Product type
General purpose of the instrument.
A construction stapler in the original sense of the word is called a staple gun — a tool designed to work exclusively with staples. For driving nails, in turn,
nailers are used, while in such devices the matter may not be limited to nails alone. However, the most versatile are the combined models —
2-in-1 and
3-in-1 staplers. Here is a more detailed description of all these varieties:
— Stapler. Stapling tools that are not intended for use with other types of fasteners. One of the most popular areas of application for such devices is furniture production and other activities where it is necessary to sheathe various structures with fabric, mesh, etc.; although, of course, the matter is not limited to this. Anyway, staplers are not as versatile as 2-in-1 and 3-in-1 models, but at the same cost, a highly specialized tool usually turns out to be more performant, practical and reliable than a combination device.
— Nayler. He's also a "nail gun". Tools similar to staplers, but designed to work with nails (sometimes also with pins / studs) and do not involve the use of staples. For a number of reasons, pneumatic nailers are most widely used nowadays, but there are other variations.
— Stapler (2-in-1). Devices that can work with both staples and nails; in other words, a combination of a traditional stapler and
...a nailer in one tool. The main advantage of such models is versatility: a combined tool can replace two specialized ones at once. At the same time, it will cost significantly less than two separate devices, and it will take up less space; and to switch between different types of fasteners in many models, you don’t even need to change the store — just load the desired type of consumables into it. However, if you plan to work with only one type of fastener, you should not buy a combined device so as not to overpay for unnecessary functionality.
— Stapler (3 in 1). Tools from this category are capable of working with staples and nails, as well as with pins (studs). Thus, such models are generally similar to 2 in 1 devices, but they have even more extensive functionality and, accordingly, are somewhat more expensive.Fastener type
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Nail. Traditional nails are pointed rods with hats. However, hammers are often made for specific types of nails, and ordinary ones cannot be charged in them, this point in each case must be clarified separately. The nail is usually hammered in as a whole, right up to the head; such fasteners are tightly held in the material.
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Staple. Colloquially, staples are sometimes referred to as "paper clips", although this is not entirely true. Such fasteners are familiar to many from ordinary stationery staplers, however, staples can also be used for more serious tasks — for example, attaching upholstery to wooden furniture. They do not hold as tightly as nails, but the oblong shape of the staple is in some cases a decisive advantage, and reliability is often enough.
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Pin / hairpin. Fasteners that are driven in the same way as nails, but do not have expanded hats at the top. In addition, they differ somewhat in application: the pin can protrude above the surface of the material, or vice versa, be completely hidden inside, in such a way that then “mask” the fasteners with putty, decorative film, etc. All this requires specific design features, so not every stapler capable of using nails will be compatible with pins / studs.
Fastener sizes
Standard sizes of fasteners for which the tool is designed. This information is necessary for the correct selection of consumables: each standard dimensions corresponds to certain dimensions of parts, and sometimes also design features. There are a great many standards describing standard sizes; they differ not only in the type of fastener, but also in the geography of application and even by specific manufacturers. Detailed data on various standard sizes can be found in special sources; here we will provide general points on some of the most popular options.
First of all, it is worth saying that the standard dimensions describes only two parameters - thickness and width (for nails - size and width of the head). The length can be different: for example, for the popular staple dimensions 53, the length range can be from 4 to 14 mm, and for 140 - from 6 to 14 mm. At the same time, tools for a certain standard dimensions are not necessarily compatible with all length options. So when assessing compatibility with consumables, you should pay attention not only to this point, but also to the restrictions on the minimum and maximum length of fasteners.
This is what the list of the most popular sizes for rectangular brackets looks like:
- 55. One of the smallest sizes used in modern staplers is 6 mm wide and 1.1 mm thick.
- 90. Another relatively small standard dimensions, it has even a slightly smaller width - 5.8 mm - and a thickness in the...range of 1 - 1.27 mm.
— 57. Staples 10.6 mm wide and 1.2 mm thick.
- 59. The “thin” analogue of dimensions 57, with the same width, provides a thickness of only 0.75 mm.
— 140. Quite rigid staples with a width of 10.6 mm and a thickness of 1.24 mm.
- 114. A slightly enhanced variation of dimensions 57, with increased width and thickness - 10.8 mm and 1.4 - 1.6 mm, respectively.
- 53/53F. Quite wide (11.3 mm) staples, available in both 0.75 mm (53) and 1.25 mm (53F) thicknesses.
— 72. In fact, it’s an analogue of the 53 described above: staples 11.3 mm wide and 0.7 mm thick.
- 54/58. Wide staples 12.8 - 12.9 mm, also available in two thicknesses - 0.75 mm in version 58, 1.25 mm in version 54.
Of the semicircular staples used mainly for fastening cables, the most popular options are:
- S. Relatively small staples with a width of 6.2 mm and a thickness of 1.25.
- L. Larger dimensions - 7.7 mm wide with the same 1.25 mm thickness.
In nails for driving tools, the thickness is indicated by the size, and the width by the largest dimensions of the head. The most popular sizes these days are:
— J. Small fastening nails only 1.2 mm thick with a head width of 2 mm.
— N. Diameter 1.65 mm, cap width 2.8 mm.
- DA. The so-called finishing (finishing) nails are quite large in dimensions: size 1.8 mm, head width 3.5 mm. The head has a characteristic D-shape and, as befits finishing nails, when hammered, it is almost completely recessed into the material.
