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Is there a decent hammer type stapler available? The Arrow “professional” one I currently own either bends the staples, doesn’t drive them all the way (even really swingin’ it) or jams (or combinations thereof). Other people I know claim this is endemic to the species but there’s gotta’ be a better way…..
Sam
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Replies
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Sam , I have the same problems with my Arrows . They also tear hell out of roofing felt if you dont hit really flat , which is kinda hard to do without bustin your knuckles . I saw a hammer stapler that had an angled handle that would help with the knuckle thing [ maybe bostich ? ] I think Duofast makes hammer staplers too . Chuck
*all the guys on our site have red tuck tape holding the rivets in place maybe its a canadian thing eh!!!!
*Sam - I've had good luck with my "Rapid 11 - model C". If you need, I could pick one up in Yelm and UPS it to you, will get there the next day. I haven't looked in a couple years, but I think they are around 30.00. Good tool. (I don't think you can put 1/2" staples in them though)I never had good luck with Arrows. Frikken spring is always flyin' out, off the roof, wherever. You might try using shorter staples if you're bending a lot of them. I usually use 5/16" for felt paper, works fine. - jb
*Thanks for the info, I was begining to think I had some fundamental problem with those damn staplers, like maybe I was "stapler challenged" or something. That comment about tearing the roofing felt, Chuck, ain't that the truth! I was doing some roofing a short time back and that stapler just about went flyin'.....Sam
*I'll second the recommendation on the Rapid 11. I had been using Duofast prior and the damn thing jammed all the time. My Rapid 11 works great. If you have a Kel-Welco tool distributor in your area they were running a deal where you got a Rapid 11 with a case of Prebena staples. If you cant find one Id be happy to pick one or two up for you.Dave
*Sam,My crew has been using Rapid staplers since the fall. I can't remeber the model but it is the small one, about 8-9" long. It is small enough to fit in my tool bags and never fall out. We had a Duofast and a Rapid 11?. The smaller stapler is the best for us.
*A third vote for the Rapid 11. Leave it to the Swedes, or the Swiss, or wherever the hell they come from, it WORKS! Don't be fooled by all the metric hooby-bungles on the package, Arrow staples (at least 1/4 and 3/8 inch) work just fine in them. And no, you shouldn't pay more than $30 for one.
*Update on the stapler situation.... After using a Rapid 11 for a day, I'm sold! That jewel works like a charm, no bent staples, fully driven, PLUS, it has a slight angle on the head to keep your knuckles and the felt safe. Better pick one up Chuck..... Thanks Jim! Sam
*Is " Rapid " a regional brand or only available at roofing supply houses ? I've never seen that in my neck of the woods . And I'm always on the lookout for tools . Chuck
*They sell them in our local lumber yard Chuck. Sounds like they are available elsewhere around the country. If you get stuck, or decide later you want one, give a holler and I'll send you one. They are 24.50 (or thereabouts) and well worth it. I've never had any problems with mine, and it has taken plenty of falls in the mud and days in the rain. - jb
*Thanks Jim , I may take you up on that later .
*Kel-Welco Distributing, IncPhone: 800-209-3526Fax: 800-798-4088
*To ALL,I called the Kel-Welco people ( at their 800 number) and talked to their sales people. They carry the Prebena staples but know nothing about the Rapid 11 stapler.Question of the day: What is the name of the Company that makes the stapler?
*I think it's "Rapid" Ken. If anyone wants one, let me know, they stock them at our local yard.
*I have used 3-4 brands of staplers over the years with mixed results.They all seem to tear roofing felt and fall apart at the worst time. they also seem to need reloading at the most inconvenient moment.About 4 months ago I stopped stapleing and started HAND NAILING with plastic cap nails ,and much to my suprise found that for me hand nailing was FASTER.The big capnails required much fewer fastners and as a roofer I was already used to driving a lot of short nails fast with my hatchet.This method may not be as productive for carpenters swing framing hammers. I also wouldn't want to try installing house wrap alone this way.good Luck,Stephen
*Stephen,We have been using button caps or plastic cap nails for roofing felt for quite some time now, as do many others in our area. Aside from the advantages you mentioned, we feel more secure walking on the nailed felt paper than the stapled.Don't know if you've seen it, but Hitachi now makes a pneumatic gun that shoots plastic cap nails in coils. Runs between $500 and $600. I think we'll be buying one soon. Roy.
*A hammer stapler that works?! Ive been using my Duofast felt cutter off and on for years but when the felt all blows off I nail it back on with my roofing gun. Can we get Rapid mail order?
*I checked the stapler that we have been using for the model#. It is a Rapid 19. It is much smaller than the 11. My crew really likes its.
*Who makes all these Rapid staplers, in what city, and and as successful as they apparently are, what is the web page location for this company? ( first correct answer gets 2 milkbones )
*Rapid 11 is manufactured by Isaberg AB, S-330 27 Hestra, Sweden. That is exactly what it says on the package. No 800 number or web address. The model I have is sold as the "Proliner" but it says on the stapler "Model C". Kinda odd, huh? - jb
*Jim "crazy legs" blodgett,The Milkbone Distribution Committee has met since your last post; has determined that your information is accurate, and is sending you two premium milkbones for your correct reply ( Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery).
*Rapid's web address is http://www.isaberg-rapid.comjimp.s. How do you some of you post a web address so it can be clicked on and go directly to the site??
*JimL,The Milkbone Distribution Committee, has decided to go outside their normal bounds of distribution and has awarded you 2 premium Milkbones for your additional information concerning the correct web page address for Rapid Staplers.Someone like andrewd, or a variety of other sharpshooting computer literates in Breaktime can answer your question about how to click on web location to open it. I'd like to know that technique also.
*packaged by weight not volume , some settling may occur in shipping
*One more timehttp://www.amazon.com
*I worry what you guys would do without me: http://www.isaberg-rapid.se/ :)They seem best known for their office staplers. But they do make hammer tackers. (Page forward through the sales pitch ... nice pictures for a staple company!)All you need now is to track down a U.S. distributor or mail-order company. Hope this helps.I stumbled across one supplier: http://www.nail1.com/2tools.html And of course Mr. Blodgett...
*Stephen,I agree round tops or square tops definitely need to be in `our' bag of tricks. Nothing beats roundtops if you must walk on a felted roof with any pitch to it. I've used Bostich (they suck), Arrow (the worst), Some unremembered Scandinavian stapler that began with an H (can you tell I don't really remember this one), and a Duofast that I still own and very much like.Disclaimer: just my opinion.Joe
*For some reason I decided to re-read this post today. I linked into the website for the Rapid staplers and couldn't help but notice that they look very, very much like those sold by both Stanley and Craftsman. Now, I know that the Craftsman model is supplied through Stanley, so now I'm wondering if maybe Stanley is having their hammer tackers manufactured by Isaberg. I think I am going to buy the Craftsman tacker next time I need one, I'll gladly retire my Arrow. I will say that the one thing that I will miss is being able to hang the Arrow tacker from the spare hammer holder on my toolbelt. I'll keep you all updated - Nick
*I bought the Rapid a while back based on all the above and I like it a lot. Its a little slow to load, but its the best one I've used.
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Is there a decent hammer type stapler available? The Arrow "professional" one I currently own either bends the staples, doesn't drive them all the way (even really swingin' it) or jams (or combinations thereof). Other people I know claim this is endemic to the species but there's gotta' be a better way.....
Sam