Hi all. I haven't posted in a while, but I feel I have to recommend an awesome stapler that my wife brought home from work last night. It's called the one-touch executive stapler from Staples. It goes through a flip with ease, and takes a lot less pressure than a regular one. Today's the first day I've been using it though, so we'll see how it holds up. So far I love it. I hope it doesn't break after a week!
Fyi I use a Swingline pliers-style stapler. I feel that it gives me good control of how & where I place the staple. After using the pliers stapler, I use a small needle-nose pliers to flatten the staples.
I strongly suggest that a cinch stapler be used and then a set of electrician pliers to crimp the staple deep into the cardboard - nothing worse than a staple that scratches a coin. THis type of cinch stapler is very ergonomic for me. Its about 5 inches long and fits nicely in an adult hand. Then use these to press the staple below the surface of the flip
I can't remember where I bought it (one of the coin supply houses, Wizard?), but there's a stapler that bends staples flat automatically. It's quite slick.
Dern! I thought I was the only one with a staple like that. I bought mine in the 1960's and staples are getting hard to find, but it is still the best stapler I have ever used. BTW, channel locks are better to flatten the staple because they do both sides at once and they do not crush the 2X2 getting to the staple.
I use exactly that but mine have yellow plastic insulation. I've yet to find a cinch stapler that produces "flat" staples. It would be nice if someone invented one since crimping them flat gets tiring.
Here's the ones I was referring to earlier in this thread (and the one I suspect Tenacious is referring to as well): http://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/_search.php?page=1&q=stapler Here's the description: Absolutely the best manual stapler available for stapling coin flips (and just about anything else). We bought one of these to try it on 2x2 flips We were so impressed that we bought several more for each desk at the office and at home. The staples are clinched flat on the back reducing the risk of staple scratches on coins and avoiding the need for clinching the staples with pliers. Stapled paper (as well as flips) stacks flater with the staples clinched. The twin-lever mechanism cuts stapling effort by 30% and reduces hand pain from repetive stapling. Easy-grip top, nonskid rubber base. It uses a full clip of regular staples. We have used these staplers for a couple of years now and have never had a jamb so consider them near-jamb proof as well. Staples up to 30 sheets (based on 20-lb. bond). Metal/high-impact plastic construction. Throat depth 3". Available in either attractive black or gray finish. One step flat staples. Let your 2x2's lie flat, people!
My flat clinch has been a lifesaver. Well, maybe not a lifesaver, but it has saved me from getting those blisters I used to get from the pliers.
Yes the Staples brand FLAT stapler works great! $6. My old boss uses an electric powered flat stapler he paid about $150, but he owns a coin shop and staples hundreds of 2x2s a day.
I'll check them out at my Staples store. I'm sick and tired of having to pull out a half crimped staple. And having to really pound on my swingline in order to prevent half crimps. Maybe it's the swingline staples I'm using. I've had to pad my flat nosed pliers with Duct tape so that my hand doesn't get hurt. Ihad to prop them up to show the flat nosed which does have small teethe. A Duck billed pliers has no teethe,
