How to Load a Crown Stapler: Manual and Pneumatic Steps

Start with safety and the right staples

Most injuries with staplers happen during loading and clearing jams, not during normal use. Before you open the magazine, take the tool out of service. On a pneumatic stapler, disconnect the air hose first. On a manual gun, keep your fingers away from the nose and the handle.

Never point the tool at yourself or anyone else, and keep your free hand behind the work. Wear safety glasses every time you fire a stapler, because staples can bounce or break. A pneumatic tool and its compressor can be loud, so use hearing protection when you work with them.

• Disconnect the air hose or let go of the handle before opening the magazine.
• Keep your fingers off the trigger and clear of the nose.
• Wear eye protection, and add hearing protection for air tools.
• Use only the staple type listed for your model.

Match the staple to the tool

A crown stapler only works well with the staple it was built for. Crown width is the bridge across the top of the staple, and the magazine is sized to hold that width. A wrong fit can jam, misfire or leave staples sticking up.

Our best crown stapler page lists the staple types for each model, so check that line first. For example, the Metabo HPT N5008AC2 drives 16-ga 7/16 in standard crown staples from 1 to 2 in. The Arrow HT50 takes Arrow T50 staples from 5/16 in to 1/2 in. The WORKPRO 6-in-1 accepts T50, JT21, T20, T25, 18-gauge brad nails and pin nails, so you still need to pick the right one for the job.

Also check the leg length. If the staple is longer than the tool allows, it will not seat in the magazine. If you are working from a brand name such as Milwaukee, Ridgid, Ryobi or Banks, look up the exact staple type in that tool's manual or on its label, because loading steps and fasteners differ by model.

Know your magazine style

Crown staplers load in a few different ways. Finding your style first saves time, and it tells you which steps below apply. The table shows the designs from our product data.

Look for a release latch, a slide button or a pull-out tray near the base, back or top of the tool. If you cannot find it, check the manual rather than forcing parts open.

How to load a manual crown stapler

Manual guns are the simplest to load. The steps below fit bottom-load designs, which are common on upholstery and multi-type staple guns.

If your tool has a handle lock, such as the retractable lock on the WORKPRO, make sure it is unlocked before you open the magazine. Also remove any old staples before locking it away.

• Point the nose away from you and keep your fingers clear.
• Release the magazine latch or slide the release button, then pull the magazine out or open the tray.
• Check that the channel is clear of bent staples or debris.
• Place a strip of the correct staples in the channel with the legs pointing toward the nose.
• Close the magazine until it clicks or locks into place.
• Fire one staple into scrap material to confirm it feeds and sits right.

How to load a pneumatic crown stapler

Air-powered staplers, like the Metabo HPT standard crown models, use a straight magazine. The Metabo HPT N5008AC2 has a top-loading open magazine that holds 157 staples. Disconnect the air hose before you start, and keep the tool pointed away from your body.

Pull the follower back along the rail until it locks. Then lay the strip of staples over the magazine rail with the legs facing down. The staples should slide freely back and forth. Release the follower so it pushes against the end of the strip. Reconnect the air only when the magazine is loaded and your hands are clear of the nose.

Before working on the real surface, fire a test staple into scrap wood. If the staple sits too high or too deep, adjust the depth setting. Depth control matters, since the tool is meant to drive staples flush into different materials.

Fix common loading problems

Most feed trouble comes from a few simple causes. Run through this list before you assume the tool is faulty.

If a staple jams, disconnect the air or release the handle, then open the nose or use the jam-clear feature if your model has one. Some listings mention a quick clear nose or a jam-clearing system. Remove the bent staple with pliers, never with your fingers pointed at the nose.

If a pneumatic tool runs sluggishly or misses, check the air supply and the oil, and follow the maker's instructions for lubrication. If a manual gun fires weakly, raise the power setting where the tool has one, since hard materials need more force than fabric. Light settings suit upholstery, and higher ones suit framing or sheathing.

• Wrong staple size or type: swap to the one listed for your tool.
• Bent or glued strips: discard the damaged section.
• Magazine not fully closed: reseat it until it latches.
• Depth set too deep or too shallow: adjust and test on scrap.
• Debris in the channel: clear it with the power off.

Finish up and store the tool

When you finish, disconnect the air and remove leftover staples if the maker advises it. Storing a tool with a loaded magazine is a safety risk, especially around children. A handle lock on a manual gun should only be engaged with the magazine empty.

If you are still choosing a tool, read our crown stapler comparison to see which models suit your work. Staple capacity, weight and magazine style all change how often you reload, and how easy the job feels.

Frequently asked questions

Which way do the staples face when I load them?

The legs point toward the nose of the tool, so the staples can be driven out the front. Look for a diagram near the magazine, or check the manual if your model has none.

Can I mix staple sizes in one magazine?

No. Mixing sizes causes jams and misfires. Load one strip of the right size and type at a time.

Why does my stapler keep jamming after I load it?

The most common causes are the wrong staple type, a bent strip, or a magazine that is not fully closed. Power set too low for hard material can also leave staples stuck in the nose.

Do cordless crown staplers load the same way?

The staple loading is similar, but also remove the battery before you open the magazine. This prevents an accidental shot while your hands are near the nose.