Staple -- Ouch! -- Staple
Written: Mar 02 '04 (Updated Feb 14 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Set contains stapler, staples and staple remover. Stapler easy to load. Excellent price.
Cons: Stapler hurts my hand to use it.
The Bottom Line: I wanted to staple the Bottom Line to demonstrate this stapler for you, only it hurts to use the stapler.
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| dlstewart's Full Review: Swingline 818 Full Strip Stapler Value Pack Built-... |
I never thought I would review a stapler. I've been using this stapler for several months now, and a moment ago I held this Swingline stapler in my hand and thought, "I really need to tell people about this product. Especially if they have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or problems with their hands." So here's the scoop about the Swingline 818 Stapler Value Pack.
What Comes in the Package
* One Swingline 818 Stapler
* One box of Swingline S.F.4 Hi-Performance Staples (1250 staples)
* One Swingline Metal Staple Remover
All three items are sandwiched between two pieces of stiff clear plastic. I needed scissors to break into the packaging.
The Stapler
This stapler has a plastic body. The upper body of the stapler is a translucent purple, and the lower section is a putty color. The underside of the stapler is fitted with black plastic. The advertising for this model claims the stapler has a "full rubber slipper". I take this to mean a nonskid rubber footing. The black plastic (not rubber as I know it) on the bottom of this stapler slides across my desk. There is nothing nonskid about it.
The stapler measurements are: 7 1/4" long x 2 1/2" tall x 1 7/8" wide. When at rest, the mouth of the stapler is about 1/2" wide.
Advertising also says this stapler has a "contour shape for hand comfort". I do not find this stapler comfortable to use. It actually hurts my hand to staple with it. I've held this stapler a variety of ways, too. I have even used it in both left and right hands.
1. Holding the stapler so that the mouth of the stapler faces away from my body -- This stapling position hurts my hand the most. I can feel the tendons in my wrist protesting.
2. Holding the stapler so that the mouth of the stapler faces me -- Stapling in this position hurts the palm of my hand.
3. Stapling with the stapler stationary on the desk -- This is the most comfortable stapling position but requires force to completely staple paper. Sometimes two hands are needed. Standing over the stapler and pressing down on it works best.
I've seen this stapler in several color combinations. This stapler has the purple top and putty colored bottom. It also comes in a solid putty color, green top with a putty colored bottom, and a blue top with a putty colored bottom.
The Staples
The stapler came with a narrow cardboard box of S.F.4 Hi-Performance staples (reorder # 35450). The Speedpoint staples are full-strip length. According to the packaging, there are 1250 staples in this box or 6 strips with 210 staples per strip.
To load the stapler, lift up on the top plastic section. Pop in a new strip of staples. Close the plastic top and a spring-controlled slider pushes the staples into position. You are ready to staple. It's simple to load this stapler.
I can easily staple 10 sheets of normal 20-pound copier paper. The manufacturer states this stapler can staple up to 25 sheets of 20-pound paper. Stapling 25 sheets of copier paper, the staple sometimes (but not often) folds on one end so that both prongs of the staple do not go through the paper. When I try to staple 20 sheets of paper, the staple successfully penetrates the layers with the occasional misfire. Considering that the last stapler I owned (an old Bates 580 model) had almost no chance of successfully stapling two pieces of paper together, I'm pleased with the stapling ability of this Swingline stapler.
The Staple Remover
Note that even though the description of this product says "Stapler Value Pack Built-in Remover" ... the staple remover is not built-in to the stapler. The remover is a separate piece of metal that is not connected in any way to the stapler.
This set comes with a curved metal staple remover. The staple remover is about 6 1/4" long and fits comfortably in the hand. In a strange way, the shape somewhat reminds me of a soup spoon one would find in a Chinese restaurant. The user holds the cupped end (where the soup would sit!). Insert the rounded tip beneath the staple and push the staple remover away from you along the paper to pry the staple free. The staple catches against two raised metal sides near the flat tip and holds the staple as the remover lifts the staple free from the paper. Sometimes if the staple is deep into the paper, the staple remover has to be tilted side- to-side to wedge it beneath the staple.
Overall this staple remover works very well, even when lifting more than one staple. Occasionally I accidentally tip the remover to the side when removing a staple, and the staple goes flying across the room. When at rest on a desk top, the cupped area of the staple remover lays flat with the rounded end lifted off the desk surface. This might be a safety hazzard for some. I would definitely keep this staple remover away from small children.
Purchasing the Stapler
The Swingline 818 Stapler Value Pack cost $7.35 at Staples.com. Replacement staples at Staples.com cost $2.89 for 5000 Speedpoint staples.
Summary
Due to the fact that I am not comfortable holding this stapler, I would not recommend it. When I staple papers, I don't want hand pain. I'm the type of person who prefers to hold a stapler rather than leaving it on the desk top to staple. If you prefer using the stapler on the desk top, then this might be the stapler for you. I'm very happy with the quality of the staples, and the bonus of the staple remover is a nice addition to this packaged set. No matter which stapler you use, please make sure it's ergonomically correct for your hand, especially if you staple a lot of papers. Repetitious movement, such as stapling, can cause hand injury.
I hope you have found this review useful.
Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Additional Information
ACCO Brands, Inc.
300 Tower Parkway
Lincolnshire, IL 60069
Tollfree Telephone Number: 800-820-6220
Manufacturer limited one-year warranty
Please read my other reviews.
Acco Electric 3-Hole Punch
Gateway 500X Desktop Computer
Belkin UPS Emergency Battery Backup
Dazzle 6-in-1 Multimedia Reader
Rubbermaid 3-Drawer File Tower
Sterilite Ultra Storage Drawer
Mighty Bright Light
Conditioning & Stress Relief ( yoga video)
JVC DVD Player
Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart
Recommended:
No
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