How Does a Pneumatic Staple Gun Work?
Pneumatic nail and staple guns have revolutionized the building trades by cutting the time it takes to drive fasteners to a fraction of what it was when a hammer was the only tool for the job. Staple guns are smaller than nail guns and can be used for lighter-duty household chores. They are also used in construction for attaching roofing and siding paper and small trim. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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According to an article published on Aug. 1, 2005 in the Herald Journal of Winsted, Minn., the idea for the pneumatic nailer originated in Winsted in the 1950s, as a result of a brainstorming session in a local bar. Three men, Marvin Hirsch, Reuben Miller and John Ollig, went home after the session and designed and built a compressed-air nail gun, which they then took to New York and presented to the Independent Nail Company. The three declined the company's offer to market the tool, though, instead setting up their own company with local lumberman James Westerholm. It was called Port-a-Matic Tools but, unfortunately, it quickly went bankrupt. The business and all patents were auctioned by the bank, and the patent for the nail gun was bought by Bostich, which is today a leading manufacturer of pneumatic nailers.
Benefits
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A pneumatic stapler automates the process of fastening wood to paper or to itself, making it much faster. Since it only needs to be held with one hand, it frees up the other hand for holding the work steady and, because it shoots staples directly into the material in one stroke, there is less chance of movement or misalignment. In addition, because you can insert a whole strip of staples into the gun at once, there is no need to clutter your tool belt with loose staples.
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Features
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A pneumatic stapler has the shape of a gun, complete with trigger and cartridge. The power comes from an air compressor, which you attach to the stapler via a hose that you connect to the handle. After putting staples into the cartridge, you simply press the head of the stapler to the work surface, and this depresses the guard and engages the trigger. When you pull the trigger, a blast of compressed air drives the staple. Because the air supply is constant, there is no need to reprime the gun to shoot the next staple, so many staples can be driven in quick succession.
Considerations
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A pneumatic stapler is not always the best tool for the job. Its size can be a factor when you have to work in small areas or close to obstructions. Moreover, the attached air hose can be a significant disadvantage when you are working on a ladder or in tight quarters. Besides the fact that its length can be a constraint, the hose can become tangled underfoot or rub on wet paint. One more thing to think about is the sheer force that the stapler delivers to the stapled surface. This can be a real disadvantage when you are working with thin, breakable wood.
Warning
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 37,000 people are admitted annually to emergency rooms with injuries related to nail gun use. Even though they are smaller and lighter, staple guns are just as dangerous and should be treated with respect. Never manually depress the guard on the front of the nailer, or tie it up so that the gun will fire automatically. This is like having a loaded, cocked gun in your hand. Read and follow all safety precautions for using a pneumatic stapler and make sure your hands and feet are completely out of the way of the gun before you pull the trigger. Following these guidelines will ensure that the tool will help you do your job faster and more easily.
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References
- Photo Credit construction worker, carpenter image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
