Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - describe this stapler

Here's a picture of a stapler I acquired, but have no information about. It doesn't seem to have any indication anywhere on it who the manufacturer is. On the bottom it says 3 way and shows imprints of three different styles of staples with different ranges of staple mm size indicated also. Can anybody tell me about this unusual stapler and whats with the knob on the top too.


http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb153/sgull1/IMG_1233.jpg

It looks to be an Arrow, or at least take arrow staples. The knob on top most likely is to add a little punch and sink the longer staples better. It may be an impact head, but I doubt it.

It looks to be an Arrow, or at least take arrow staples. The knob on top most likely is to add a little punch and sink the longer staples better. It may be an impact head, but I doubt it.

I tried staples that fit/work in an Arrow T-50 stapler, and those don't fit, so I'm assuming but not sure whether any kind of Arrow staples will work in it. I tried Bostich brand staples, and they do fit/work in the stapler. Maybe that means it's a Bostich stapler, I guess, but still not sure. The knob turns (screws in and out) and seems to increase/decrease the force with which you have to squeeze the trigger to staple stuff.

Do Bostich staples ever fit in Arrow staplers and vice-versa, or are they manufactured different so they won't fit each other?

The only stapler I have ever seen with that tension knob was a Duo-Fast. But I guess if Bostich staples fit, that's all you needed to know!

Bostitch only fits Bostitch and nothing else will fit. Try finding Bostitch slap staples in 3/8" length (STCR 5019, I've memorized the number). Can't do it. :madhell:
Makes sense on the knob, though.

Bostitch only fits Bostitch and nothing else will fit. Makes sense on the knob, though.

Okay then if the Bostich staples only fit Bostich staplers, it must be a Bostich brand. The "crown width" of the Bostich staples is 7/16", as compared to the majority if not all Duo-Fast staples which apparently have a crown width of 1/2" (I researched a little).

So I guess it could be a Bostich stapler with a tension knob.

Thanks for all input here.:thumbup:

What you may have if it has no ID is an import staple gun made to take a name brand staple.Usually it is T-50 but not always.

Arrow actually does make staples for other brands but Arrow staples for Arrow guns won't fit other brands unless,and this is actually fairly common,the other branded gun was designed to take Arrow staples and again it's usually T-50 or if it's a smaller gun JT-21.

STCR staples are made by Staple Center which is another manufacturer of many brands staples.

Another common brand's staples used by Import guns is Swingline especially the 101 line.

The gun does resemble a Duo Fast but if it is a Duofast it would only take Duofast staples.

What you may have if it has no ID is an import staple gun made to take a name brand staple.

Yes, with no ID indicated on it like this, it's most certainly an import gun as you say. So far it does seem to work with the Bostich staples but not Arrow T-50.

I'll have to experiment as I can, going with no other info, with various staple brands, maybe I'll try Swingline 101 as you mention.

thanks

I may have found it. If not, it is it's twin. Go to the harbor freight web site, then search "stapler" and go to the third page. Three way stapler - describes the staples it takes. Very reasonable if it works - about $ 7.00.

That gun takes T-50 staples,very common import,and the gun in question apparently doesn't.That said probably very similar guns just designed to take different staples.

I will say this...if you assume the gun in question is a low cost import...and it has been designed to take harder to find staples...it might be well worth a few bucks to toss it and get one that takes the single most common staple of them all the T-50 series.

I had not seen an import gun that was not designed for T-50s before this one although I did know they existed but everywhere I have worked they always took T-50s.

The gun in question will accept staples with a 7/16" crown, and from what I understand T-50 staples are 3/8" crown. The gun in question does not accept 3/8" crown staples.