The Best Upholstery Stapler

Upholstery staplers come in three basic types: manual, electric, and pneumatic. Manual staple guns are the tool of choice for small home projects and occasional use. They are easy to use, come in several styles, and are inexpensive. Most manual guns require the operator to squeeze the handle each time they want to insert a staple which can quickly cause serious hand fatigue. They are also not able to drive staples completely into hard surfaces like wood. Manual upholstery staplers are good for light-duty crafts and small household jobs. They can be used for home decorating, fabric tacking, installing window or door screens and of course small upholstery repairs, like recovering a chair.

Electric upholstery staplers are either battery powered or power up with an electric cord. Electric models have triggers that only require light pressure, so they are easier to operate. Most electric upholstery staplers are adjustable to accommodate various fastener lengths. It is also common to find a safety feature which prevents the gun from firing unless the gun is in place and pressed properly. Even with this safety feature the electric upholstery gun should be kept out of the reach of children. They are generally more expensive than manual guns and are suitable for medium-size projects and occasional use.

Pneumatic upholstery staplers are designed for regular use when you need more power and speed. They do not require much strength to operate which results in less fatigue over time. The use of an air compressor gives these tools the power to shoot the staples through harder surfaces that the manual and electric are not able to penetrate. Active DIYers, handymen, and professionals will find that a pneumatic stapler will save them time and money. Pneumatic upholstery staplers are the most versatile and most powerful staplers on the market. They can be used for both small and large jobs.

The most important consideration in making the right purchase is how well this stapler matches its intended use. Another decisive factor in buying an upholstery gun is knowing the type, and size of fasteners you will need for your tasks. Staples are measured in inches or millimeters and express the height of the tines and the width of the crown. The more sizes and types of fasteners the stapler can adapt to, the more versatile the tool. Fasteners should interface well with your project materials. Heavy-duty staples could destroy a delicate piece of furniture. Light-weight, small staples would be ineffective stapling heavy material like vinyl or leather.

When shopping, be sure to look for a stapler that is designed to prevent jamming. Jamming can be very frustrating and can be an issue with staplers at all price points.

When buying a manual staple gun, select one that is easy to operate with just one hand. The other hand must be available to secure the materials that you are stapling. Look for an ergonomically-designed upholstery stapler which is more comfortable to hold and less stressful on your body after longer use.

Weight is also an important consideration. Upholstery guns range from 3 to 5 pounds. Lighter guns will be easier to handle but may not have the power to get the job done. A smaller upholstery stapler is very useful when getting into tight corners of upholstered furniture.

An electric stapler with a cord may require the use of extension cords to reach the job you’re working on. You may find you are hassling with the cord trying to keep it out of the way, but they are typically more powerful than battery-operated guns. A battery-operated stapler will also need to have the battery recharged consistently.

Pneumatic upholstery staple guns are the most powerful styles on the market. These also have a lot of versatility and are powerful enough for the heaviest jobs. Some pneumatic staplers accept continuous rounds, or magazines, of staples, so there is little time spent reloading. They also accept a larger variety of fasteners than manual or electric staple guns. With the power source being an air compressor, and therefore outside of the tool, the actual stapler is typically lighter than electric versions. Most models have a safety function to prevent misfiring.