What Is a Crown Stapler? Is Crown Stapler Same as Brad Nailer?

Published on: June 16, 2022
Written by David Rowan / Fact-checked by Eric Devin

In the carpentry industry, the work is both labor and tools-driven. As there is a blueprint to study ahead of conducting home renovation, there are tools specific to each finishing job.

It can be confusing when two tools have a similar appearance, but one may be more befitting of a task than another. For example, you can use both crown staplers and brad nailers to fasten or attach one thing to another.

What is a crown stapler, you ask? It is a staple gun that helps engineer stapling of folded sheets of iron and cardboard, of course, wood, plastic, and many other materials.

Now, if you are wondering if we can use a crown stapler and brad nailer interchangeably, the answer is it depends on the kind of security the project at hand needs, how long you need the fastening to hold out, and as such. Read on to find out what these differences are.  

Crown Stapler and Its Functionalities

As you can notice from the name, crown staplers are a kind of stapler that woodworkers use to attach materials to one another. We can categorize it as a stapling gun that recruits staples for fastening purposes, as opposed to nailing guns.

But why is it called a ‘’crown’’ stapler? Well, the usual construction of staplers is such that there are two legs – one of them holding the pins – adjoined by a bridge. In crown staplers, the adjoining bridge standing at the top part of the machine crowns out of the structure and penetrates materials that you need to affix. That’s how the stapling gun got its name. Read more: The Best Nailer for Crown Molding You Should Consider

The chiseled edges of the two legs help with penetration. 

What Is a Crown Stapler Used for?

We have already established that a crown stapler is a woodworking tool. But there is so much diversity in that. Some of the various usages of crown staplers are as follows:

• You can use it for different construction and home improvement projects such as cabinetry, setting up of trims, etc. mostly call for the use of a crown stapler. 
• We observe the use of crown staplers in upholstery work and the building of furniture.
• You can use crown staplers for bent lamination. Bent-lamination is when you take a wooden board and separate it into several thin and flexible slices and then stack one strip of wood over another with the help of glue. Using crown staplers here can help secure the wood better. This laminated wood is then curved according to aesthetic taste and requirements to use as hands and feet rest on chairs. 
• Secure the miter joints of picture frames from the back so that both the glass and the picture remain in place. The penetration by the stapler is of just enough depth to create a firm grip without having to settle on the appearance.

How Many Types of Crown Staplers Are There?

Depending on the width of the crown, there are three categories of crown staplers available to us. Staplers built per a specific crown width will operate with their particular staple type. The width of the crown will dictate the type of work in which you will use the stapler. So whatever your necessity may be, you will have to pick from one of these:

Narrow Crown Stapler

A narrow crown stapler can execute staples with a smaller gauge (18 G) wire diameter. The width of the crown here is one-fourth of an inch, which makes it suitable for trimming and upholstery jobs. With trimming jobs, if you have a narrow crown stapler, no adhesive will be necessary. Though they are quite thin, which is why you should avoid employing them in bit heavier-duty applications. 

Even with a milder gauge, crown staplers characteristically leave a visible hole and hence you will need to use a filler to make the appearance of it better. 

This type of crown stapler will make good use in light framing jobs as well.

Medium Crown Stapler 

This variety of staplers comes with a wire gauge of 16G and a crown width of half an inch. It has a higher fastening capacity or holding power compared to the narrow crown ones. Because of the wider crown area, it leaves an even larger hole affecting the exterior appearance of the material you will be working on. 

A medium crown stapler is appropriate for setting up a blind floor or subfloor. Other construction and carpentry jobs that these staplers prove to be useful in include plywood sheathing and also siding of the house. 

Wide Crown Stapler

Save wide crown staplers for the sturdiest woodworking project you have in hand, as they are more of a heavy-duty variety compared to the other two types we mentioned above. There’s no better option for fastening in construction work such as roofing or forming a truss. In these applications, the point of penetration remains tucked away, so you don’t have to worry about the holes hampering the appearance of the establishment.

What Is Crown Size On Staples?

In typical trim and molding projects where appearance is an issue and the staple on the wood shouldn’t be visible, the measurement of the crown used should be 3/16’’. This, in actuality, is the starting point and the measurement can land anywhere between 3/16’’ to 1’’. Pick a crown measuring 1’’ in projects where a stronger hold will be more crucial than the question of how things look.

Brad Nailer and Its Functionalities

Brad nailer is a nail gun. So instead of shooting staples to fasten things together, this machine puts nails, namely ‘’brad’’, up to the service. 

‘’Brad’’ nails are versatile in their performance as they are available in a diverse number of lengths and diameter gauges. The way this nail gun function is – compressed air on the inside helps drive the straight nails out of the gun and into materials, predominantly wood. 

How strongly the ‘’brad’’ nails will hold the attached materials together will depend on their gauge. With a wider gauge, the grip will be stronger and longer-lasting. Though 18 gauge nails are normally considered suitable. After penetrating through the two pieces or strips of wood needed to be fastened ‌, it will leave a hole pretty negligible, not interfering with the look of the entire setting, unlike crown staplers.

