Staple Guns
Staple Gun kits are for fixing sheet, fabric, cable clips and membranes fast without messing about with pins, tacks or adhesive on site.
Whether you're stretching fabric, fixing insulation, securing breather membrane or clipping low-voltage cable runs, the right staple gun saves time and keeps the job tidy. Manual tackers suit lighter trim and upholstery work, while an electric staple gun or hammer tacker earns its keep on bigger runs where speed matters. Match the tool to the material, buy the right Staples, and get set up properly first time.
What Jobs Are Staple Guns Best At?
- Fixing breather membrane, roofing felt and vapour barriers is where a hammer tacker comes into its own, especially when you are covering larger areas and need quick repeat fastening.
- Stretching fabric and securing backing material on chairs, panels and benches is proper upholstery staple gun work, where controlled firing and the right staple length stop you tearing the material.
- Running low-voltage cable neatly along timber battens or inside cupboards is a solid job for a cable tacker, as it holds the run without crushing or damaging the cable.
- Pinning insulation, netting, thin sheet material or polythene in place during first fix or refurbishment is a straightforward use for a manual tacker when you just need reliable hold in timber.
- Working through repeated trim and fit-out jobs suits an electric staple gun because it cuts hand strain and keeps fastening speed consistent when you have a lot of fixings to get through.
Choosing the Right Staple Gun
Sorting the right one is simple: match the staple gun to the material, the volume of fixing, and how much control the job needs.
1. Manual Tacker vs Electric Staple Gun
If you are doing smaller jobs, snagging or occasional upholstery work, a manual tacker is usually enough and easier to keep in the tool bag. If you are firing staples all day on fit-out or repetitive fixing work, an electric staple gun is worth it just to save your hands.
2. Fine Fabric Work vs General Site Fixing
For upholstery, backing boards and trim, go for an upholstery staple gun that gives you better control and cleaner placement. For membranes, sheeting and rougher fixing into timber, a heavier duty stapler with more driving force makes more sense.
3. Cable Tacker or Standard Staple Gun
Do not try and bodge cable fixing with a standard staple gun if the staple can pinch the sheath. If the job is cable runs, use a proper cable tacker designed to hold the cable without crushing it.
4. Single Placement vs Fast Coverage
If you need accuracy around corners, edges or visible trim, pick a standard manual or electric model with a clear nose. If you are covering felt or membrane over bigger sections, a hammer tacker is much quicker but not the tool for neat finish work.
Who Uses These on Site?
- Decorators use staple guns for fixing lining paper, dust sheets, protective coverings and lightweight materials during prep, especially on refurbs where speed matters and the finish still needs to stay tidy.
- Upholsterers and joiners swear by a manual tacker or upholstery staple gun for stretching and fixing fabric, webbing and trim, where staple depth and control matter more than brute force.
- Roofers and timber frame crews reach for hammer tackers when fixing felt, membrane and wraps across wider runs, because it is quicker than stopping to place individual fixings by hand.
- Sparkies and data installers use cable tackers for clipping lighter cable runs to timber in cupboards, lofts and service voids without crushing the sheath.
- Maintenance teams keep an electric staple gun in the van for repeat repair jobs, display boards, insulation fixes and quick internal works where hand fatigue soon catches up with you.
Staple Gun Accessories That Save Time on Site
Get the basics right and your staple gun will work cleaner, jam less, and hold materials properly.
1. Correct Staples
This is the one that catches people out. Wrong crown, wrong leg length or the wrong gauge and you end up with poor hold, proud fixings or constant jams. Buy the exact staple type your gun takes and match the length to the material, not guesswork.
2. Spare Battery or Charger
If you are using an electric staple gun on repeat work, a spare battery is a no-brainer. You do not want the tool dying halfway through a long membrane run or while finishing a batch of upholstery panels.
3. Carry Case or Storage Box
Loose staples, bent strips and a gun rattling round the van are asking for jams and damage. A proper case keeps staple sizes separate and stops the tool getting knocked about between jobs.
Choose the Right Staple Gun for the Job
Use this quick guide to sort the right tacker for the work in front of you.
| Your Job | Staple Gun or Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Occasional trim fixing, thin sheet and light site jobs | Manual Tacker | Simple loading, good control, compact size, no battery to manage |
| Upholstery, fabric stretching and backing boards | Upholstery Staple Gun | Clean placement, controlled firing, suits shorter staples and finish work |
| Repeat fastening through the day on fit-out or maintenance work | Electric Staple Gun | Less hand strain, consistent drive, quicker on repetitive jobs |
| Fixing felt, wraps and membranes over larger areas | Hammer Tacker | Fast coverage, one-handed use, built for speed rather than precision |
| Securing lighter cable runs to timber | Cable Tacker | Staple shape designed to hold cable without pinching or damaging it |
Common Buying and Usage Mistakes
- Buying by price and not by staple type is the usual mistake. If the gun does not take the staple size you need, you will fight jams and poor fixing from day one.
