Top Electric Staple Guns for Upholstery Projects: Features and Tips
Regarding upholstery projects, many of our members and workshop students often ask us about the best staple gun to use. Different types are available, including pneumatic staple guns, electric staple guns, and hand-held staple guns. While these options could work, pneumatic staple guns are the most effective for upholstery. The key difference is that pneumatic staple guns provide more power, resulting in a more consistent and secure staple that goes all the way into the wood. In my experience, handheld and electric staple guns need more power to fully secure staples into hardwood frames. While a hand stapler may suffice for a dining room slip-seat project, it’s unsuitable for upholstering a fully upholstered chair.
I started with a FASCO long-nose staple gun. I prefer the long nose because it allows me to access hard-to-reach areas, such as deep channels along decorative wood and the top of the rails underneath the liner board.
What Does the Term “Crown” Imply?
The crown refers to the width across the top of the staple, which remains visible once used to secure the fabric. The crown size is specifically designed to fit different staple guns. It’s important to ensure that you purchase staples that are compatible with the staple gun you have. Various brands of staple guns often require different sizes of staple crowns. For instance, the Fasco model I own uses 22 gauge fine wire staples with three eight-inch crowns, also known as number seven or seven series staples.
Ensure Your Staples are Compatible with Your Staple Gun
I have a new favorite staple gun, the Sailrite longnose staple gun. It’s a pneumatic gun that uses 21-gauge staples with a half-inch crown. The larger crown size of the Sailrite staple can be seen in the image. If you’re working with vinyl or leather, the Sailrite gun is a great choice, as it uses heavier staples and reduces the risk of tearing.
On the other hand, the Arrow staple gun (the red one in the image) is a compact stapler but may only be suitable for some upholstery projects due to its nose safety feature. The Arrow gun uses T-50 staples, slightly larger than the 21-gauge staples used by the Sailrite gun. The T-50 staples have a crown width of 10 millimeters, just over three-eighths of an inch, but less than half an inch. The image shows the different crown sizes of the mentioned staples. Interchanging staples between these other guns is not recommended. It’s crucial to refer to the specification sheets or manuals provided with your staple gun to ensure you purchase the correct staples. Alternatively, you can find these specification sheets on their websites. The Sailrite specifications list the compatible staple brands for their gun, including B 80, FASCO 80, and Bostich AZ 33.
The Crown and Leg Length of a Staple are Two Different Things
I will also mention the lengths of the staples used in the membership videos. I typically use 1/4, 3/8, and 9/16 inch long staples. These measurements indicate the depth at which the staple goes into the wood, not the size that fits the gun. When discussing the height of staples that hold the staple gun, we refer to the crown of the staple.
It’s important to note that not all staple guns are suitable for upholstery. Crown molding staplers, for example, have small crowns and longer staple leg lengths, which could be better for upholstery work.
Another aspect to consider is the safety feature on the front end of the Arrow pneumatic staple gun. This safety mechanism must be fully pressed for the staple gun to release a staple. However, this safety can sometimes obstruct the stapling process, especially when working at angles or on specific areas like the top of the bottom rail beneath liner boards. While the Arrow pneumatic staple gun is generally a good choice, it may only suit some upholstery projects. It is possible to turn off the safety feature if desired.
Top Electric Staple Guns for Upholstery Projects: Features and Tips
Using the right staple gun is crucial for achieving professional results in upholstery projects. While various options are available, electric staple guns have become increasingly popular due to their ease of use and ability to handle heavier materials.
Here are some top electric staple guns that you can consider for your next upholstery project:
1. Stanley TRE550Z Electric Staple/Brad Nail Gun
The Stanley TRE550Z is a versatile staple gun that can be used for both upholstery and other DIY projects. It features a heavy-duty design, durable aluminum housing, and a comfortable extended-use grip. This electric staple gun can handle staples and brad nails, making it suitable for materials like fabric, wood, and plastic. With its easy-squeeze trigger and anti-jam mechanism, this staple gun is a reliable choice for any upholstery project.
2. Arrow Fastener T50ACD Corded Electric Staple Gun
The Arrow Fastener T50ACD electric staple gun is popular among professionals and DIY enthusiasts. It has a compact design that allows for easy maneuvering, making it perfect for precision work. This staple gun also has a high-impact composite body that can withstand heavy use. It features a bottom-load magazine for quick reloading and an adjustable exhaust cover to direct air away from your face while working.
3. Surebonder 9600B Heavy Duty Electric Staple Gun
As its name suggests, the Surebonder 9600B is a heavy-duty electric staple gun that can handle tough upholstery projects. It has a high-impact composite body and an ergonomic grip for comfortable use. What sets this staple gun apart is its ability to shoot both staples and brad nails up to 9/16 inches in length, making it suitable for various materials and thicknesses.
Tips for Using Electric Staple Guns for Upholstery
- Always wear safety glasses when using an electric staple gun to protect your eyes from flying debris.
- Test the staple gun on a scrap piece of fabric or wood before starting your project to ensure proper placement and depth.
- Make sure to use the correct size of staples or brad nails for your project. Using smaller ones may result in staples not securing properly while using bigger ones can damage the material.
- Keep your hands and fingers away from the staple gun’s firing area to avoid accidental injuries.
- Opt for a staple gun with an adjustable exhaust cover to direct air away from your face while working. This will prevent dust and debris from getting into your eyes or nose.
- Always unplug the staple gun when not in use and keep it out of reach from children.
Most Commonly Used Staple Sizes for Upholstery?
- 1/4″: Used to secure fabric to the end panels of furniture arms. We utilize two layers of panel board or 1/4″ luan, as longer staples would penetrate through.
- 3/8″: Employed to attach fabric and padding to the frame.
- 9/16″: Utilized for affixing jute webbing strips and tagless that support body weight. This longer length is also recommended when going through multiple layers of material and cardboard tack strips. It is also suitable for attaching skirts to an upholstery project.
Conclusion: Let’s have fun shopping for an upholstery staple gun!
When you’re looking to buy your next staple gun for upholstery, it’s important to choose a suitable brand. Many reputable brands are available, so one brand is not significantly better than the others. Consider your budget and what’s accessible to you, but also purchase the appropriate staples for the staple gun you choose. This information is useful for your upholstery staple gun shopping and buying.