Brad nailers are permanent fasteners in that you cannot detach brads from the fastened wood whenever you want. It will be a hasty process and totally not worth it. So don’t use brad nailers in case of a temporary solution that may need to come undone later on.

Crown Stapler vs Brad Nailer

As we have already established, crown staplers and brad nailers are fastening tools. The application of said fastening will decide which of the two tools you should pick up from your toolbox. The answer to other questions such as – what type of material are you working on, what are the requirements of fastening this material or wood, and how you want everything to look – will come together in helping you pick a winner between a crown stapler and a brad nailer.

We have arranged a crown stapler vs brad nailer discourse down below by pointing out the similarities and differences between them. 

Check it out to know if it serves your case.

Similarities

1. The construction of the two tools is dynamic. Both tools are known to mightily drive either a nail or a staple deep into the wood.
2. Generally, both tools make use of compressed air to drive their respective fasteners into the wood. 
3. Both ‌tools will prove ‌useful in projects where you will need to attach fabrics to furniture. 

            Whereas, brad nailers will offer a bit more resourcefulness in other implementations.

4. Both can be useful as a permanent solution.

Differences

Appearance

A true downside of a crown stapler is that the staples it shoots can leave visible holes on the surface of the wood. This won’t happen with brad’s nails.

Versatility

Crown staplers have specialized usability whereas brad nailers have multifaceted usability. Although, it is smart to employ a brad nailer in non-heavy-duty finishing projects such as trim work, fascia building, etc. since the use of this tool does not leave any large holes or any such damage.

Penetration

Crown staples cannot penetrate as deep into the wood as brads can. Brad nailers will penetrate from two and a half to three inches, whereas crown staplers can go as far as an inch.

Holding Power

Brad nailers are more efficient in projects where you will require sturdier holding power while dealing with materials that are thicker in width.

Gauge

With brad nailers, you will find yourself restricted to 15-16 gauge wire diameter. But crown staples range from 15 to 22 gauge.

Benefits of Using a Crown Stapler

1. Increased productivity

Crown staplers can be used to quickly and efficiently attach large stacks of paper, making them ideal for high-volume tasks such as bookbinding, packaging, and upholstery.

2. Strong and secure fastening

Crown staplers use a specially designed type of staple that provides a strong and secure fastening.

3. Durability

Crown staplers are made of high-quality materials, so they can withstand the repeated use that comes with high-volume tasks.

4. Versatility

Crown staplers are compatible with a wide range of sizes and types of staples, so they can be used for a variety of applications.

5. Cost-effectiveness

Crown staplers are relatively inexpensive and cost-effective, so they can be cost-efficient for businesses that require high-volume fastening.

FAQs

What Type of Stapler is a Crown Stapler?

A Crown Stapler is a type of stapler that is specifically designed to staple paper or other light materials. It is a type of heavy-duty stapler that is powered by an electric motor and has a removable crown-shaped head for easy loading of staples.

Can a Brad Nailer Use Crown Staples?

We live in a day and age where there is a solution to every problem, tools specifically made for a variety of applications. Sometimes, to save money and other resources, we think of using one tool in place of another. So can we load crown staples inside a brad nailer and use it for stapling applications?

The answer is no. 

The devising of the brad nailer will not allow you to comfortably shoot staples with it. It is designed to shoot nails. But if you somehow create a brad nailer- staple gun- combo, you will need to load this kind of device with both staples and brads, as a combo will require a bit of both.

However, we don’t assume you can carry out typical projects handled by brad nailers such as trimming with this combination tool. That may leave larger damage on the wood.

Can a Crown Stapler be Used for Installing Crown Molding?

Yes, a crown stapler can be used for installing crown molding. It’s a convenient tool that can help you secure the molding in place quickly and easily. When using a crown stapler, be sure to follow specific cutting crown molding tips to ensure a precise and professional finish.

Can a Crown Stapler Use Nails?

The usage of nails with a crown stapler will not suit its design.

What Is a Crown Stapler Good for?

Crown staplers are perfect for upholstery work. They attach the fabric placed on top of the chair to the wood placed at the bottom of the chair. Hence, the stapling does not catch anybody’s eye. Such fastening allows the fabric to stretch just enough for comfort in sitting.

What’s the Difference Between a Crown Stapler and a Regular Stapler?

We use a regular stapler to attach paper or paper-like materials to one another. However, we typically observe the use of crown staplers in woodworking and upholstery.

Finishing Thoughts

Crown stapler and brad nailer have some similar and some averting qualities. Though the basket of differences weighs heavier. 

We hope the rundown that we provided has helped you understand if you can or should be using one in place of another or which woodworking project will call for the use of which tool.

Relevant Resources:

• 7 Best Air Compressors for Roofing Nailer
• Broad Distinction Between Brad Nailer VS Finish Nailer VS Framing Nailer