplers

Manual Staplers are typical handheld tools that are used to fasten different types of surfaces together by driving metal staples of varying sizes through them. Manual Staplers can be used for construction, household tasks, upholstery, or if you’re fond of making DIY projects.

One of the top-rated manual staplers in the market is Dewalt DWHT80276 (Check on Amazon).

Comparing Manual Staplers

Here is a small interim table to scale the best product in this particular niche, if you are no expert and want to scroll down, let me help you. See the table. Note that the grade sequence is from Poor, Average, Good, Better, and Excellent.

Types of manual staplers:

Here are different types of manual staplers explained below:

Heavy Duty Manual Stapler

First comes the heavy-duty manual stapler. A heavy-duty manual stapler is a type of manual stapler that is used to fasten surfaces like wood, plastic, metals, or fabric together through staples of varying sizes. These staplers are really strong enough than typical manual staplers and they provide high power and performance. Correct staple type of length and width should be used with this stapler when you’re dealing with specific projects.

These staplers can be used with surfaces like wooden frames, picture frames, upholstery materials, wood, fabrics, carpets, plywood, etc. These staplers can be used by professionals or by DIYers.

The best in the category of heavy-duty manual stapler is the Arrow T50 Staple Gun.

Light-duty manual staplers and all steel chrome plated staplers don’t have power and don’t perform like heavy-duty manual staplers.

The Arrow can be easily used for various jobs related to heavy duty like crafting, general repairs, construction, etc.

Light Duty Staple Gun

Now, let’s discuss light-duty staplers. These staplers have work similar to that of heavy-duty staplers but the only difference between them is their power and performance and the types of material this stapler can deal with.

In this category of light-duty staple guns, worth mentioning is the Dewalt.

Light Duty Staple Guns are quite easy to use because of their lightweight. These staplers can easily be carried from place to place without any kind of problem. These staplers are used for light-duty jobs, unlike heavy-duty staplers like woodwork, fastening lightwood together, dealing with carpets, fabrics, etc.

These staplers are quite flexible and easy to maneuver because of their lightweight. These staplers have a wide range of applications and they can be used for household work, professional work, or for DIY projects.

All steel chrome plated stapler

Next up, in this category is the all-steel chrome plated stapler. All steel chrome plated staplers have their working and functionalities similar to that of heavy-duty and light-duty staples, the only difference is the material quality and the power and performance difference.

These manual staplers are made up of steel material and a coating of chrome is added to protect them from rust or from corroding while it’s working in open areas or ventilated areas. These staplers are often used for daily tasks like fastening papers, reports, plastic surfaces, and wood of light thickness together by staples of different sizes.

These staplers are used for daily tasks like fastening papers, reports, plastic surfaces, and wood of light thickness together by staples of different sizes. It has to be ensured that the correct staple of size and length is used specifically for the task being dealt with.

Worth mentioning in this category is the Neu Master Stapler.

These staplers are flexible in nature and are quite strong because of their steel and chrome plated body which makes them durable and their easy working mechanism makes them adaptable to different types of tasks.

Electric Staplers

Now, comes the electric staplers. Their work is similar to other staplers. These types of staplers use electricity as a power source for their work. These staplers are quite powerful and efficient in terms of driving staples through different surfaces like leather, cardboard, plastic, wood, etc. Different types of electric staplers can be used for heavy-duty applications or light-duty applications depending upon the material being dealt with.

Among electric staplers, the most remarkable electric stapler these days is Arrow ET501C Cordless.

Comparing Electric Staplers

Here are some types of electric staplers:

Corded Electric Stapler

The performance and strength of a corded electric stapler are always more than that of a cordless electric stapler. Corded Electric Staplers are powered by an electricity source which makes them less portable but their performance and power are high. Corded electric staplers can be used with surfaces like plastic, cardboard, and wood of different types for the installation of various materials. Arrow Cordless Staple Gun Kit is quite a name in this category. These staplers use staples of size ranging from ¼ inches to 9/16 inches depending upon the surface being dealt with.

This electric stapler is quite easy to use and is suitable for professional usage. This stapler has a wide variety of applications. This can be used by professionals and DIYers.

Cordless Electric Stapler

The cordless electric staplers can easily be carried to different places without any kind of restrictions. As a battery powered electric stapler can be only used for some time unless it’s charged, unlike corded electric staplers that don’t require any battery for its working.

Arrow ET501C is worth mentioning in the cordless electric stapler category and it is quite efficient and remarkable for different types of jobs related to driving staples for fastening different materials like wood, plastic, plywood, fabrics, carpets, etc.

These cordless electric staplers are widely applicable for tasks like installing carpets, upholstery, general repairs, DIY projects, construction works, etc.

Pneumatic Staplers

Pneumatic staplers are those staplers that use an air compressor source as their power source for working. These staplers are widely used for manufacturing, construction, and woodworking applications. They support materials like fabrics, carpets, different types of wood, plastic, and similar materials. The PSI of these staplers needs to be according to the material being dealt with.

Worth mentioning in this category is the Metabo HPT Pneumatic.

