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.Spring
The main structural element of the construction stapler. The spring first compresses, accumulating mechanical energy, and then decompresses, releasing it to clog the fastener. According to the type of springs are divided into two subcategories:
— Vitaya. The impact mechanism with a twisted (torsion) spring is cocked and then released when the lever is pressed. The force with which the bracket will be clogged is regulated using a special screw, if it is provided for in the design. The working resource of a twisted spring averages 10-12K strokes, after which the recoil becomes stronger and it is no longer so comfortable to work with the tool.
— Plate. In staplers with a leaf spring, a flat spring located horizontally is responsible for the tension of the striker. Usually, this type of springs is used in professional tools — they have a long service life (about 55 – 60K strokes), which allows the use of construction staplers for large-scale work.
Fastener type
—
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.
Compatible staples
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.
Operation type
The actuation method provided in the design of the nail/stapler.
-
Contact. This option assumes that direct contact with the material being processed is necessary for operation. Usually, a movable working tip (“nose”) is used for this: until the tool is pressed against the material and the nose is not retracted to the stop, the mechanism will not work. This way of actuation has a positive effect on both efficiency and safety of work: tight contact ensures that the fastener will be hammered as reliably as possible, and the risk that the hammer will “shoot” with a staple or nail in the air is reduced to almost zero. However the need to press the tool tightly every time reduces the speed of work: although pressing takes a fraction of a second, however, on tens and even more hundreds of clogged fasteners, this moment becomes noticeable. On the other hand, many tools provide the ability to hold the trigger so that the stapler automatically fires each time the spout is pressed. But the unequivocal disadvantage of this option can be called the fact that the presence of a safety contact mechanism complicates and increases the cost of the tool.
-
Non -contact. Mechanisms that work regardless of whether the tool is pressed against the material or not. Other things being equal, the non-contact method of operation is faster than the contact one, because. does not require additional "body movements" du
...ring work. And the tool itself is lighter and cheaper. On the other hand, non-contact triggering requires increased care from the user: if handled carelessly, the tool can trigger at a certain distance from the surface of the material (which impairs clogging efficiency), or even “shoot” in an undesirable direction, which is fraught with material damage and even serious injury .Fuse
A device that protects the tool from being triggered at the wrong time.
Most often in a modern tool there are manual fuses in the form of a button or switch. Such a device blocks the release button or opens the power circuit; thus, when the
fuse is on, the tool will not work, no matter what the user does. This reduces the chance of fasteners "shooting" in the wrong direction and reduces the risk of personal injury and property damage.
Max. staple width
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.
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.