Staples

About Staples

Staples are essential fastening consumables used across construction, woodworking, upholstery, electrical installation and general building projects. Unlike nails, staples feature two parallel legs connected by a crown, creating a secure hold that's particularly effective for fixing fabrics, cables, insulation and thin materials to wood or other substrates. Professional-grade staples are manufactured from hardened steel or stainless steel for durability and corrosion resistance, with specific designs tailored to different applications and staple gun models.

The staples available from Tooled-Up.com cover a comprehensive range of sizes, crown widths and leg lengths to suit various fixing requirements. From light-duty staples for craft and upholstery work to heavy-duty fasteners for roofing felt and insulation, selecting the correct staple type ensures optimal holding power and prevents jamming or misfiring in your staple gun or tacker. Specialist varieties include wiring staples with rounded crowns that avoid damaging cables, insulated staples for electrical work, and divergent-point staples that spread within the material for enhanced grip.

Leading manufacturers represented in the Tooled-Up range include Arrow, Draper, Rapid, Stanley Bostitch, DeWalt, Bosch Professional, Makita and Milwaukee. Each brand produces staples engineered to precise tolerances, ensuring compatibility with their respective tools and reliable performance across thousands of firings. Whether you're fitting underlay, securing vapour barriers, installing cable runs or tackling upholstery projects, professional staples deliver the consistency and strength that trade applications demand.

Jargon Buster

• Crown Width: The measurement across the top of the staple that makes contact with the material being fastened. Narrow crowns (typically 5-6mm) are suitable for delicate work, whilst wide crowns (10mm+) distribute load across a larger area for heavy-duty applications.
• Leg Length: The depth to which the staple penetrates the substrate, typically ranging from 6mm for light materials up to 14mm or more for thick insulation or multiple layers. Always ensure adequate penetration into the base material for secure fixing.
• Divergent Point: Staple legs that angle outward slightly after penetration, spreading within the material to resist pull-out. Particularly effective in wood and composite materials where maximum holding strength is required.
• Round Crown Staples: Also called cable staples or wiring staples, these feature a curved crown designed to secure electrical cables, telephone wires or other round materials without crushing or damaging the insulation.
• Gauge: The wire thickness from which the staple is manufactured. Lower gauge numbers indicate thicker wire and stronger staples. Professional staples typically range from 18 to 23 gauge depending on the application.
• Chisel Point: Sharp, flat-ground tips that provide clean penetration through tough materials. Standard on most general-purpose staples for wood and similar substrates.

Who Uses Staples?

• Electricians and Data Cablers: For securing low-voltage cables, telephone wiring and data cables along joists and studwork using insulated or round crown staples
• Roofers: Fixing roofing felt, breathable membranes and underlay with heavy-duty staples designed for rapid installation
• Carpenters and Joiners: Installing underlay, securing dust sheets, temporary fixings and general workshop applications
• Upholsterers: Attaching fabrics, webbing, hessian and padding to furniture frames with precision and speed
• Insulation Installers: Fixing insulation batts, vapour barriers and reflective foil using wide crown staples for secure hold without tearing
• Fencing Contractors: Securing chicken wire, rabbit fencing and garden mesh to wooden posts and rails
• Shopfitters and Exhibition Builders: Quick assembly of temporary structures, fabric displays and signage mounting
• Flooring Fitters: Installing carpet underlay and securing floor coverings during preparation work
• DIY Enthusiasts: Household repairs, craft projects, garden maintenance and general fixing tasks

How to Choose the Right Staples

Tool Compatibility: Always check the staple type designation for your specific staple gun or tacker model. Common series include Arrow T50, Rapid 53, Stanley Type G and manufacturer-specific designations. Using incompatible staples will cause jamming and may damage your tool.

Application Requirements: Match the staple design to your task. Use round crown staples for cable work to avoid damaging insulation, flat crown staples for general fastening, and heavy-duty staples with longer legs for thick materials like insulation or multiple fabric layers.

