Having the right kind of staple gun for stapling off stucco wire can make all the difference in the world and if you are on projects that get inspected by county officials, then these are mandatory, not optional.
There are a few different models you can choose from and I have listed 6 here that are some of the best in the industry. These will typically have a 1" crown or a 15/16" crown and are perfect for nailing off lath. Let's take a look at what's out there...
An Affordable Option:
I was able to find a more affordable stucco lath staple gun, which was a nice surprise because some of these can cost nearly $300 or more and for someone who doesn't want to spend that kind of money, there is finally another option.
It has a 1" crown, so keep that in mind when buying staples and can shoot up to 2" long staples, which is the maximum length for all the other staplers listed too.
Fair Price, High Quality Pick
1" Crown Stapler
The Metabo 1" Wide Crown Stapler is one of my favorites and it works fantastic for stapling off stucco wire. It is lightweight and has Metabo's famous quality, like virtually all of their tools.
This Metabo staple gun is one of the most reasonably priced models in the lineup when compared to other higher end options and has some of the best reviews on top of that. All in all, this is a great stapler that will give you years of service if you take care of it and is one of the most affordable (professional) lathing staplers out there.
15/16" Crown Stapler
This is another Metabo stapler (Metabo 15/16" Wide Crown Stapler) and is pretty much the same as the 1" crown stapler but uses 15/16" crown staples instead.
This is the model I am currently using and have been for about 5 years now.
This stapler offers a good balance between price and functionality and is why I think it should be at the top of the list.
Makita Quality, Higher Priced Option
The Makita AT2550A 1-inch Wide Crown Stapler is a stapler that I have looked at before and is a tool that is worthy for tackling stucco lath.
This Makita stapler has a couple of features that the other models don't have like a filter that is built in to the gun, which keeps it cleaner, longer and a hook on the base of the handle, where you can hook it when not in use.
These are small things but very useful and overlooked by other manufacturers.
Since it is a Makita tool, you can expect a 3-year warranty and a tough and effective tool, like all the Makita tools. This model came was higher in price, and over the $300 mark, which is pretty typical and lands in the "higher priced range" compared to the other guns.
I have used a lot of their tools and don't ever hesitate to buy any of them, they are always improving and making better and better tools.
A Senco Stapler (Quality and Performance):
The Senco PS15XP is yet another stapler that is regarded as one of "the legends" as far as stucco staplers are concerned and it has been a top choice for professionals, for many decades now.
The downside to this gun is that it can only shoot staples up to 1 1/2 inches long, so it would only be suitable for three coat stucco and would not work for one coat stucco, which uses 2" staples.
This is on the higher end of the pricing spectrum, coming in at over $300 but you are paying for the name, like the Makita stapler. The warranty is one of the strongest, when compared to the other staplers (5 years) and is designed to require less maintenance overall.
High Quality Choice, Hard to Find
The PasLode WCS200 Wide Crown Stapler is another great option and another "legend" in the stucco world. These are known for their longevity and quality.
These are getting harder to find though, so if you want one you will have to look around.
This Paslode stapler was a little higher than average, as far as pricing is concerned, coming in at around the three hundred dollar mark. One of the downsides to this stapler is the warranty, which is much less than other manufacturers but regardless, these are tough guns, don't be turned off by that!
A Bostitch, Most Expensive Option
The BOSTITCH 438S2-1 is another wide crown stapler (1" crown) and will work for stapling off lath wire, but only for three coat stucco applications, due to the 1 1/2" maximum staple length.
This was definitely the most expensive option but Bostitch is a name that many people trust and their tools are top notch.
Common Lathing Staple Guns Questions:
Two Different Crown Sizes:
Typically, the standard calls for either 15/16" crown staples or a 1-inch crown staple for stapling off stucco wire during the lathing process. It is important to note that the two staples, even though they are very close in size, are not interchangeable and will not work for a staple gun that is not made to shoot the specified crown size.
How Long Should My Staples Be?
There are a couple of different lengths of staples you could use depending on whether you are stapling off wire for a three coat stucco system or a one coat stucco system. I want to keep it simple and give you two different sizes so it will be much easier to remember.
Three Coat Stucco System: For a three coat stucco system, you will want to use 1.25" long staples or 1.5" long staples, whatever is easier to find. I typically try to avoid any staples that are longer than 1 1/2" because they tend to bend when shooting them into the wall, or you will have to use a hammer to pound them in flush because they will not shoot into the substrate all the way.
One Coat Stucco System: For a 1 coat stucco system, I would recommend using staples that are 2" long. Two inch staples are pretty easy to find and happen to be the perfect length to go through one-inch thick Styrofoam, shear (if used) and into a stud.
Helpful Tip: Staples can be found pretty easily at most specialty stores but finding them at a bigger box stores may be difficult, so I recommend buying them online. The prices are very similar or usually better than what I can get them for at a specialty supply store anyway, so the convenience makes it worth it.
What Is The Difference Between Staple Guns?
There are not really any major differences between different stucco staple guns besides price, warranty and specs. The price of the staplers in the list really does reflect how much you plan on using the tool, as the price and longevity typically go hand-in-hand.
All the lathing staple guns listed above should do the job just fine without any major problems, as long as you keep it lubricated and use staples that are compatible.
If you are particular to a certain brand or have had good experience with one manufacturer over another, then you may just prefer to use them. Other than that, there is absolutely no difference, in my opinion.
Can I Use Any Type Of Staples?
You can usually is just about any type of staple, as long as the crown is the correct size. I have used three or four different manufacturers on a number of different kinds and they all seem to work pretty well with minimal problems. There is a possibility that some staples will not fire through certain types of guns, even if the crown size is the correct size.
To avoid potential problems, I would recommend going with a staple made by the same manufacturer as your staple gun, if possible or see what others have had success with.