Looking for recommendations on a narrow crown stapler

[Onebean]

I'd like to add a narrow crown stapler to my tool box. I've looked at the staplers available at Home Depot and Menards, but I really don't know how to tell what would work best for me. I've also looked at the Milwaukee cordless narrow crown stapler, and I like the idea of cordless. I already have M18 batteries, so that tool would be an easy add. Have you used the Milwaukee and do you like it?  What other staplers do you recommend? 

 

[jeffinsgf]

I got a Metabo/HPT at Lowe's a couple years ago and love it. I've had Paslode (before the merger) and Bostich, the Metabo/HPT is just as good for significantly less money. Being on the downhill side of life, I have not bought into cordless where pneumatic used to be. Don't know why...guess I just love hearing that "pop".

What I will say is that I think you'll love staples compared to 18 gauge nails. If it's somewhere that will show, the staple is a bit more obvious, but the holding power is vastly superior.

 

[woodferret]

I stuck with my Ryobi airstrike for crowns.  The M18 seemed to have the rare occasional issue with seals leaking on the internal nitrogen cartridge.  It's a design flaw I'm not entirely enamored with, but it is a relatively mature design.

If you're a heavy user and expect the lifetime of the tool to only last the warranty, then I think it's perfectly fine.  If you're a light user, I'd stick with the Airstrike.  They're both part of the TTI group, and I think the above is the reason why they didn't transfer the tech.  Airstrike is better suited for lighter duty cycles, while the "nitrogen air spring" is better for heavy usage and responsiveness.

* FWIW, I have the M12s for 23g and T50.  They also have the nitrogen cartridge - no issues so far but its early.  I'm willing to have to rebuy these after warranty.

** Senco Fusion also used the nitrogen style spring.  They rated it for 100k cycles before servicing.  And like automotive seals, note that these do still deteriorate over time regardless of cycles.

 

[Peter Kelly]

I've several Omer nail guns, this stapler and like it a lot. Keep your pneumatic tools lubricated and they'll last forever.

 

[Packard]

I have a narrow crown stapler.  I don’t use it often but it works well.  When I get home I will look at the model and manufacturer.

However, for reasons that escape me, there are several narrow crown staplers out there that run on 110 volt line voltage.  I tried one (I think it was a DeWalt) and it worked fine.  Much more convenient as you would not have to lug a compressor with you and I find that 110 volt outlets are pretty much everywhere. 

I just looked it up and it is under $70.00 at Home Depot.  I have not read any reviews on it though.

Milwaukee makes a battery powered version (more $$).

My suggestion is to imagine where and how you will use it to determine if you are going pneumatic, electric or battery powered.

 

[woodbutcherbower]

I'd suggest a 23g pin nailer for that application. I use a Makita 354DZ 12v cordless with the 4.0Ah battery. Works great, runs forever on a charge, and the tiny holes just fill with paint. Various pin length sizes available from 15mm to 35mm.

 

[squall_line]

I'd suggest a 23g pin nailer for that application. I use a Makita 354DZ 12v cordless with the 4.0Ah battery. Works great, runs forever on a charge, and the tiny holes just fill with paint. Various pin length sizes available from 15mm to 35mm.

For which application?  I feel like I missed part of the conversation, as I didn't think the OP or anyone else ever actually said what they were going to use it for.

I, for one, don't use a crown stapler for crown, I use it instead of a wide stapler to mount chicken wire and hardware cloth to PT lumber for the garden.

 

[lwoirhaye]

I use a Bostich but I think any name brand would work well.  I don't recall it ever jamming on me.  I also have a Metabo HPT cordless brad nailer and I think I may eventually phase out some of my air nailers in favor of that system.

 

[Onebean]

I did not specify my application, but I will. I've seen Jason Bent (Bent's woodworking on YouTube) use one to preassemble cabinets holding the panels in place while he adds screws. I have been building a bunch of cabinets, and I'd like to try this in an effort to refine my cabinet building. I'd also like to use it to fasten back panels to items like book cases. I recently completed 2 book cases 24" wide and 82" tall, with an 8" drawer on the bottom, a fixed shelf for records, and 5 adjustable shelves for books and other items. A crown stapler would have been a nice way to attached the thin back panels.

