How to Open a Heavy Duty Stapler Safely

Start with safety

A heavy duty stapler stores a lot of spring force, and the staple channel is sharp. Most injuries happen when someone opens the stapler with a finger over the front, or pries at a stuck part with a tool.

Take a moment before you open it. It makes the job calmer and keeps the spring from surprising you.

• Set the stapler on a flat, stable surface instead of holding it in the air.
• Keep fingers, thumbs and palms away from the front where staples exit.
• Point the front away from your face and anyone nearby.
• Never press the handle while the magazine is open or half out.
• Wear safety glasses if you are clearing a badly jammed stack, since a bent staple can spring loose.

The usual way to open a heavy duty stapler

Many heavy duty desktop models use a rear slide. The staple magazine sits inside the body and a spring pushes the staples forward. A release at the back lets the whole slide come out so you can load a fresh strip.

Here is the common sequence. Your model may differ in small ways, so treat this as a starting point.

• Place the stapler on a flat surface with the base down.
• Look at the back of the stapler for a release latch, button or tab.
• Push in and up on the back of the stapler until the slide mechanism pops out.
• Slide the magazine back gently until it stops. Do not force it past the stop.
• Check the channel for old staples, bent pieces or paper scraps.
• Drop in a full strip with the legs pointing down, then push the slide forward until it clicks.

Other designs you may run into

Not every heavy duty stapler opens from the back. Some have a top-load cover, a one-touch reload button or a head that swings open. The table below uses models from our comparison data to show how different these can be.

How to clear a jam without hurting yourself

A jam usually means a bent staple is stuck at the exit, the staples do not match the stapler or the stack is thicker than the stapler can handle. Stop pressing the handle once you feel the stapler resist.

If your model has front jam clearing, use that first. It is built to release a stuck staple without taking the whole stapler apart. Our heavy duty stapler comparison flags which models list this feature, which is useful if jams are a regular annoyance.

If there is no front release, open the magazine as described above. Lift out the loose strip and look for a bent staple in the channel. Remove it with needle-nose pliers, not your fingers. Keep your other hand clear of the exit while you work.

Reload with the right staples

Opening the stapler is only half the job. Loading the wrong staples is a common cause of jams, and some heavy duty models are picky. For example, the Amazon Basics E0485 listing notes that it must be used with heavy duty staples or it will not work properly. It lists 15/16 in staples for 160 to 210 sheets.

Staple length also matters. Swingline lists its S7039005A as working with heavy duty staples from 1/4 in to 3/4 in leg length, and says to choose the length based on how many sheets you fasten. Shorter staples suit thinner stacks, and longer ones suit thicker stacks.

Other models use their own staple families. The Bostitch plier stapler listing calls for B8 PowerCrown staples, and the AFMAT ES15 lists several 23-series sizes. Always match the staple name printed on the box to what your stapler lists.

Load a full strip, legs down, and seat it fully before closing. A strip that sits crooked is one of the easiest ways to cause a misfire.

Swingline, Rexel and other brands

People often search for how to open a Swingline or a Rexel heavy duty stapler. The basic idea is the same across most desktop models: find the release, free the slide, load staples, close it until it clicks. The exact release location is what changes from brand to brand.

If you cannot find the latch, do not pry the body apart. Look for an arrow, a symbol or a small raised tab on the back or underside. If none is visible, search for the model number printed on the base and check the maker's instructions.

A stapler that is hard to open is worth a second look. Dirt, a bent staple or the wrong staple size often keeps the slide from releasing. Clean the area and try again gently before assuming the stapler is broken.

When it may be time for a different stapler

If opening, loading and clearing jams takes more effort than the stapling itself, the stapler may not suit your workload. A model with a simple release and front jam clearing saves a lot of fuss for busy desks.

It also helps to match capacity to the job. Our comparison data shows models from 45 sheets to 220 sheets, and using one near its limit makes jams more likely. You can see how they line up on our best heavy duty stapler page, then pick the one that suits your thickest regular stack with some room to spare.

Frequently asked questions

Why will my heavy duty stapler not open?

The slide may be stuck on a bent staple or paper debris, or you may be pressing the wrong part of the release. Make sure the stapler is on a flat surface, push in and up on the back, and check for a jammed staple at the front.

Do I need tools to open a heavy duty stapler?

No tools are needed for normal reloading. Needle-nose pliers help only when you have to pull out a bent staple, and you should keep your fingers away from the exit while you do.

Can I use any staples after I open it?

No. Use the staple type and length your stapler lists. Some models, like the Amazon Basics E0485, are noted to work properly only with heavy duty staples.

Is it safe to open the stapler when it is loaded?

Yes, if you keep your fingers clear of the front and do not press the handle. Open it on a flat surface and slide the magazine out slowly.

How do I stop jams after I reload?

Seat the staple strip fully, use the correct staple size and stay within the sheet capacity listed for your model. Using a stapler at its limit raises the chance of a jam.