electric stapler or air ?

[rfuerst911sc]

I'm going to be stapling up kraft faced insulation in my garage. I will be up on ladders or scaffolding so to make the job a little easier I want to purchase either an electric stapler or an air driven one. I have had the mechanical Arrow T50 forever but the reviews of their electric version are mixed. And I have an industrial Ingersol Rand compressor so air supply not an issue. So any of you out there have used either/both and can give some advice ?

[JJ 911SC]

Since you already got the compressor I would go with the air one.

IIRC when I use the Arrow one the staples were not always flush.

[on2wheels52]

I've never had a serious electric one come through the shop. The construction guys all use air. Bostich is the most popular in my area.
Jim

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

Since you already got the compressor I would go with the air one.

IIRC when I use the Arrow one the staples were not always flush.

That seems to be the over whelming complaint on the electrics is they lack power. I looked up a Surebonder 9600 air driven that seems to have mostly positive reviews and it uses readily available Arrow T50 staples. I can buy locally or on the net so I think that's what I will go with.

[cabmandone]

I've got both air and electric. I use my electric more than my air to be honest. I have never had a problem with the Bostitch electric stapler driving staples. It has a dial for adjusting the depth.
My air stapler is a spotnails brand I believe. I had a surebonder that was crap, failed after the third clip of staples. The plus is the company did a great job with the warranty replacement. I haven't used the replacement.

[porsche4life]

I've always been happy with the harbor freight air nailers and staplers. Especially for that project. Pick up a 50' lightweight braided poly airhose while you are there. Will be less weight to drag around.

[rick-l]

how bout this?

Heavy Duty Hammer Tacker

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by rick-l

how bout this?

Heavy Duty Hammer Tacker

Those are great for putting down roofing felt and tacking house wrap but they're a little difficult to use putting up insulation when you're swinging at a 1 1/2 inch board. If you take your time with them they'll work fine but if you get in a hurry you end up tearing a lot of the facing. For this job I'd stick to air or electric or go old school and buy a heavy duty hand operated stapler. I liked the Black and Decker that squeezed to the front rather than the back. They fired easily and didn't have a problem going into pine.

Here's the B&D stapler I'm referencing http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1295964

[rfuerst911sc]

I was just on the Harbor Freight website and they have a wide staple air stapler that takes Arrow T50 staples for $22.00. About 6.00-7.00 less than the Surebonder and I would bet it is made by the same company. I have a Harbor Freight small brad air nailer and it has worked great with zero issues. I may have to swing by HF with a 10% off coupon !

[cabmandone]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I was just on the Harbor Freight website and they have a wide staple air stapler that takes Arrow T50 staples for $22.00. About 6.00-7.00 less than the Surebonder and I would bet it is made by the same company. I have a Harbor Freight small brad air nailer and it has worked great with zero issues. I may have to swing by HF with a 10% off coupon !

How far wrong can you go for $20? I bought a 12 pack for $20 and I'm sure it didn't last as long as that stapler will.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by cabmando

How far wrong can you go for $20? I bought a 12 pack for $20 and I'm sure it didn't last as long as that stapler will.

Haha with a 20% off coupon I can get it for about 16.00 ! I agree it's a no brainer and my 18 pack of Michelob cost more than the stapler !

[ckelly78z]

I like my electric, but you have to press it onto what you are stapling to get it to bury the staple....especially in nativre hardwood like my house has alot of.

[Rot 911]

My electric is ok for stapling into pine 2x4's, but sucks stapling into plywood. I would go with air.