How To Load Top vs. Bottom Loading Staple Guns

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For projects in upholstery, woodworking and more - if you're using a staple gun - loading the magazine with staples is the first step, before real work can begin. Depending on the manufacturer and model of your tool, it may require loading staples into the magazine from the top, or the bottom. As always, consult your owner's manual first, for exact step-by-step instruction. However, for most air-powered and electric staple guns, the following tips demonstrate how to load both top and bottom feed staplers.

One of the easiest ways to identify top, versus bottom loading staple guns, is by determining the type of staple gun.

Bottom loading magazines can be found on the majority of cordless staple guns, as well as most fine wire and upholstery staplers. On the other hand, top loading staple gun magazines have been in use much longer than bottom load, and are still predominantly found on large-body, medium and heavy wire pneumatic staplers.

**Pro Tip: If you don’t know whether your staple gun is top or bottom loading, look at the staple exit point on the tool. Then, find the release button. The magazine feed release is usually located on the opposite side of where the staples are fired.

There’s also a general pattern between staple gauge (thickness), and magazine loading type. In terms of light wire staples, 20 gauge, 22 gauge and other similar thicknesses are typically used with bottom load staple feeds, whereas 16 gauge, 18 gauge and larger wire staples are mostly used with top loading systems.

When it comes to loading staples, top loading is generally the slower of the two processes. Bottom loading is faster and more convenient in most instances, except when the tool is being used with a mount, such as when used in high-volume production work. During loading, bottom feed systems require the stapler to be turned upside down, which prevents the staples from falling out.

The differences between top loading and bottom loading staple guns are minimal, but important for problem-free operation. Check out the following step by step images demonstrating how to load both top - and bottom - feed staple gun magazines.

TOP LOAD: STEP BY STEP DEMONSTRATION

Hitachi Top Load Stapler