What Is an Electric Staple Gun?
An electric staple gun is a tool used in woodworking and construction work to secure wood and stretch fabric, insulation, and other materials.
The needle used to drive in the tacker is called a staple and is similar in shape to a staple needle. Other types of tackers exist for driving in pin nails, finishing nails, and other nails used primarily for finishing work.
Manual tackers were commonly used in the past, but rechargeable ones have become the norm today. There is a variety of electric staple guns available, ranging from those with large output power to small, easy-to-use staple guns.
Uses of Electric Staple Guns
Electric staple guns are used in a wide range of applications, from general DIY to professional workplaces, including chair covers and wallpaper reupholstery. On construction sites, they are used for applying insulation and tarps, and for finishing interior materials.
Compared to hand-held gun tackers and hammer tackers, electric staple guns are superior in terms of work efficiency and the accuracy and beauty of the finished product, as they can drive staples in with the push of a button. There are three types of needles to be hammered: staples, pin nails, and finishing nails, each with differing principles of operation.
- Staple
Staples are mainly used to attach tarps, insulation, and other materials to walls and wood. - Pin Nails
Mainly used for temporary fixing and finishing interior work. - Finishing Nails
Used in a wide range of situations, from interior work to remodeling.
Principle of Electric Staple Guns
Electric staple guns use electric pressure to drive staples. While a stapler secures an object by bending the tip of the needle, a tacker secures an object by stabbing it in a U-shape.
As with a stapler, press the tacker horizontally against the desired location and press the button. There are various types of needles for striking, including wide, long, and thick needles. Using the right needle for the right purpose will lead to a more accurate finished product.
Types of Electric Staple Guns
1. Pneumatic Type
An air compressor is used to drive the staples. It is more powerful than corded or rechargeable types. Until a few years ago, air type was the mainstream, but recently rechargeable type is the mainstream.
2. Rechargeable Compressor Type
The rechargeable type is easy to maneuver and can be used anywhere. With the advancement of batteries, some rechargeable type machines have become as powerful as air-type machines in recent years. Select a suitable type considering the weight of the battery and working time.
3. Cord Type
The corded type is suitable for long hours of work. It requires a power source. It is lightweight because there is no battery.
How to Select Electric Staple Guns
When choosing electric staple guns, first select the staple/nail that best suits the purpose of the work, and then select the appropriate tackle gun. In particular, selecting a tacker and staple/nail from the same manufacturer will help prevent jamming.
1. Staple Standards
Staples are U-shaped and come in various types based on the width of the top, the length of the needle, and the thickness of the needle. The three main types of staples used are T3 (CT wire), T4 (RT wire), and 4J/10J (J wire).
The names outside the brackets are those of Makita Corporation and those inside the brackets are those of Max Corporation. Each type of staple has its own principle of use, so use the staple that best suits your purpose.
2. Types of Nails
In addition to the staples listed above, electric staple guns can drive the following two types of nails:
Pin nails
Tackers are commonly known as pin tackers. The staple has a small or no head, making it less noticeable. They are suitable for temporary fixing and finishing work.
Finishing Nails
Tackers are commonly called finish nailers. They have small, colored heads and can be matched to the color of the material to be hammered to make the staples less noticeable.
Therefore, finishing nails are suitable for finishing work along with pin nails.
3. Types of Tackers
Each tacker has a specific standard for the corresponding staple, so it is necessary to check the part number carefully before purchasing.