Knowing what size staples to use can take time and effort. However, it's important to choose the right size for your project, as using the wrong size could cause damage to the material or may even result in staples not going into the material at all.
Before you purchase any staples, it is a must to consider that it will depend on the project, material, and, most importantly, if the staple fits in your staple gun. In this blog, we will clarify some doubts about if staples are all the same size, how they are measured, and what size you should use for your staple gun.
Are All Staples the Same Size?
The primary use of staples is woodworking; and not all staples are the same size. Staples come in various sizes and with a few different types of leg lengths, but the size will always depend on the application.
Below we will go over some applications and the kind of staple recommended:
Upholstery
To do upholstery work, staples with gauges 22, 21, and 20 are the most common. When upholstering, it is recommended to use staples instead of nails because staples have greater holding power thanks to the crown connecting their two legs.
How to Select the Best Staple?
To select the appropriate staple leg length, you should consider two main factors: the thickness of the material you are stapling and the hardness of the wood.
At FastenerUSA, we have created an series of upholstery staples for your next project:
- 15/32" Crown Duo-Fast 75 Carpet Pad Staples are made with electro-galvanized steel that can be used for carpet installation.
- The 3/16" Crown Duo-Fast 54 Carpet Staples are ideal for carpet installation and upholstery work.
- We also count on the 15/32" Crown Duo-Fast 75 selection made for light-duty tasks such as installing carpet pads or adding screening material.
Fine Carpentry
Staples are also common to use for lattice and cabinetry. In fine carpentry, cabinets and lattice typically require an 18-gauge staple, or the 3/16" Crown Duo-Fast 34 can be suitable. This type of gauge is used since the wire gauge is small enough not to damage or split the fine wood.
How to Select the Best Staple?
The 3/16" Crown Duo-Fast 34 and 18-gauge narrow crown staples are ideal for this type of project. We don't recommend using a staple that is bigger than 18 since it will damage the wood on your lattice or cabinet.
At FastenerUSA, we count on a selection of 18-gauge staples for you to use for your fine carpentry project.
How Are Staples Measured?
Staples usually have three measurements that are consistent across brands. Gauge, Crown, and Leg:
- Gauge: The gauge is a measurement of the thickness of the steel wire band material used to make the staples, the lower the number the thicker the gauge, the higher the number the thinner the gauge.
- Crown: The crown measurement is the overall distance across the legs. It is important to keep in mind that the measurement is sometimes proprietary and some manufacturers will occasionally round up or down for marketing purposes.
- Leg: The leg measurement is the overall embedded length of the staple and is sometimes measured in millimeters. For the most part we have standardized all our staple leg lengths into inches for convenience.
What Size Staples Do I Need for My Staple Gun?
The answer to what size do you need for your staple gun is that it depends. It is critical to match the brand and the model together to achieve the best results. Remember that it is also important to use the appropriate staple and staple gun for your project. At FastenerUSA, we have created a tool to help you quickly determine which staple is compatible with your specific gun model and brand.
Knowing what size staples to use can make a big difference in your project, especially if you are trying to get the most out of your staple gun. Ensure you get the right size so you don't run into any issues. Using the wrong size could damage the material, cause the staples not to be driven correctly, cause your stapler to jam or possibly not even load at all, leading to an incomplete job.
The Right Quality Staples for Your Projects
Understanding the differences between staples is important so you can make an informed decision when selecting the right size. Matching your gun model and brand will ensure that you achieve precise results and provide a secure fastening.
At FastenerUSA, all sizes of staples are available for different applications and projects. Our wide selection and "Find Fastener For My Tool" make it easy for you to get the right size and quality staples. Our free shipping option is a great way to save money while getting the right staples for your projects. We also offer discounts to construction companies when they want to buy large units. If you need customizable pricing, we can accommodate large sales as well. Check out our selection of staples today!
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