What Is a Staple?
Staples are the needles of a stationery tool called a tacker.
Tackers are used in woodworking and construction and refer to large staple-like tools. Staples are used to secure objects such as fabric, thin wood, wire mesh, etc. in applications such as construction sites or furniture repair.
Staples are U-shaped like a staple needle and are connected with adhesive. The staple is bent to hold the object in place, whereas the staple is inserted without bending.
Uses of Staples
Staples are used in a wide range of applications, from general office work and DIY to professional work sites. They are often used as needles for a tool called a tacker, which is used to fasten thin materials such as paper and cloth.
Note that there are several types of tackers, including hand-operated gun tackers and hammer tackers, motorized electric tackers, air tackers, and floor tackers.
In construction, they are used for fixing insulation and tarps, in interior work for finishing interior materials, and in furniture production for reupholstering chairs.
Principle of Staples
The staple is U-shaped like a staple needle, and the tip of the needle is not bent, but pierced to fix the staple in place.
They are basically used by loading them into a tacker. Gun tackers and hammer tackers strike the staple by pushing the shoulder of the staple out from above. Electric tackers use voltage to drive the staple, while air tackers use air pressure to drive the staple.
The width of the staple is called shoulder width, the length of the leg is called leg length, and the width of the line when viewed from the front of the staple is called thickness and the width when viewed from the side is called width.
There are different types of staples in combination with shoulder width and leg length, and it is important to use the right staple for each application.
Types of Staples
1. Classification by Material
There are different types of staples such as galvanized, hard steel, stainless steel, aluminum, resin coated, plastic, and those with colors.
Stainless steel staples are rust-resistant, while resin-coated and plastic staples are used as insulating staples for high-frequency, electrical, and other insulating parts.
2. Classification by Size
Staples are available in sizes ranging from 3mm to 22mm in shoulder width and from 3mm to 50mm in leg length.
3. Classification by Color
Some staples used for finishing materials are discreetly colored.
4. Special Staples
There are staples for tatami mats, staples used to fix artificial turf, and staples for fur.
How to Select Staples
The important point in selecting staples is to consider the size, material, and color according to the type of tacker to be used and the purpose of use.
Select the shoulder width (width to secure the object) and leg length (depth to penetrate the object) according to the size and thickness of the material to be secured. Staples that are too small for the material should be used with caution, as they may jam.
If the staple is to be used in an area that is easily visible, choose a color staple that matches the object to be fastened so that the needle is less noticeable. Staples are available from the manufacturers of tackers.
Even though there is no difference in the size of each manufacturer’s staples, and even though they can be loaded and used, it is basically necessary to use the same manufacturer’s staples and tacker to prevent the needle from jamming in the tacker.
Other Information on Staples
1. How to Use a Tacker
- Staples are loaded into the magazine space on the tacker body.
- Always load the electric tacker with staples before plugging it in.
- Press the tacker firmly against the surface to be tackled.
- Pull the trigger to drive in the staple. If the staple is lifted by the recoil, it will not be driven in properly.
2. Staple Remover
This is a tool to remove staples. The principle of leverage makes it easy to remove staples. You can pull them out with pliers or nippers, but it is safer to use a staple remover because you may damage the material or break the legs.