Thank you for all the recommendations. I'll explore these options more.   

 

[Muttley000]

I have my heart set on this one, but have not bought it yethttp://www.grexusa.com/grexusa/products.php5?id=9032

 

[live4ever]

I’ve been eyeing the Milwaukee NC stapler but can’t justify the price, which I find way too high relative to pneumatic counterparts.  Pneaumatic NC staplers are some of the cheapest nailers you can buy.  I’ve been using a cheapo Freeman for years without problems. 

 

[squall_line]

I did not specify my application, but I will. I've seen Jason Bent (Bent's woodworking on YouTube) use one to preassemble cabinets holding the panels in place while he adds screws. I have been building a bunch of cabinets, and I'd like to try this in an effort to refine my cabinet building. I'd also like to use it to fasten back panels to items like book cases. I recently completed 2 book cases 24" wide and 82" tall, with an 8" drawer on the bottom, a fixed shelf for records, and 5 adjustable shelves for books and other items. A crown stapler would have been a nice way to attached the thin back panels.

Thank you for all the recommendations. I'll explore these options more. 

I grabbed the Metabo HPT from Menards a few months ago and used it to attach a back panel to a melamine/chipboard networking equipment cabinet I slapped together.  It worked a treat, as they say, but I should have spent more time practicing and dialing it in, as I kept burying the staples through the panel.  I probably had my compressor set too high regardless of the instructions.

 

[Onebean]

Menards had the Metabo on sale for half price during Amazon Prime days, and I dug my feet on purchasing it. Now I'm regretting my decision. I think I'll just watch for that one to go on sale again. It should easily do the job I need done.

 

[waho6o9]

The cordless Milwaukee crown stapler works well for my needs.

 

[Packard]

I'd suggest a 23g pin nailer for that application. I use a Makita 354DZ 12v cordless with the 4.0Ah battery. Works great, runs forever on a charge, and the tiny holes just fill with paint. Various pin length sizes available from 15mm to 35mm.

I tried using 18 gage nails to hold a Masonite board on the back of a cabinet.  The board pulled right off the tiny heads. 

The narrow crown staples did not suffer that issue. 

They are also excellent for wiring (with the wire centering accessory) and for upholstery, though I usually use an electric stapler (with #50 staples) for that application.

The main advantage of the crown staples over any type of nail, is that they resist pull through. 

Staples (with glue) has the advantage of nearly 3/4” more depth to the cabinet compared to sliding the backer board in a groove. 

There is some functional overlap between 18/23 gage nails and crown staples, but they are not equivalent.  I use both.  There are situations where the nails would not be suitable, and others where the staples would not be suitable.  I feel lucky to have both.

 

[Crazyraceguy]

For those who aren't aware of the terminology, the "crown" is the width of the gap between the legs of the staple. "Narrow crown" is generally 1/4" and those are your basic "construction" type staples. (assembling cabinets, etc) Shorter ones are used for things like thin backs or drawer bottoms.
Wider crown type stapes vary some. The ones I have used were 1" wide, but there are others. They were used to staple cardboard (corrugated) onto wooden corner blocks, making reinforced trays.

I used a pneumatic RIGID from the HD for many years, hundreds of thousands of staples through that thing. The lock-out that is supposed to happen when you run out, stopped functioning after a few years, but it worked well in a hard life.
When it was destroyed a few years ago, I replaced it with the same thing. That one, though again many thousands of staples, failed after about 3 years.
I replaced it with a Dewalt. All pneumatic, since I have plenty of access to air. For the volume of staples that I shoot on any given day, it might be a bit rough on a battery model. They are also bulkier and heavier, but that's the price you pay for "self-contained". For site-work, it cuts out the expense and hassle of a compressor though.
It's all about what you really need to do with it....and where.