Material Thickness: The staple leg length must be sufficient to penetrate through the material being fixed and embed adequately into the substrate. As a guideline, legs should penetrate at least 10-12mm into the base material for secure holding. For thin materials on solid substrates, 6-8mm legs suffice, whilst thick insulation may require 14mm or longer.

Environmental Conditions: For outdoor applications or damp environments, specify stainless steel or monel staples to prevent corrosion. Standard steel staples are suitable for interior work where moisture exposure is minimal. Galvanised staples offer moderate corrosion resistance for semi-exposed locations.

Material Hardness: Hardwoods and engineered materials require staples manufactured from hardened steel with chisel points for reliable penetration. Softer materials like pine, insulation or fabrics work well with standard steel staples.

Pack Quantity: Professional users tackling large projects benefit from bulk packs or multi-packs that reduce unit cost and minimise downtime for reloading. Tooled-Up stocks various pack sizes from small 1000-piece boxes for occasional use to bulk quantities for trade applications.

Popular Accessories

• Manual Staple Guns: Hand-operated tackers for general fixing work where portability and control are priorities
• Electric Staple Guns: 240v powered models for high-volume work with reduced hand fatigue
• Pneumatic Staplers: Air-powered tools delivering rapid, consistent firing for professional applications
• Hammer Tackers: Swing-action tools for quick installation of roofing felt and underlay
• Cordless Staplers: Battery-powered freedom for site work without cables or compressors
• Staple Removers: Specialised tools for cleanly extracting staples without damaging substrates
• Safety Glasses: Essential PPE to protect against ricocheting staples or debris
• Work Gloves: Protect hands whilst handling materials and operating stapling tools

Safety Information

Staple guns and tackers are powerful fastening tools that require careful handling. Always wear safety glasses when operating stapling equipment to protect against ricocheting staples or material fragments. Never point a staple gun at yourself or others, and keep fingers clear of the firing area. Disconnect power tools from the mains supply or remove battery packs when clearing jams or performing maintenance.

When using pneumatic staplers, ensure air pressure is set according to manufacturer specifications—excessive pressure may cause staples to overpenetrate or ricochet. Inspect staples before loading to ensure they're free from corrosion or damage that could cause jamming. Work in well-lit conditions and maintain stable footing, particularly when working at height on roofing or similar applications.

For electrical installation work using wiring staples, always ensure cables are properly rated and installed to BS 7671 wiring regulations. Take care not to overdrive staples into cables, which could damage insulation and create hazardous conditions. Consult HSE guidance for specific applications involving hazardous materials or working environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any staples in my staple gun?

No—staples must match your specific tool model. Each staple gun is designed for particular staple types with specific crown widths, leg lengths and wire gauges. Check your tool's manual or markings for the correct staple designation (such as Arrow T50, Rapid 53, etc.) and purchase compatible staples to ensure proper feeding and firing.

What's the difference between flat crown and round crown staples?

Flat crown staples have a straight top designed for general fastening of flat materials like fabric, felt and thin wood. Round crown (wiring) staples feature a curved top that fits around cables and wires, securing them without crushing or damaging the insulation. Always use round crown staples for electrical cable work.

How do I know what leg length I need?

The staple legs should penetrate through the material being fixed and embed at least 10-12mm into the substrate for secure holding. Measure your material thickness and add 10-12mm minimum. For example, fixing 3mm material to wood requires staples with at least 13-15mm leg length. Packaging typically indicates suitable material thicknesses.

Why do my staples keep jamming?

Common causes include using incorrect staple types, worn or damaged tools, debris in the magazine, or attempting to fire through materials that are too thick or hard for your stapler's capacity. Ensure you're using the correct staple type, keep the tool clean, and don't exceed the manufacturer's recommended material specifications.

Are stainless steel staples worth the extra cost?

For outdoor applications, damp environments or anywhere moisture exposure occurs, stainless steel staples prevent rust staining and structural weakening caused by corrosion. Whilst more expensive than standard steel, they're essential for exterior work, bathroom installations and marine applications where longevity is critical. Standard steel staples are perfectly adequate for dry interior applications.