If you’re looking to put things together with ease, nothing is more helpful than staple guns.
From heavy-duty works of construction like insulation, and affixing wires; to creating and upscaling home décor items like repairing or upholstering furniture, making wooden shelves, picture framing, etc. Staple guns are a ‘staple’ item (pun intended) in every craftsman/craft-loving person’s work kit.
But before you decide to invest in a staple gun, you might want to read our guide to how to use a staple gun – and every additional info you need to know.
What is a Staple Gun?
Staples guns are handheld machines used to drive heavy metal staples into solid materials like wood, plastic, and more. They can be used for many applications, including roofing, wiring, carpeting, upholstery, insulation, and even for hobby and craft materials.
There are few types of staple guns, such as manual staple guns, battery-operated staple guns, compressed air staple guns, electric staple guns, etc.
How to Use Manual and Electric Staple Gun
Here’s the step-by-step process for you.
1. Read the Manual
Sure there are general ways to use staple guns, but it’s always best to read through the manual that comes with the product. So, you can be aware of how to use it more swiftly and efficiently.
2. Load the Staple Gun
Some staple guns have safety locks on them; check to make sure they’re turned on while we help you figure out how to put staples in the staple gun. It’s important that while loading the staples, no accident occurs. For electric staple guns, make sure they’re unplugged.
Ideally, you have to open the staple gun’s body by pressing the latch located at the back. Press the release button to empty out/remove the tray, then load it with a new batch of staples.
Ensure they are leveled with the staple gun, and then close the staple gun’s body. When you hear a click, you can be sure that your staple carriage has been set and is properly locked.
3. Staple Away
Make sure that the staple is directed at the spot you want to staple and that there’s no unwanted object in between. Keep the staple gun leveled with the surface you want to work on, and squeeze the trigger. The amount of pressure needed for the squeeze depends on what kind and size of stapler you are using.
Usually, electric or battery-powered staple guns require a lot less effort and pressure compared to manual ones, and so does the compressed air staple gun.
These tools beauty is that they can work a heavier duty for a long time at a stretch as they moderately decrease the physical exhaustion needed otherwise for this work.
Additional: Electric Staple Gun Instructions
In case you were wondering how to use an electrical staple gun, it is pretty much the same mechanism as the manual ones, only requiring less pressure and less time while working with more efficiency. Electric staple guns are easier for heavy duties on hard surfaces like hardwood, oak wood, etc.
Since electric staple guns can work through these harder surfaces, it can have a stronger kickback. Hold your electric staple gun with both hands for improved accuracy and to avoid accidents. Always remember to plug in your electric staple gun before using it, and do not forget to unplug it as soon as you are done.
Additional: 3-Way Staple Gun Instructions
There is also the 3-way staple gun, designed to shoot standard staples, round staple, and brad nails. For loading 3-way staple guns, remove the pressure rod and spring assembly from the back of the gun, remove old/disfigured staples and nails from there, and insert appropriate staples and nails into the carriage.
Ensure that you reinstate the endplate tab correctly and secure it. It’s used basically the same way as manual staple guns, as mentioned before. This gun’s pressure-screw feature can be adjusted to decide with what force you want the nail or stapler to be shot into the surface.
How to Use Staple Gun for Upholstery?
Upholstering is one of the tasks that staple guns are most used for. From upholstering brand new furniture to re-upholstering to recycling/upscaling old furniture, no other tool is quite as useful as a staple gun.
To upholster, gather your materials: fabric, scissors, hammer/flathead screwdriver, staples, and of course, our beloved staple gun.
If you are re-upholstering, pry out the older staples with a flathead screwdriver and start removing the old fabric pieces. Avoid stapling down over old pieces as it would need excessive stapling.
And if you’re upholstering, this is where you start Layout the fabric to see how much you need and in what shape. Always keep at least two inches of extra fabric than your surface’s size, and then cut away with scissors.
Pull the fabric tight over the work surface and secure it by applying pressure so that it doesn’t slip away. Start by stapling the sides first to secure it. If you don’t apply enough pressure, the staples might not shoot all the way through. In this case, use the hammer to pin it down or pry it out to redo it.
Cut to size and fold corners before stapling them down—additional staple fabrics to secure it better. Be careful of the kickbacks of the staple gun!
The Best Staple Gun for You
What type of staple gun is best for you depends on how you will use them and how you can handle them. Although staple guns are multipurpose tools, you will use them for a few chores more than the others.
If your work is heavy-duty, you may want to invest in electric or battery-powered staple guns as they need less labor and are more efficient. Companies like Jobmate and Tolsen tools are favored far and wide for heavy-duty electric staple guns and 3-way staple guns.
However, if you do not mind the physical exhaustion and are on a budget, you can go for the usual manual staple guns as they tend to be cheaper.
But if you do not like putting the labor in or have smaller hands that can’t stand the kickbacks from staple guns for too long, you should definitely think about investing in staple guns other than manual ones.
What to Do if your Stapler is Not Working
For electric or battery-powered staple guns, always check the power source. Be extra careful about electric ones; check if the wire, line, or connection is faulty or not working properly.
Your staple gun might be jammed, so open the tray and check for old rusty staples/nails. Take those out and clean out the tray. Check if your spring is working correctly, and close the staple tray correctly before you plug in your staple gun.
Safety Instructions and Pieces of Advice
It is most commonly said to treat staple guns as general guns rather than a stapler, as unlike office-type staplers it doesn’t fold the wire ends of staples inwards; instead shoots the sharp open ends into the target surface.
If your stapler gun has a safety lock feature, use it at all times. Even if you are leaving it unattended for two minutes, don’t forget to turn it on. For electric staple guns, only plug-in it right before using it and unplug it as soon as you are done. Avoid using staple guns with frayed wiring or faulty electric connection.
Keep your fingers away from the trigger; do not point the gun at anyone at any time. Wear safety glasses to avoid hurting yourself. Check your work surface so that you don’t staple your piece onto any unwanted object and create mishaps. Hold the gun steady and use both hands to handle kickback if needed.
Conclusion
So, that concludes our detailed guide on how to use a staple gun. Don’t wait anymore to go on a quest to find one that fits your budget and your workstyle. Invest in easing and upgrading your workmanship skills!