Comparison Intertool PT-1612 vs Intertool PT-1603

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.

— 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.

— 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.

— 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.

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.

Staple models that the tool is compatible with.

Usually, quite specific options are indicated in this paragraph, so finding compatible consumables is not difficult. The specific dimensions of the fasteners should be specified according to the manufacturer's data — different brands use different markings.

The largest width of staples (see Fastener Type) that the stapler can work with.

The width of the bracket is, roughly speaking, the distance between its legs. Different situations and types of work require different sizes of staples, and sometimes the width must be quite large. However, a staple that is too large simply will not fit into the store, not to mention the fact that the stapler can “shoot” it normally. Therefore, this limit cannot be exceeded, and if you plan to work with brackets, you should pay special attention to the maximum width when choosing.

The smallest length of staples (see Fastener Type) that the stapler can work with.

The length in this case means the length of the leg — in other words, the depth to which the staple clogged "to the stop" penetrates into the material. Small staples do not require much power to drive, but the tool may not be designed for fasteners that are too short due to other parameters — for example, the design of the magazine. Therefore, for many models, this limitation is quite relevant, and in powerful professional models, the minimum length can be quite large — more than 20 mm.

The largest length of staples (see Fastener Type) that the stapler can work with.

The length in this case means the length of the leg — in other words, the depth to which the staple clogged "to the stop" penetrates into the material. This means that working with staples of great length requires not only the appropriate design of the magazine and the feed mechanism — the stapler must also be quite powerful in order to provide the effort necessary for effective clogging. And this, in turn, affects the dimensions, weight and price of the tool. In fact, this means that it does not always make sense to specifically look for a model that can work with long staples — you need to evaluate the specifics of the intended work: often the best choice is a relatively “short”, but at the same time inexpensive and compact tool.

In general, a limit of 10 – 15 mm is typical for entry-level staplers, and in professional models this parameter can exceed 50 mm.

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.

The presence of a case or bag in the tool kit.

Such accessories are more convenient than impromptu packaging, they greatly simplify the storage and transportation of both the tool itself and accessories / consumables. At the same time, cases are the most popular in construction staplers — characteristic suitcases made of solid material. Such a suitcase perfectly protects the instrument not only from moisture and dirt, but also from shocks and shocks; it is also often used as the factory packaging in which the tool goes on sale. Bags made of soft material, in turn, are less common: they do not provide such protection against impacts, and they do not resist water / dust as effectively. On the other hand, such packaging itself is less bulky, and when the bag is not needed, it can be rolled up quite compactly.