Product Review

For in-floor radiant heating installations. This easy-loading manual stapler, with magazine feed, operates from a standing position to quickly and easily secure a layout of PEX pipe (polyethylene cross-linked tubing) to a foamboard base. Malco's efficient, ergonomic, stapler design offers maximum control for comfortable one-handed, one-stroke staple insertion. The stapler head holds the PEX in place as staples are fed, via a non-stick polymer slide, to the plunger assembly. A leaf-spring controlled stop sets up each staple to avoid risk of deforming connections or jamming the stapler. The durable, lightweight magazine slide is made of a solid, one-piece engineered-polymer which balances the tool by directing the weight over the stapler head. An in-line D-grip correctly positions the user's hand and wrist for applying downward pressure while stapling, and when lifting and moving the tool. Exclusive Malco plastic foamboard staple designs accommodate 3/8, 1/2 or 5/8-in. (9.5, 2.7 or 15.1 mm) PEX and feature dual barbs for increased bite and holding power. These staples are also compatible with most other foamboard stapling systems. Malco 1-1/2 inch (38.1 mm) staples are designed for 1 inch (25.4 mm) foamboard. Additional barbs on 2-1/2 inch (63.5 mm) staples "double the holding power" in 2 inch (50.8 mm) foamboard. Discreet micro welds on the 25-piece staple loading strips separate cleanly as they are engaged in the stapler mechanism, and a staple weight added to the magazine slide ensures a smooth steady feed for uninterrupted stapling. A retractable wire-form stand allows the stapler to remain upright and spill-proof when not in use or when reloading staples.