Need a fine wire stapler - which one? 3 candidates

[Curt Harms]

I'm shopping for a new wide crown stapler. I'm not a heavy user so not really looking for an industrial model. So far I've found 3 options, the prices are close enough to not be a consideration.
Freeeman from Home Depot. Out of stock 'til the middle of the month.

http://www.homedepot.com/s/freeman%2520stapler?NCNI-5

303106

Surebonder 9600A from acehardware.com

303107

And the bargain option from Harbor Freight.

I'm not much of a fan of Harbor Freight tooks but this stapler and most of their pneumatic nailers/staplers get pretty good reviews it seems. Any preferences or avoid this stapler shaped object?

[Matt Day]

The HF guns work great. I have probably 1000 staples through my NCS without a misfire. The caveat is to not use HF staples, those jammed on me but after switching to brand name staples it's smooth sailing. Get a 20% off coupon too of course.

[Joe Kieve]

Same as Matt, I also have the HF stapler. Had to do some upholstering on some benches at church and didn't want to invest in a high-dollar gun; so went with the one from Harbor Freight, less than $20 with coupon. Works good, probably shot over a thousand staples with no jams.
For occasional use, it's fine.

[Peter Quinn]

I have the surebonder, bought it cheap from amazon, works well, much easier than the old hand squeeze variety and always levels the staples.

[Myk Rian]

I bought the set of 4 HDX guns at HoPo. They are the same as the better quality HF guns.
Check your stores as they were clearancing them out for $49/set. I applied for their Ccard and got them for $10. Nice guns.

[Randy Red Bemont]

I've heard a lot of good talk of the HF stapler.

Red

[Brian Henderson]

While I've never used their stapler, a lot of the HF nailers are surprisingly good, they don't misfire, they don't have problems, they just work again and again. Most of their air tools seem to be really reliable, which may be a surprise, but they get consistently good reviews and I've confirmed it myself.

[Carroll Courtney]

HF,25% coupon right now

[George Werner]

Yep, I'll pile on and say the HF air guns are great as long as you use brand name staples and nails. I've had mine for several years and they still work great great even though I've neglected oiling them quite a bit.

[Curt Harms]

Thanks everyone. It does sound like this is one of the "Harbor Freight gems". I did look at the Home Depot kits and to my surprise there seem to be some still available. That kit does not seem to include a wide crown fine wire stapler though, just a narrow crown stapler, 18 ga. brad nailer, 16 ga. finish nailer and 23 ga. pinner. It's a shame, that seems like a screaming deal.

[Rich Engelhardt]

As an FYI - the Freeman stuff is all Chinese. Probably the exact same thing as Harbor Freight.

[jack duren]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Duo-Fast-Model-TI-3118-A-Series-31-Upholstery-Stapler-/251775858388?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9f02b6d4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Duo-Fast-Model-AWC-5018-A-Carpet-And-Upholstery-Stapler-/251775858531?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9f02b763

[Curt Harms]

Well, I wound up with the H.F. $22.99 - 25% off coupon. What can I say? It drives staples :). There's no indication of how many staples are in the magazine unlike some others. There's no safety which may be a consideration for someone who has 'little helpers'. It'll sink 3/8" staples (longest ones I have right now) flush in Red Oak at 70 P.S.I. I tried turning the pressure down below 60 P.S.I. to see if I could set the staples a little proud of the wood so they wouldn't cut through fabric. Nope, it'd fire but no staple came out. I think the driver blade did not retract allowing a staple to move into firing position. I did try stapling a bit of 12 ga. steel wire and that seems to work fine. I find myself stapling hardware wire to 2 X 2 frames occasionally so this is a requirement.

[jack duren]

Hope it works for you. I bought an older senco yrs ago for around $30 and 30,000 staples for around $25 off ebay.

Never has a problem....

[Jim Becker]

Curt, that sounds like a good solution...should I find myself needing a similar wide-crown setup, I'll likely do the same.