Gardner Bender "Cable Boss" Stapler.

[Kode VioL8R]

Has anyone else seen or tried the Gardner Bender "Cable Boss Professional Grade" staple gun? It takes 3 different special staple sizes which will enable you secure everything including phone, speaker, coax, and up to 10/2 Romex. It's around $35. If anyone else has seen this and thought of getting it, save your money. I tried this out last week and what a piece of junk! First off, it's made of mostly plastic. A $35 staple gun that's "pro grade" should not be plastic. Secondly, it hardly has enough power to push out the staple, much less make the staple secure the romex to the framing member. I actually had to end up using a hammer on the staples anyway! I promptly returned it the same day. While I'm sure G.B. is NOT the #1 brand of electricians since it's so widely available to the general public, I have to say I've had several GB hand tools that have been pretty decent and held up well. I was very surprised that such a piece of junk staple gun had the GB name on it. Just wondering if anyone else actually tried this thing?

[Bismarck Jack]

Nope, cant say I have tried this one. Funny story though. I have had plenty a piece of %#*@$ tools in my day. No matter how much i think i save by buying the cheapo, I always fall back on the goodies. Makita, Dewalt, Bostitch, Milwalkee (not sure if they are all spelled right, but all good and never gave me trouble). We all learn lessons from our own experiences.

[redbandit]

yep, have the same one. POS. Got it for Christmas since IVe been re-doing alot of house wiring. Its the weakest thing ive even used. Plus it doesnt hold very many staples. Glad I didnt pay for it, anyone have a good suggestion for one, besides a hammer?

[EDWIN BRADLEY]

I agree, this stapler is a waste of money. Don't buy it. I got mine at Lowes.

[old_bill]

I just got a Powerfast strap gun from my H-D store for a kitchen remodel/ rewire job I have coming up. Seemed like a neat way to staple down Romex. But I have not used it yet. Has anyone tried this one yet, and has anyone encountered any problem with Inspectors considering stapling with a gun not an approved method of securing NM cable, as opposed to hammering in staples with a hammer. Supposed to be good for 14-2, 14-3, 12-2 and 12-3.

Thanks for any advice and I wish I would have checked here first.

[househelper]

I have used the Powerfast. Works OK in new wood, lousy in older, harder wood. About the only time I use it now is in areas where I can not get both hands in to hold a staple and swing a hammer. Staples are expensive.

[WHT]

I bought the Gardner Bender tool back in 2007, but never bothered to use it until a few months (summer 2009) ago AFTER buying five more boxes of the 5/16" and 3/8" staples.

The staples won't penetrate old indoor side door molding, and only goes in half way into new soft pine.

Yup...a POS.

[Fischer]

This is the one to use for cable.

[WHT]

I already use the T20 for ground wire and T25 for CAT5 cable, but its all too easy to staple through the cable when doing it overhead, behind office furniture, etc. I can do it pretty well, but I don't trust my installers all that much.

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***** UPDATE ******
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Pays to RFTM ! ! !

http://www.gardnerbender.com/pdf/products/Staples.pdf

Shows a "Reversible cable guide for easy stapling changeover". Its the metal piece at the business end of the stapler. Grasp it with your forefinger and thumb to pull it out, and reverse it.

The staples will firmly go in all the way and they are very hard to pull out.