Knowing the right tool for the job is the most important first step in any DIY task. Staple guns are a common solution to a lot of household tasks, but what if you don’t have one in handy? What can you use instead of a staple gun?
For most tasks that would normally use a staple gun, glue or nails can typically be used instead. Rivets and glue or liquid sealant are great fasteners for leather, carpet, metal, or heavy cloth. Double-sided tape will also work for leather and cloth, sometimes even carpet if it is heavy-duty tape.
Staple guns are typically used in woodworking, upholstery, and furniture building. For the most part, either nails or glue can replace a staple gun. Read on to find out more.
Alternatives to a staple gun in woodworking
Woodworking is a place where staples are commonly used but don’t worry if you don’t have a staple gun. There are plenty of good alternatives.
Nails and screws are an alternative when working with wood. These are also good for working with some upholstery. Nails are often stronger than staples and can work well for furniture and moving items. For example, cupboard and drawer attachments or couch coverings. Most carpentry that would use a staple gun can be done with nails instead. It can take a bit longer and sometimes require more precision, but it works.
Glue is always a great option too. It will work with most types of wood and is versatile enough that you can get it into every joint. Wood glue is the best glue option because it is designed to be heavy-duty. We would definitely advise using a glue gun here. It’ll make the task a whole lot easier. You can use the glue for a lot of upholstery work because it will give you seamless finishes. Also, you can get different levels of glue which will make sure that you don’t damage any fabrics. This can be an alternative to using staples for picture frames.
You could also use upholstery tacks which were the original method for this task before staple guns. They can work better to keep the material tight and stretched because trying to glue it can sometimes not have as clean of a finish.
What is the best staple gun alternative for metal?
The best alternative to a staple gun for metal are rivets and liquid sealant. This is great for any kind of sheet metal. You can use a glue gun to apply the adhesive properly and drill in the rivets. These can be used, for example, to fasten metal gutters together.
In a lot of cases when it comes to metal, even if you do have a staple gun, you’re often better off using adhesive and rivets. After using quality cutting tools for metal to cut your sheets, you can use rivets to attach them to whatever you need. Rivets are much easier to remove, as they can be drilled out, and are almost always stronger than staples.
Another possible solution for metal is soldering. Staple guns can be used to organise wires and tuck them away. Without a staple gun, you could potentially solder small metal rings around the wires and hook them to a nail on the wall. You can solder larger metal projects too if you don’t have a staple gun. One thing to be aware of is how changes in temperature can cause the soldered joints to expand and contract. With time, this can really loosen them up. If you plan on soldering, make sure it is done properly and safely. Invest in the right PPE for the workplace to keep yourself safe.
How can I lay carpet without a staple gun?
There’s no doubt that staple guns are usually the best tool for the job when it comes to laying carpet. Most professional carpet layers will use one—but there are plenty of ways to do it without one.
For the most part, your best bet is probably going to be some kind of adhesive. It will, of course, depend on what you’re laying the carpet on. For concrete, an industrial carpet adhesive like Epoxy will work fine. You apply this before laying the carpet and use it to clean up the edges and corners afterwards.
Wooden boards will require a different approach. Tack strips are a common solution. They are nailed down with a hammer around the whole perimeter of the room. Set them about half an in inch away from the baseboard. This will give you plenty of space for slipping the carpet underneath. The tacks grip onto the carpet when it is placed over the top.
Another alternative to a staple gun for carpet is double-sided carpet tape. It has two adhesive sides designed specifically for connecting to the floor on one side and the carpet on the other. This is only recommended for carpet on flat surfaces because the adhesive can loosen over time and the carpet to move. On stairs, if this happens, it increases the risk of an accident.
Do I need a staple gun?
Staple guns are a great tool for anyone to have because you never know when it will come in handy. It can help you do DIY projects involving upholstery, fencing or other little projects around the home. There are three main types of staple guns, and the manual version is one of the best for anyone to own. These are on the cheaper end of staple guns and are easy to load. With this staple gun, you hold onto the stock and press down with force to release the staple. It works like a regular stapler but requires a lot more force. It can be stored easily because it isn’t very large.
Electric staple guns are most commonly used for wiring and are great for setting up the electricals inside a house. They produce more staples at a time than a manual staple gun and require less effort because their power comes from electricity. These are a good addition to your tool kit if you’re doing a lot of work with wiring.
If you’re working in upholstery or the construction industry, you should invest in a pneumatic staple gun. They are better for heavy-duty stapling and can make the task a lot easier. If you’re tackling heavy-duty projects often, you should invest in a staple gun like this.
While you’re investigating different useful tools, do you know about cutting bricks with a Dremel? Wondering how to remove a concrete driveway? We have a beginner’s guide for you! For the best quality cutting and grinding tools, check out our products at Paragon Tools Australia.
