Need advice - Which brand/model Upholstery air stapler to buy

[RansomEli]

There are some really good upholsterers on the AACA forum. I need your advice.

I will be doing some upholstery work on my old cars and need to buy an air stapler. I bought one from a generic tool store (HF), but it just didn't work well. This time I want to pay more and get a quality product. I am not an upholstery expert so will be doing a lot of trial and error.

What air-powered brand and model do you recommend for someone who will be doing upholstery work on some brass and early '20s cars? Should I be looking for a rechargeable model?

Thanks in advance.

[trimacar]

Well, I'll make a couple of comments.

First, to be absolutely authentic on brass and early cars, you need to learn to spit tacks. The first time someone sees a nice shiny staple on that 1912 Gomobile, it's gonna get a laugh.

Second, as much as I'm a purist, staples do make the job go much quicker. So, I can leave that choice somewhat up the the owner of the car. If he wants absolute authenticity, then I'll spit tacks. If he wants to save a few dollars, I can use staples. As long as they're hidden, judges, and you don't see them, no points off, right?

I still use tacks for test fitting, for instance fitting top panels, as you can control them, drive them in half way and easily remove.

Now, if you're going to get a stapler, the no-name brands are fine until they jam or break, which usually is very quickly. They're really a waste of money.

Get a Porter-Cable, air operated, 1/2 inch crown, with a selection of staples of different lengths. Use a quick disconnect on the air fitting, and a flexible coiled hose to that connection. You'll have to play with air pressure a little bit depending on what you're stapling, and what you're stapling into.

I'm not big on electric ones, to get one that's powerful enough, they can get heavy, and you have a lot of control with an air operated stapler.

My two cents....

[Restorer32]

Not much I can add. Forget the electric staplers, go with air. Ours came from McMaster-Carr. Make sure you have a regulator so you can adjust the pressure. At full pressure ours will shoot staples almost completely thru leather.

[trimacar]

It'll also shoot through a thin nailing strip, and right into whichever hand might be holding the back side of what the strip is attached to.....not that I'd ever do that.

Reminds me of the time I put a long tack through the aluminum body panel of a freshly painted Babcock touring, working from the inside, but that's another story too.....

Ditto on the regulator. For portability, I use one of the little stand-up compressors that has a pressure adjustment right on the front of it. A stapler doesn't use much air, so it recovers quickly, and is easy to move around, instead of having a hose laying on the ground. Either way works......

[Friartuck]

The Pneumatic stapler I use is a RAINCO 7C-16 available from American Trim Supply in Oklahoma (American Trim & Upholstery Supply - foam cushions & upholstery supplies). Suggest getting both 3/8 and 1/2 inch long staples. Note the velcro strap that holds the trigger lock, the only issue I have with this stapler.

[wmsue]

I recently bought a Porter Cable Model US58T-2 to install my convertible top. It takes staples with a 3/8" crown, 22 gauge, and lengths from 1/4 - 5/8". I really liked the way it worked. Not a single jam and it fits my hands well. The only thing you have to remember is that it DOES NOT have a safety nose tip. Press the lever and out comes a staple.......ready or not. I think I paid $88 for the gun.

The electric ones will collect dust once you buy a good air stapler.


Good Luck