Comparing Pneumatic Staplers

Pneumatic Staplers have the following categories:

Long Nose Pneumatic

These staplers have a long nose or a long tip that helps the user to reach tight spaces for fastening staples. These staplers have different features like depth adjustment, trigger mechanism, compatibility with a variety of surfaces like upholstery, etc., and provide a comfortable grip to the users. These staplers are an appropriate choice for hard to reach places.

Meite MT7116LN (Check on Amazon) is quite in demand in the market for a variety of reasons.

These staplers are widely used for construction purposes, repairing, fastening wood and plastic together, upholstery tasks, etc.

Short Nose Pneumatic Staplers

Short Nose Pneumatic Staplers have a short nose which helps the user in reaching inaccessible areas and firing staples with ease. These staplers are quite versatile and flexible and help the user in dealing with different types of surfaces which are really tight. They have features like a short nose design. Depth adjustment, applicable to a variety of surfaces as well as comfortable design.

Metabo (Check on Amazon) is considered to be among the most remarkable short nose pneumatic staplers.

These staplers can easily reach inaccessible areas which are difficult to reach with other types of pneumatic staplers. This particular functionality increases the versatility and flexibility of this pneumatic stapler.

This stapler can be used with surfaces like upholstery surfaces, furniture, wood surfaces, plastic, etc.

Heavy Duty Pneumatic Staplers

Heavy Duty Pneumatic Staplers have working similar to that of other pneumatic staplers the only difference is the power and performance. These staplers are used to drive staples into materials like hardwood, plastic, metals, etc., and use various types of staples depending on the surface being dealt with.

Metabo Brad Nailer (Check on Amazon) is worth mentioning in the category of heavy duty pneumatic staplers because of its high demand in the market and its power and efficiency.

These staplers provide high power and performance. They also have a jam clearance feature that helps in clearing jams. They often have a large magazine capacity because of their commercial usage and to save time during work. These staplers provide high efficiency and a quick firing mechanism to the user.

Light Duty Pneumatic Staplers

Light Duty Pneumatic Staplers have some working and almost similar features. The only difference is its power and efficiency which is less as compared to heavy duty staplers because these staplers are designed for light duty jobs only. These staplers are suitable for light duty applications only.

Arrow PT50 Pneumatic is worth mentioning in the category of light duty pneumatic staplers.

These staplers also use compressed air like other pneumatic staplers but it provides less power and efficiency. These staplers are versatile in nature as they can be used with a variety of applications like upholstery, insulation, crafting, construction, etc. It has important features like ergonomic design, high magazine capacity than other staplers, trigger adjustment mechanism, and durability.

These are suitable for professional usage, home usage, or various types of DIY projects.

Wide Crown Staple Pneumatic Staplers

Last in the category is the wide crown staple pneumatic stapler. This stapler is used to drive wide crown staples into different types of materials. Wide Crown staples are wide and bigger as compared to narrow or medium crown staples. These staples provide additional holding power between the surfaces. It uses an air compressor to drive these wide crown staples into surfaces like roofing materials, sheathing materials, insulation materials, etc.

Crewtower is worth mentioning in the category of wide crown staple pneumatic staplers because of its applications and efficiency.

These staplers are used as heavy duty staplers. These staples use compressed air for applications like framing, floor decking, sheathing, roofing, pallet building, etc.

These wide crown staplers can be used by any type of user because of their easy working and their features like depth adjustment, trigger control makes them remarkable.

Hammer Tackers

Hammer Tackers are handheld tools that are equipped with a spring-loaded mechanism to drive staples of different sizes into various types of materials. They are also known as hammer staplers. It is typically loaded with a strip of staples. Their applications include roofing, insulation, upholstery, or general stapling applications. They can be used for professional work or for DIY Projects as well as household jobs.

Worth mentioning is the Bostitch Hammer Stapler which is considered the right choice overall for a hammer tacker in the current times.

Comparing Hammer Tackers

Hammer Tackers also have sub-categories:

Heavy Duty Hammer Tacker

Heavy Duty Hammer Tackers are those hammer tackers that are used to carry off jobs involving high force stapling action. These staplers are used for heavy duty jobs such as fastening different roofing materials, insulation materials, or construction materials to surfaces of different types like wood, metals, or concrete.

These hammer tackers help the user in penetrating staples into high depth.

These staplers require high strength in driving the staples into the material. They are really much portable as they don’t require any power source or air source. They are quite easy to use as they require minimal training. These staplers are suitable for complex and large stapling jobs.

Worth mentioning in this category is the Arrow HTX50 Hammer Tacker (Check on Amazon).

Light Duty Hammer Tacker

Light Duty hammer tackers have the same working as compared to heavy duty hammer tackers. The only difference is that this tacker is used for light duty tasks. These are used for light or medium duty fastening tasks such as attaching fabrics to wood or other surfaces, upholstery, insulation, etc.

This stapler has a wide range of applications like home upholstery repair, attaching carpets and fabrics, fastening insulation or plastic sheeting, etc. These staplers can be used by small DIYers or for small home tasks.

These staplers are portable and are easy to use.

