Air Stapler or Electrical Toner?

[crokett]

I am considering using one of my birthday gift cards to assist in the purchase of a stapler. A job I know I can use it on is the lathe that holds the screen for the screened porch. The staples will hold the lathe better than finish nails would. Other than that or installing carpeting, what else can I use one for? Another option I have is a toner that would immediately help with the wiring of the shop. I can use my multimeter for continuity checks but I think the toner is quicker and easier.

[jonmulzer]

I use my stapler for lots of stuff. When I put on plywood backs I find that the staples hold much better in thin plywood. Any sort of thin sheet stock holds better with staples than it will with brads or finish nails. On quick-n-easy drawers for the shop I staple the plywood to the bottom instead of dadoing it in. You might not see much of a use for it now, but if you had one you would be reaching for it constantly.

[tfischer]

I got my stapler for repairing an outdoor rose lattice and wasn't quite sure what I'd do with it after that, but it was only $30 at HF so didn't really mind. It's come in really handy though. Not something I reach for regularly, but there are some jobs, as noted above, that just work better with staples. Actually anywhere you'd use a brad nail but don't need to hide the head is probably going to be stronger with a staple...

[Richard in Smithville]

David, I own a number of staplers and they have been used in just about everything.....at my brother in law's house. Seriously though, I don't know how I ever got along with out my air nailer/stapler or the hand held shop stapler.

[Bill in Buena Park]

+1 on the stapler - useful for every place a fastener will be hidden and the staples are long enough. My 1/4in crown stapler takes up to 1-1/2in staples, which is probably good enough to tack 1/2in ply or other stock.

So the question is... 1/4in crown, or 1/2in crown? You mentioned carpet, and I'm thinking 1/4in crown sounds a little narrow for that... but then again, I haven't tried that application.

[crokett]

I mentioned carpet because that is the only other thing I could see using a stapler for. I don't actually plan to install carpet with it. Thanks for the suggestions. I haven't done much real woodorking in a year or so but that is because the time I have that I can do woodworking everyone is asleep and the shop is under my daughter's bedroom. Well at least until I get the interior of the new one ready.

So next quetion as was already asked, 1/4" or 1/2" crown?

[Uncle Cracker]

The stapler can be used almost anywhere you would use a finish nail (except a very visible place that needs the smallest and most easily-concealed hole). The upside is that you are much less prone to have the staples pull through the material, so if strength is the critical factor, use the staples. Only other problem I find with staples is their tendency to raise the fibers of wood when very near the edge of luan or standard ply.

[Hellrazor]

I would buy the toner... but I have a PC stapler I got for "free" as part of a rebate. I don't recall doing anything with it in the 2 years I have it....

[JR]

Stapler can be used for putting drop cloths on walls or over windows (if only your shop's previous owner had known that!). Also good for chair repair if you have to remove the cloth in the underside. Carpet pad is tacked in place in some applications.

JR

[Kristofor]

I have both... I would say if I had neither, that in time I'd want to have both again... The "toner" really only does one trick but it's a huge time saver when you need it.

At the low end each of those can be picked up for at or less than $20-30. That grade (HF stapler and PC Stapler, no-name toner) has served me fine (at home) so far.