- Using a standard staple gun on cables is a bad shout. The wrong staple can crush the sheath, so use a proper cable tacker where cable fixing is the job.
- Picking staples that are too long for the material often blows through the face or leaves rough points out the back. Match staple length to the combined material thickness and base material.
- Using a hammer tacker for finish work usually ends in uneven lines and marked surfaces. Keep it for fast coverage jobs and use a manual or electric staple gun where placement matters.
- Ignoring hand fatigue on bigger jobs slows you down more than people think. If you are firing hundreds of staples in a day, move up to an electric staple gun and save your grip for the rest of the work.
Manual Tacker vs Electric Staple Gun vs Hammer Tacker
Manual Tacker
Best for lighter fixing, upholstery, trim and odd jobs round site or workshop. It gives you more feel and control, but on long runs your hand will know about it.
Electric Staple Gun
The better choice for repeat work where you want steady driving force and less strain. It is quicker over the day than a manual tacker, but bulkier and usually costs more.
Hammer Tacker
Built for speed on felt, wrap and membrane jobs where neat individual placement is not the priority. It covers ground fast, but it is not the right tool for upholstery or accurate edge work.
Cable Tacker
This is the specialist option for securing cable runs safely to timber. It does one job properly and avoids the damage you risk when trying to improvise with a standard heavy duty stapler.
Maintenance and Care
Keep the Magazine Clean
Dust, bits of fabric and broken staple legs build up quickly in the magazine. Clear it out regularly or you will end up chasing jams when the job should already be done.
Use the Right Staples Every Time
A lot of wear comes from forcing the wrong staples through the tool. Stick to the correct type and size for the gun, and it will feed cleaner and last longer.
Check the Striking Face and Nose
If the nose gets bent or clogged, staple placement goes off and misfires start creeping in. Give it a look over after van knocks or if the gun starts firing unevenly.
Store It Dry and Loaded Properly
Leaving a staple gun wet in the van is a good way to invite rust and feed issues. Keep it dry, store staples clean, and do not leave damaged strips jammed in the magazine.
Replace Worn Parts Before the Tool Becomes a Nuisance
If springs weaken or the driver starts marking up material, sort it early. On a cheap manual tacker replacement may make more sense, but on better electric models it is worth servicing if parts are available.
Why Shop for Staple Guns at ITS?
Whether you need a manual tacker for snagging work, an electric staple gun for repeat fixing, or a hammer tacker for felt and membrane, we stock the full range. That means staple guns, heavy duty staplers, cable tackers and the staple sizes to go with them, all in our own warehouse and ready for next day delivery.
Staple Gun FAQs
What size staples are required for heavy-duty decorating?
It depends on what you are fixing and what you are fixing into. For heavier decorating work like insulation, sheeting or protective coverings into timber, most users step up to longer legs for better bite. The safe answer is always check the gun capacity first, then match the staple length to the combined material thickness so it holds properly without blowing through.
Can I use a manual staple gun for upholstery projects?
Yes, for plenty of upholstery jobs a manual staple gun is still the right call. It gives you better control on fabric, backing boards and trim, especially when you are working carefully round corners. Just make sure the gun takes the staple size your material needs, because too much staple length will mark or punch through the work.
Is an electric staple gun safer than a manual one for DIY use?
Not automatically, but it can be easier to use consistently because you are not fighting the squeeze force all day. A manual tacker is simple and direct, while an electric staple gun reduces strain and usually gives more even driving. Either way, safe use comes down to keeping your free hand clear, using the correct staples, and never firing into unknown surfaces.
Will a staple gun go into hardwood or is it really just for soft timber?
Some will, some will not. A light manual tacker is usually happiest in softwood, sheet material and fabric-backed jobs. If you are trying to fix into harder timber regularly, you need a stronger heavy duty stapler or electric model, and even then staple choice matters. Forcing the wrong gun into hardwood is how you get bent staples and a jammed tool.
Are hammer tackers any good for precise work?
Honestly, no. They are quick, and that is why roofers and membrane teams like them, but they are built for speed over large areas rather than neat placement. If the fixing line is visible or accuracy matters, use a standard manual or electric staple gun instead.
Do staple guns jam much on site?
They can if you use cheap or wrong-size staples, or if the magazine fills up with dust and broken legs. Keep the feed clean, do not mix staple types, and do not force the tool when it misfires. Most jamming trouble comes down to setup rather than the gun itself.
