Air Staplers

[Andrew Dewey]

Hi folks,

I've read several threads in the archives about using narrow crown staples for frames and I'm getting ready to take the plunge. However, I noted in the archives that frequently people talk of using a 1 1/8" staple for frames. The inexpensive compressor / stapler combo kits I've seen handle a max 1" staple. Does that 1/8" make that much of a difference?

I've got about 400 frames to put together and I'm tired of hand nailing.

[jbford]

we got one for $30 from Harbor Freight that will drive up to 2" staples and brads. The brads are real useful for trim and baseboards and assembling crafts. Longer staples are prob'ly good for covers and bottom boards. Fingers are crossed but so far it is working great. Uses very little air, but likes 90psi for longer fasteners.

[Tom G. Laury]

I think the 1&1/8 is just a common length with a 1/8 crown. Just remember that the vertical staples through the top bar have almost no strength, no matter the size. You must either glue or side staple through the end bar in to the top bar. Otherwise your frames will pull apart.

[Michael Palmer]

I have a Bostich narrow crown stapler that takes 1/2 -1 3/8 staples. The gun is around $120

[bennybee]

I've always used a Porter Cable narrow crown stapler to assemble my frames and it works great. I use 1 1/4" on the top and 1" on the bottom bar. I always glue and have never had one come apart. I think the PC stapler is about $120 also. I do staple through the end bar into the top bar.

[honeyman46408]

I use the 20 buck special from Harbor Freight and I use 3/4" staples on frames never glue, glue and 1" staples is for boxes

[Michael Palmer]

One thing to consider when using narrow crown to make frames.

Each staple embeds the crown into the frame. Makes a groove. Two staples make two grooves...nearly all the way across the top bar. This weakens the top bar. It's like trying to break a stick. Won't break easily until you nick it with a knife. The stick breaks easily at the nicked spot. Same with lugs on top bar. They break at the spot where the staples are.

Better to use one staple and glue.

[longrangedog]

I bought a narrow crown stapler and a brad driver (both Dewalt) for great prices from Amazon. They've worked flawlessly for two years and hundreds of frames. To take advantage of their speed you must use a jig. I also glue and horizontal brad. Overkill maybe but makes for the strongest possible connections. By glueing you compensate for weakening the top bar when stapleing.

[lovettvineyard]

Here is one that does brads and staples up to 1 1/4".

http://www.cpocampbellhausfeld.com/clearance_center/nailers_and_staplers/brad_nailers/sb3232mvrb.html

[honeyman46408]

Each staple embeds the crown into the frame. Makes a groove. Two staples make two grooves...nearly all the way across the top bar.

I never staple the top of the top bar just through the end bars and as over kill I staple through the side of the end bar.

[Michael Bush]

Mine takes from 1/2" to 1 1/2" staples. I use the 1 1/2" for boxes. The 1" for frames. The 1/2" for putting screen wire on. The 1 1/4" for cleats etc. where I don't want to poke through two one bys. When I run out of 1" for the frames I sometimes use the 1 1/4".

[beemandan]

I have a Bostitch. Works fine. My biggest complaint is that standard narrow (1/4in) crown staples won't work in it. It requires 7/32in crown staples. Guess who is the only manufacturer of those?

[kwest]

do you guys use 1/8" crown staplers or 1/4" crown staplers?

[throrope]

I use a brad nailer that takes max 1 inch staples (1-1/8" brads) for 5-3/8" cut comb super frames. I glue when I remember or feel like it. I've had hand nailed frames come apart, but no air stapled ones. After a while, the girls add enough propolis that appears as good as glue.

I got a Craftsman 1 gallon oil free compressor and brad nailer kit as a close-out for less than $100 and refills are easy to get. It's so small and light weight I can sit in the family room with the TV and assemble all night.

I use a Stanley hand staple gun for the wedges. The hand gun is much easier on the slender wedges and pull/push out easily when prepping for next year.

After nails, brads and screws, this is the only way I'll do it.

I use Pierco for the brood chambers.

[Michael Bush]

Mine is 1/4".

[peacekeeperapiaries]

I use 1/4" crown and still glue everything.

[michael-bees]

I use a porter cable narrow crown for everything. Boxes and frames. Including frame wedges.

[throrope]

Guys, I just came from Home Depot where they have a Husky 2 gal compressor kit with brad nailer and accessories for $70.00 bucks. I'm sure the pros will wear it out the first year, but at that price its cheaper than taking turns.

[fish_stix]

The brad nailers are worthless for bee equipment of any type. Use staplers! When buying staples look for adhesive coated staples; Bostich does not coat theirs but some of the "generic" brands at HD and Lowe's do have a coating. The adhesive melts from friction as the staple is driven and helps the holding power. :)

[throrope]

fish_stix

Shhhhhh...Don't let my girls know.

BTW - most of the brad nailers I see also drive 1/8" crown staples.

[sdracer12]

I bought a B & D Narrow Crown air stapler/Brad Nailer Combo at Menards for less than 40$ last year. I also have a larger Dewalt finish nailer which looks very similar to the Black and Decker unit, lol. Anyway, both guns have worked flawlessly so far. Are all the staple guns adjustable for depth? I would make sure if I was buying a really cheap gun that it was still adjustable.

[bigeddie]

Brad nailer and titebond III. Once the glue dries it won't come apart.

[Andrew Dewey]

Hi folks -

I wanted to report that I ended up purchasing a Husky Trim-Plus 3 Gallon Compressor from Home Depot and a Factory-Reconditioned Bostitch U/SB-2IN1 2-In-1 Narrow Crown Stapler/18-Gauge Brad Nailer from Amazon.

Why Bostich? I've got an almost full box of 1" staples that a contractor working on my house left behind. If I didn't have those I would have gone with something that used the more standard 1/4" crown staple.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

[Jeffzhear]

BOSTITCH NARROW CROWN....I swear by mine....wouldn't own another