Regarding pins/studs, it is worth noting that such fasteners are actually nails without heads. Therefore, the main dimensions of such parts is thickness (size), for the most common standard sizes it is as follows:
— 40. Thin pins/studs, only 0.64 mm thick.
— 41. Larger fastener, with a size of 1.2 mm.
Detailed information on choosing a standard dimensions for specific tasks can be found in special sources.
Magazine capacity
The number of fasteners that fit in the stapler magazine.
Note that manufacturers tend to indicate the maximum number of parts in the characteristics — that is, the capacity for the thinnest fasteners allowed by the design of the tool. Accordingly, fewer larger parts will fit in the store; this must be taken into account when choosing. Nevertheless, this parameter makes it possible to evaluate the instrument and compare models similar in class to each other.
Large capacity, on the one hand, allows you to work longer without interruptions to recharge the stapler. On the other hand, volume magazines are usually very bulky and can weigh a lot on their own, not to mention the weight of the fasteners loaded in them. Also, if parts are charged one at a time, recharging can become quite a long and tedious affair. Therefore, it makes sense to specifically look for a tool
for 100 parts or more(especially when it comes to thick fasteners) only if the ability to work for a long time without reloading is more important than the disadvantages described above.
Min. staple width
The smallest staple width that the stapler can handle.
The width of the bracket is, roughly speaking, the distance between its legs. Different situations and types of work require different sizes of staples, sometimes quite small. At the same time, staples that are too small will hang out in the store and will not be able to properly fit under the drummer, which is why modern staplers have a minimum size limit. You should pay special attention to it if you plan to work with brackets of small width.
Min. nail diameter
The smallest thickness of nails (see "Type of fastener") that the stapler can work with.
A nail that is too thin is just as undesirable for a tool as one that is too thick: already in the store, such parts can hang out, and there is no question of correct “shooting” at all. Therefore, this limitation should definitely be taken into account when choosing, especially if you plan to work with nails of small thickness. The most "thin" modern staplers have a minimum limit of about 1 mm, and in professional models it can exceed 2.5 mm and even 3 mm.
Max. nail diameter
The largest thickness of nails (see "Type of fastener") that the stapler can work with.
Thick nails require not only the appropriate size of the magazine and feeder, but also significant effort is required to drive them. Therefore, the larger the maximum allowable nail diameter, the more powerful, heavier and more expensive the tool, usually. Professional pneumatic nailers can be compatible with fasteners of 3.5 mm or more, but for entry-level tools, a thickness of 1.2 — 1.5 mm is often more than enough.
Max. nail length
The longest length of nails (see Fastener Type) that the stapler can handle.
With the same thickness, a longer nail requires not only the appropriate space in the magazine and feed mechanism, but also a higher impact energy — otherwise it simply will not work to hammer it “on the head”. This means that the maximum fastener length is directly related to the power and, accordingly, the overall level of the tool. Recall that a powerful professional tool has the appropriate dimensions and weight, moreover, it is often made pneumatic (for more details, see "Type"). Therefore, it makes sense to look for models that are compatible with long nails only if this is critical for the planned work.
Functions
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Adjustment of impact force / depth. The ability to adjust the force of impact or the depth of clogging fasteners. These functions are implemented somewhat differently: the impact force is changed by adjusting the power supplied to the striker upon impact, and the driving depth can be set due to a mechanical limiter — for example, by retracting the striker a certain distance back, so that it simply does not was able to move beyond a certain distance. However, the purpose and use of these functions is similar: first of all, they allow you to change the depth to which the fastener is driven into the material. In addition, adjusting the force of impact (namely force) can be useful when working with delicate materials, where too powerful impacts are undesirable. Specific details of the implementation of this function should be clarified in each case separately.
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Double hit. Possibility of operation of the stapler in the double impact mode. Here, this term means the ability to drive two fasteners at once in one blow — for example, for connections that require increased reliability. Note that double impact most often only works on staples, even if the tool is able to work with other types of fasteners (see above). Firstly, it is for brackets that this possibility is most relevant; secondly, it is much more difficult to implement it for nails or pins.
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Bending the staple.... The ability of the stapler to work not only for driving staples, but also for bending their legs after installation. The need for bending arises in cases where the tool is used to fasten relatively thin layers of material, and the staples pierce the parts to be fastened through: bent legs provide a secure hold, and are also safer — the risk of scratching or pricking the protruding edge of the staple is minimal. Note that such work requires an anvil of hard material placed under the fastened materials; in some tools with a bending function, the anvil is part of the design, but most often it is not.
— Blade of knife. The presence of a knife blade in the design of the stapler. This feature allows you to use the tool not only for driving fasteners, but also for cutting material — for example, preparing upholstery for furniture. The blades are usually made removable (so that a dull one can be quickly replaced with a fresh one or sharpened with convenience) and have a beveled shape (this allows you to cut with the very tip of the knife, providing high accuracy and accuracy). However, this function is quite specific, therefore it is rare, and mainly among percussion models (see "Type") — only they turn out to be quite light, compact and convenient for use as knives.
— Backlight. The presence in the stapler of its own built-in flashlight, usually directed in such a way as to highlight the place of impact. This feature is extremely useful when working in low light conditions. Note that such conditions can easily arise even under normal ambient lighting: for example, the tool itself often obscures the impact site, worsening visibility and complicating accurate aiming.
— Brushless motor. Such motors do not have the classic carbon brushes found in conventional power tools, whose friction during engine operation leads to additional heating, which leads to unnecessary energy consumption and general engine wear. Refusal to use them allows you to extend the battery life of the tool, on the one hand, as well as the life of the engine, on the other.