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Family Handyman’s tool trial found Ridgid’s 18V cordless crown stapler straightforward to use for insulation and wiring, with no jams during the test. The reviewer also reported that the tested unit fired without staples and that staple depth drifted after roughly 20 to 30 shots.
Family Handyman tested Ridgid’s 18V cordless 3/8-inch crown stapler while installing insulation and running wire in a new garage, reporting that it was easy to use and did not jam during the trial. The reviewer also said the tested unit fired when its staple magazine was empty and that staple depth needed readjustment after every 20 or 30 staples, findings that qualify the tool’s advertised dry-fire lockout and adjustable-depth features.
The reviewer used the stapler to attach insulation in a garage and to fasten wire with its onboard wire attachment. The planned test involved six rolls of insulation; the reviewer also put up a couple more rolls outside the main test. The battery indicator on the included 2.0 amp-hour battery did not change during that work, according to the report. That is an observation from this test, not a general battery-life measurement.
The tool runs on Ridgid’s 18V battery platform and takes 3/8-inch crown T50 staples ranging from 1/4 to 9/16 inch long. Its listed features include a depth-adjustment knob, belt hook, built-in LED light and wire-and-screen attachment. Ridgid claims a firing rate of 105 staples per minute and up to 6,800 staples per charge with a 4.0 Ah battery; Family Handyman did not report independently testing those figures.
The reviewer said the stapler was simple to load and operate, and reported no jams during the trial. A few test staples were enough to dial in the depth setting at first. The reviewer found the separate LED-light trigger useful and said the wire attachment helped keep wiring neater than expected. Those are the reviewer’s impressions from work on this garage project, rather than results from a controlled comparison with other staplers.
Where the Stapler Helped—and Fell Short
For readers fastening insulation, screen or low-voltage wire, the test offers practical information beyond the product’s feature list: the reviewer found the stapler convenient and versatile across more than one task. That may make it useful for homeowners who expect to use it on multiple projects, not just one insulation job. The report does not establish how it performs over long-term use or against competing tools.
The reported drawbacks also matter in work where consistent fastening is needed. A stapler that can fire with an empty magazine may make it less obvious that it needs reloading, while a drifting depth setting can leave staples sitting proud unless the user checks and adjusts it. Readers should treat both as observations from one unit and monitor their own results rather than assume every tool will behave identically.
Family Handyman described the tool as nice to have, but not essential, for insulating a garage; a standard stapler could do that job. The reviewer’s case for the cordless model rested on its wire attachment, LED light and expected usefulness on future projects, as well as the kit price available at the time of the report.
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The Garage Project Behind the Test
The test came out of the reviewer’s effort to finish a newly built garage. After completing a basement and missing having a workshop, the reviewer began insulating the garage’s main level and covering it with oriented strand board before adding cabinets and shelving. The scale of the project prompted a store trip for more insulation and the purchase of the stapler.
The reviewer said the tool could also be useful for projects such as re-screening a porch, recovering a chair seat or fastening low-voltage wire. The report notes that the reviewer regularly uses Ridgid tools and discloses Ridgid’s lifetime service agreement, which applies when tools are registered within 90 days of purchase, according to the source. That disclosure is relevant when weighing the reviewer’s assessment.
At the time described in the article, the tool alone retailed at Home Depot for $119. The report said a special-buy kit containing the stapler, charger and 2.0 Ah battery had been available for $104 for the preceding few months. Those prices and the promotion reflect the report’s publication period and may not represent current listings.
“It’s as simple as load, point, and pull the trigger.”
— Family Handyman reviewer
Questions About Lockout and Depth
The report does not explain why the tested stapler fired after its magazine ran out, despite the reviewer’s understanding that the advertised dry-fire lockout would prevent firing. The reviewer noted that the tool did not mar the work surface, a benefit Ridgid associates with the lockout, and said it might have been performing part of its intended function. Whether the behavior was a fault, a limitation or a misunderstanding of the feature is not resolved in the report.
The reviewer also could not determine why staple depth drifted after about 20 or 30 staples. Denser lumber or differences between strips of staples were suggested as possible explanations, but neither was confirmed. The article provides no test of another unit, long-term durability data, formal accuracy measurements or independent verification of Ridgid’s speed and battery-capacity claims.
The reported prices were tied to a promotion at the time of publication, and the source gives no exact date or current availability. Buyers should check the product’s current price and instructions, including the specified staple type and size, before purchase.
Check Current Listings and Instructions
The source does not announce a follow-up test or a response from Ridgid about the reported empty-magazine behavior or depth drift. Readers considering the tool can check current retailer listings and consult the manufacturer’s manual for the correct staples and operating guidance. The compatible staples listed in the report are 3/8-inch crown T50 staples between 1/4 and 9/16 inch long; other staple guns may require different types.
Anyone using the stapler on a project should check staple seating as work progresses and confirm the magazine contains staples before fastening. For wiring, follow applicable electrical requirements and use appropriate fasteners and methods for the wire and installation. The report’s hands-on results remain limited to the reviewer’s garage project, so the tool’s performance in other materials and over extended use is still untested in the cited source.
Key Questions
What did Family Handyman test?
Family Handyman tested Ridgid’s 18V cordless 3/8-inch crown stapler on garage insulation and wire. The reviewer reported no jams during the test and found the tool straightforward to use.
What staples does the Ridgid stapler use?
The report says it uses 3/8-inch crown T50 staples from 1/4 to 9/16 inch long. Staplers can require different crown widths, lengths and wire gauges, so check the tool’s manual before buying staples.
What problems did the reviewer report?
The reviewer said the tested unit fired when the magazine was empty, despite the advertised dry-fire lockout, and that staple depth drifted after roughly 20 to 30 staples. The cause of either behavior was not determined.
How much did the stapler cost in the report?
At the time of publication, the report listed the tool alone at $119 and a kit with a charger and 2.0 Ah battery at $104 during a special-buy promotion. Those historical prices may have changed.
Source: familyhandyman.com
