How Do Pneumatic Staplers Work?
Powered by compressed air, a pneumatic staple gun is a hand held tool that fires staples and is designed to hold a range of materials together. While there are many different types of pneumatic staple guns, they can be categorised into three main groups, which represent the type of applications they should be used for. These are as follows:
- Flooring Stapler – Designed to drive staples, air flooring staplers attach hardwood flooring to sub floors.
- Framing Stapler – Generally used in structural and heavy duty projects, a pneumatic framing stapler is a heavy wire stapler that provides a sturdy and strong hold.
- Upholstery Stapler – A fine wire stapler used for upholstering applications.
What is a stapler’s “Type”?
Almost every air staple gun has a “type”. The purpose of this is to help easily match a specific air stapler, with the specific staples that it fires. For example, a Type 71 stapler would fire type 71 staples. Common examples include Type 14 staplers, Type 71 staplers, Type 80 staplers, Type 90 staplers and Type 97 staplers. A stapler’s “type” is derived from two main factors, its crown and gauge.
What is a stapler’s “Crown”?
A stapler’s crown is determined by the width of staple that it fires. The type of application a pneumatic stapler is used for will be partly influenced by its crown.
- Narrow Crown Stapler – The narrowest crown stapler, these are virtually unnoticeable when fired, making them ideal for applications where a small area is required to be fastened and a more aesthetic finish is required.
- Medium Crown Stapler – An ideal compromise for applications that require a larger area to be covered than narrow crown staplers, but a more aesthetic finish than wide crown staplers.
- Wide Crown Stapler – Wide crown staple guns are designed for heavier duty applications, where a wider area is required to be stapled and the aesthetic finish is less important.
What is a stapler’s “Wire”?
A stapler’s “wire” relates to the thickness of staple that it fires. A numerical way of determining a wire’s thickness is its gauge. The higher the gauge, the thinner the wire and vice versa. For example, a 22 gauge stapler fires thinner staples than a 21 gauge stapler.
- Fine Wire Stapler – The thinnest wire staplers available, they are used in applications where the aesthetic finish is the priority and a stronger hold is not required. 22 gauge, 21 gauge and 20 gauge staplers are all considered fine wire staplers.
- Medium Wire Stapler – Designed to provide a compromise between fine wire and heavy wire staplers, medium wire staple guns are useful for applications where a decent level of hold is required, but an aesthetic finish is still important. 19 gauge and 18 gauge staplers are grouped in this category.
- Heavy Wire Stapler – The option designed for heavier duty applications, these staplers provide a stronger hold than their thinner wire counterparts, although they provide a less aesthetic finish. These staplers are often produced in 17 gauge, 16 gauge and 15 gauge variations.
