Installing Staples?

[Terry L.]

Does any body have a good way to install the staples that secure the rubber seals on the splash shields? Trying to match factory staples but its looking impossible unless i can find a stapler designed for the steel staples. The steel staples I have are hard to bend much less match the "crimp". I am thinking about making my own staples out of S.S. wire of the same gauge as the steel staples, which is much easier to bend.

[Rich P.]

Re: Installing Staples?

Terry,

look at the pics in post #8 in this thread.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...66993&uid=2869




Rich

[Jack H.]

Re: Installing Staples?

Most pro restoration shops do NOT use pre-formed staples. The process is rather labor intensive using bulk steel stock from a wire roll, re-using the factory original staple holes in the inner fender, and hand feeding, bending and cutting the metal ONE staple at a time!

On the use of SS pre-formed staples OR SS wire stock, go that route and your heart may sink when you encounter the judges who whip out their pocket magnets and test the 'originality' of your staple metal...

[John G.]

Re: Installing Staples?

If the original staples were carefully 'unbent' and you still have them you might want to reuse those if in good condition. Original staples are easily reformed back to shape with a set of needle nose pliers.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Installing Staples?

Does any one know what the original staple gun looked like?

[John H.]

Re: Installing Staples?

Does any one know what the original staple gun looked like?

Yes - it was a huge Bostitch pneumatic industrial stapler, mounted on a pedestal that was bolted to the floor; it was fed 16-ga. plain steel staple wire from a 25#-30# spool. Every Chevrolet assembly plant used them for stapling the skirt flaps.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Installing Staples?

John,
Thanks, what crown width were these (I'm away from the car for a while can't measure them)?

Anyone know of a hand version that can handle 16 gauge wire? I know that is where we all want to be!

[John H.]

Re: Installing Staples?

John,
Thanks, what crown width were these (I'm away from the car for a while can't measure them)?

Anyone know of a hand version that can handle 16 gauge wire? I know that is where we all want to be!

I don't recall - the staples were cut and formed from straight wire during the die stroke at insertion. There's no lesser stapler that will do that job; I make my own from 16-ga. wire (blister-pack hardware store item). All the pre-formed staples the vendors supply are stainless steel, which will result in a deduction in judging.

[Ronald L.]

Re: Installing Staples?

RTRW does supply with plain steel upon request.
The key to this is to have the anvil on the other side.

[Jack C.]

Re: Installing Staples?

Make sure you have them painted the same as was the rest of the engine compartment was during blackout.

[Terry L.]

Re: Installing Staples?

It Looks like the best choice is black wire and make them myself. Its very difficult if not impossible to get the curl to match factory curl

[Rich P.]

Re: Installing Staples?

It Looks like the best choice is black wire and make them myself. Its very difficult if not impossible to get the curl to match factory curl

If you reread the post I put up it is VERY EASY to reproduce the curl. Just time consuming. The pics I posted arent the best but you can get the idea.

Rich

[Terry L.]

Re: Installing Staples?

If you reread the post I put up it is VERY EASY to reproduce the curl. Just time consuming. The pics I posted arent the best but you can get the idea.

Rich

I tried this but couldn't get the results i wanted. Just need to keep working at it and hold my tongue in the right spot