Fasteners 101: The Complete Guide to Collated Staples

Staples are a versatile fastener found across a wide range of industries- from construction to furniture manufacturing. At Bissett, we offer over 30 types of collated staples, making it easier for professionals to get the right fastener for the job.

Let’s break down the most commonly used types of staples found on Canadian jobsites and how to choose the right one for your application.

Understanding Staples: What You Need to Know First

Before choosing a staple, it’s critical to understand how they’re measured:

• Crown Width: The top bridge of the staple (measured in inches)
• Leg Length: The vertical length of the staple legs
• Gauge: The thickness of the wire used (lower gauge = thicker staple)

Bissett staples are available in Electro-Galvanized and Stainless Steel coatings:

• Electro-Galvanized: For dry, indoor use
• Stainless Steel: For outdoor, moisture-prone, or cedar applications

Main Categories of Collated Staples

To make sense of the options, we’ve grouped staples into four core categories: Narrow Crown, Medium Crown, Wide Crown, and Tacker Staples.

Narrow Crown Staples (18 Gauge)

Ideal for finish work such as:

• Cabinets
• Trim
• Lattice
• Mouldings
• Door and window casings

L-Series Staples (Most Common)

• Crown: ¼” wide
• Lengths: ½” to 1½”
• Fits: All narrow crown staplers
• Packaging: Available in 1,000 or 5,000 packs
• Finish: Electro-Galvanized or Stainless Steel

SX-Series Staples (Tool-Specific)

• Crown: 7/32″ wide
• Lengths: ½” to 1½”
• Packaging: 5,000 pack
• Fit: Only compatible with Bostitch SX staplers
• Special Feature:
  • 1-1/8″ Divergent Point Staple: Flares on impact for superior grip

Browse our Finishing Staples for detailed specs.

Medium Crown Staples (14–18 Gauge)

Used in more demanding structural and industrial applications:

• Pallet building
• Subflooring
• Furniture frame assembly
• Siding

BCS Staples

• Gauge: 16
• Crown: ½”
• Lengths: 1″ to 2″
• Box Size: 10,000 staples
• Applications: Industrial fastening and heavy-duty panel work

N-Wire Staples

• Gauge: 16
• Crown: 7/16″
• Lengths: ⅝” to 2″
• Finish Options: Electro-Galvanized (10,000) and Stainless Steel (1,000 or 10,000)

Use the Fastener Finder to match these to your tool.

Wide Crown Staples (Typically 1″ Wide)

Designed for maximum holding power, wide crown staples are ideal when fasteners are hidden:

• Sheathing
• Lathing
• Packaging
• Crating
• Soft underlay

Note: The only tradeoff is visibility- these staples are not used where aesthetics matter.

Tacker Staples (Light-Duty)

Used in both professional and DIY settings. These are designed for manual or electric tackers, not pneumatic tools.

A11 / T50 Staples

• Crown: ⅜”
• Lengths: ¼”, 5/16″, ⅜”, ½”, 9/16″
• Use: Housewrap, upholstery, insulation, felt paper

STCR Staples

• Use: Upholstery, display boards, tagging
• Advantage: Stronger hold due to tighter design

Most tacker staple users only consider the material being fastened.
Pro Tip: Also consider the material being fastened into (e.g., MDF or Oak). For harder substrates, a shorter staple may prevent over-driving.

Tool Compatibility: Don’t Guess. Know!

Matching just the crown and length isn’t always enough. Tools vary in feed systems, magazine design, and firing mechanics.

Use our Fastener Finder to identify exact staple compatibility for your stapler.

Pro Safety Reminder

Always wear PPE when working with pneumatic or manual staplers. Flying staples, compressed air, and contact firing all require proper protective equipment.

If you still need help, contact us today!