The Bostitch (Check on Amazon) is the top-rated light duty hammer tacker.

Other Staplers

There are some other types of staplers as well besides typical staplers and they have different functionalities as compared to other staplers as well.

The other type of staplers includes:

• Plier Stapler
• Upholstery Gimp Gun
• Hog Ring Stapler

Comparing Other Staplers

Here is what you need to know about the sub-categories of other types of staplers:

Plier Staplers

Plier Staplers are also manual hand-held staplers that are operated by squeezing their handles together. They are designed with a shape similar to that of pliers. These staplers have a variety of applications like packaging, tagging, or any other light-duty stapling tasks.

The staples used by these types of staplers have the same size and shape as standard office staplers, but they are heavy duty and have longer legs than them. They have an easy and quick loading magazine

Rapid Classic 1 Plier (Check on Amazon) is worth mentioning in this category.

Upholstery Gimp Gun

These staplers are also known as gimp staplers. These tools are specialized hand-held tools that are used for various purposes like securing decorative gimp trim to upholstery surfaces or furniture surfaces. These staples are longer than standard office staples. They are used in upholstery and heavy-duty applications.

Fasco Gimp Gun is considered to be the overall best choice in the category.

These staplers are used for attaching decorative gimp, securing fabric to frames, fastening foam padding, general repairs, etc.

These staplers use staples of different types including c-shaped, d-shaped, and fine wire staples.

Hog Ring Staplers

The hog ring staplers are hand-held tools used to fasten hog rings. Hog rings which are circular metal rings can be attached to various types of other surfaces. These staplers are heavy duty and are often used for fencing, automotive repair, and different types of upholstery.

These staplers use hog ring staples which are made up of wire and are shaped like small c or small d rings. These staples after being loaded are bent after being loaded and are fastened into different types of materials.

Kamsin K-SC7C 15 (Check on Amazon) is worth mentioning in this category.

These staplers are quite efficient and are time saving as well. Plus, these staplers should be used with caution and safety precautions in order to avoid any kind of harm.

Types of Staples and their Sizes

Recap

In this part of the article, I’ll give you a recap of the entire article and everything we have learned about the 9 different types of staplers.

Manual Staplers: These types of staplers require human force for their work and no power source. These staplers can be widely used in offices, homes, schools, etc., and are widely applicable for surfaces like plastic, paper, wood, fabrics, etc. They are suitable for construction, upholstery, DIY projects, etc.

Electric Staplers: These staplers use an electric power source for their work. They can be cordless or corded. These staplers are efficient and powerful as compared to manual staplers as well as expensive. They can be used for commercial usage or for household jobs such as carpentry, installing fabrics, insulations, etc.

Pneumatic Staplers: These staples use an air compressor for their work. These staplers need to be maintained from time to time and these staplers don’t work without a compressed air source. These staplers are expensive and are quite efficient in terms of power as compared to other staplers. The PSI can be adjusted accordingly according to the material being dealt with.

Hammer Tackers: These staplers use a spring-driven mechanism for driving nails into different materials. They are also manual and they don’t require any power source for its working. These staplers require a lot of force for their operation and these staplers can easily be used for heavy duty as well as light duty jobs.

Other staplers: These staplers include upholstery gimp guns, hog rings staplers, and plier staplers. These staplers are specifically used for a variety of jobs related to upholstery, installing gimp with surfaces, and attaching hog rings for fastening different surfaces.

Bottom Line: What type of Stapler is Best for you?

Now, as you have learned about 5 different types of staplers, the question arises what type of stapler is the best for you?

Before you go, here are a few things you need to consider:

• Comfort: Comfort matters a lot in selecting what type of stapler is the most suitable choice for your tasks. Which stapler provides the most comfortable design and grip? Which stapler causes less stress and anxiety to the user?

• Power Source: Different power sources are used in different types of staplers. So, what power source are you looking for in a stapler? Are you looking for a manual, electric or pneumatic stapler?

• Depth Adjustment: Depth adjustment matters if you’re looking for a stapler while dealing with a variety of materials having different depths. Does this stapler provide depth adjustment? Can the depth be adjusted in this stapler according to different types of materials?

• Safety Features: Safety features also matter a lot. Does this stapler provide a safety trigger or quick lock mechanism? Does this stapler provide safety to the user during its mechanism?

• Jam Clearing: Jamming of staples is a really big problem. Which stapler provides jam clearing mechanism? Which stapler has the least jamming issues? Which ways can help in clearing jams?

• Air Compressors: Pneumatic Stapler requires air compressors it’s working. Which air compressor is best for the material you are dealing with? What PSI do you want for the material that you are dealing with? Which pressure is ideal for the jobs?

• Price: Price matters a lot as well when buying a suitable stapler for your job. Which stapler is the most affordable stapler? Which stapler provides amazing features at a cheap and affordable price?

• Depth Adjustment of Staples: Depth adjustment matters when a person is dealing with a variety of materials. Does this stapler help in adjusting the staples according to the depth of material being dealt with? Does this stapler provide a depth adjustment feature to the user?

I have also covered the expert level review and tests of staple guns, See the next articles for a detailed view.