What is a T50 staple?

The T50 is Arrow's standard flat-crown staple, available in lengths from 1/4 to 9/16 inch. It is the most common staple type for manual and electric staple guns and is used for general-purpose fastening, upholstery, and light construction.

Manual, electric, or pneumatic staple gun?

Manual is fine for small jobs and portability. Electric provides more power with less effort for medium jobs. Pneumatic is fastest and most powerful for construction and production work. Choose based on your volume and the material you are fastening.

Can I use a staple gun for upholstery?

Yes, and it is the primary use for many staple gun owners. Use a manual or electric staple gun with 3/8 or 1/2-inch T50 staples. Pull fabric taut, staple from center outward, and use a staple remover for corrections.

Specialty Tools

$15-$30 for manual, $30-$60 for electric corded, $60-$150 for electric cordless, $80-$200 for pneumatic narrow crown, $150-$400 for professional pneumatic.

The Complete Guide to Staple Guns (2026)

Reviewed by Lumberama's Tools & Equipment Team

|Last updated June 13, 2026

A staple gun drives U-shaped metal staples into wood, fabric, insulation, and other materials for fastening, tacking, and securing. From simple manual spring-loaded models to powerful pneumatic crown staplers, staple guns are essential for upholstery, insulation, house wrap, roofing underlayment, carpet padding, and countless construction and DIY tasks.

Key Takeaways

A staple gun drives U-shaped metal staples into wood, fabric, insulation, and other materials for fastening, tacking, and securing.
From simple manual spring-loaded models to powerful pneumatic crown staplers, staple guns are essential for upholstery, insulation, house wrap, roofing underlayment, carpet padding, and countless construction and DIY tasks.
Staple guns are used for attaching upholstery fabric, securing insulation and vapor barriers, tacking house wrap and building paper, installing carpet padding, attaching wire and cable (with specialty staples), securing canvas and screen material, craft and hobby projects, and fastening roofing felt and underlayment.
Staple type compatibility (T50, narrow crown, wide crown), staple length range, firing mechanism (spring, electric, pneumatic), ergonomic handle, quick-load magazine, adjustable power/depth, jam-clearing mechanism, and dual-function (staples and brads in some models).

What It's Used For

Staple guns are used for attaching upholstery fabric, securing insulation and vapor barriers, tacking house wrap and building paper, installing carpet padding, attaching wire and cable (with specialty staples), securing canvas and screen material, craft and hobby projects, and fastening roofing felt and underlayment.

Types & Variations

Manual/Spring-Loaded (hand-squeeze, most portable), Electric Corded (more power, less effort), Electric Cordless (battery-powered portability), Pneumatic Narrow Crown (air-powered, fastest), Pneumatic Wide Crown (for sheathing and subflooring), Hammer Tacker (swing-and-strike for rapid tacking), and Cable/Wire Stapler (round crown for wiring).

Key Features to Look For

Staple type compatibility (T50
narrow crown
wide crown)
staple length range
firing mechanism (spring
electric
pneumatic)
ergonomic handle
quick-load magazine
adjustable power/depth
jam-clearing mechanism
and dual-function (staples and brads in some models).

How to Use

1) Load the correct staples for your material and staple gun model. 2) For manual: squeeze the handle firmly while pressing the nose against the material. 3) For electric/pneumatic: press the nose tip against the material and pull the trigger. 4) Space staples evenly for consistent holding. 5) For upholstery, pull fabric taut before stapling. 6) For insulation, staple through the flanges at each stud. 7) Start from the center and work outward for fabric applications.

⚠️ Safety Tips

Never point a staple gun at anyone. Keep hands clear of the firing area. Staples can ricochet off hard materials. Wear safety glasses. Manual staple guns can fire unexpectedly if the handle is compressed accidentally. Disconnect power sources when loading staples or clearing jams. Pneumatic staplers are powerful — treat them with the same respect as a nailer.

Maintenance

Clean the magazine and feed mechanism regularly. Clear jams promptly. Lubricate the spring mechanism on manual models. Apply pneumatic tool oil to air-powered models. Inspect the strike plate for wear. Replace worn springs in manual models (or replace the tool). Store in a dry location to prevent rust.

Price Range & Recommendations

Price Range: $15-$30 for manual, $30-$60 for electric corded, $60-$150 for electric cordless, $80-$200 for pneumatic narrow crown, $150-$400 for professional pneumatic.

Beginners should start with the Arrow T50 manual staple gun ($20) — it is the industry standard for DIY and light-duty work. For less hand fatigue, upgrade to the Arrow T50ACD electric ($40). Pros will use the DeWalt DWFP12232 pneumatic narrow crown for construction stapling, or the Bostitch SB-2IN1 for a combination stapler/brad nailer.