tool to staple down aluminum heat spreaders?

Daox · 12-28-13, 05:26 PM

I'm to the point where I am putting down the aluminum heat spreaders in my office hydronic floor. However, I just tried stapling them with my hammer stapler and it really isn't cutting it. I tried swinging it, and hitting it with a hammer, both give less than stellar results. I'm guessing the next step is going to a pneumatic stapler? I highly doubt my electric stapler will punch through the .02" aluminum. Any other ideas?

Looks like Gary from builditsolar uses a pneumatic stapler: $2000 Solar Space + Water Heating System: Staple Up Radiant Floor Heat

Here is what I've gotten so far.

greif · 12-28-13, 10:42 PM

I used pneumatic stapler

Daox · 12-30-13, 07:59 AM

Thanks, that is what I was thinking. I'll be borrowing one from my brother in law to finish those up!

opiesche · 01-02-14, 03:52 PM

I used a couple of screw guns and drywall screws (6-8 per plate depending on length) for my installation. It's not quite as quick as stapling, but still fast and easy to do - screwing the plates down took about 10-15 minutes per room with two people. Also, after removing the carpet and padding, I never wanted to hear the word Staple again.

Daox · 02-10-14, 09:14 AM

Just to follow up on this. I ended up borrowing a pneumatic stapler to do the work. I haven't used it yet, but nothing else I tried worked. I tried a spring loaded stapler, it wouldn't go in far enough. I didn't try my electric stapler and I did not try using screws.

Daox · 03-18-14, 09:57 AM

I just wanted to wrap up this thread. I ended up using the pneumatic stapler and it worked like a dream. I had to adjust the pressure down to ~40 psi to not shoot the staple clean through the aluminum and still have it go in all the way. This took a bit of trial and error, but it wasn't bad. After I got it set, it worked so nice.

12-28-13, 05:26 PM	#1
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	tool to staple down aluminum heat spreaders? I'm to the point where I am putting down the aluminum heat spreaders in my office hydronic floor. However, I just tried stapling them with my hammer stapler and it really isn't cutting it. I tried swinging it, and hitting it with a hammer, both give less than stellar results. I'm guessing the next step is going to a pneumatic stapler? I highly doubt my electric stapler will punch through the .02" aluminum. Any other ideas? Looks like Gary from builditsolar uses a pneumatic stapler: $2000 Solar Space + Water Heating System: Staple Up Radiant Floor Heat Here is what I've gotten so far. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

12-28-13, 10:42 PM	#2
greif a van down by the river Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kaukauna,WI Posts: 108 Thanks: 6 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	I used pneumatic stapler __________________ Gary R “If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking... is freedom. ” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower

12-30-13, 07:59 AM	#3
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Thanks, that is what I was thinking. I'll be borrowing one from my brother in law to finish those up! __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-10-14, 09:14 AM	#5
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	Just to follow up on this. I ended up borrowing a pneumatic stapler to do the work. I haven't used it yet, but nothing else I tried worked. I tried a spring loaded stapler, it wouldn't go in far enough. I didn't try my electric stapler and I did not try using screws. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-18-14, 09:57 AM	#6
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,525 Thanks: 1,162 Thanked 374 Times in 305 Posts	I just wanted to wrap up this thread. I ended up using the pneumatic stapler and it worked like a dream. I had to adjust the pressure down to ~40 psi to not shoot the staple clean through the aluminum and still have it go in all the way. This took a bit of trial and error, but it wasn't bad. After I got it set, it worked so nice. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-02-14, 03:52 PM	#4
opiesche Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Rohnert Park, CA Posts: 99 Thanks: 4 Thanked 14 Times in 9 Posts	I used a couple of screw guns and drywall screws (6-8 per plate depending on length) for my installation. It's not quite as quick as stapling, but still fast and easy to do - screwing the plates down took about 10-15 minutes per room with two people. Also, after removing the carpet and padding, I never wanted to hear the word Staple again.