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Family Handyman tested Ridgid’s 18V cordless crown stapler while installing garage insulation and running wire. The reviewer reported no jams and liked its wire attachment and light, but found that the tool still fired without staples and that staple depth drifted during use.
Family Handyman tested Ridgid’s 18V cordless 3/8-inch crown stapler while insulating a garage and attaching wire, reporting no jams during the test but noting that staple depth changed over time and the tool still fired when its magazine was empty. The review offers a practical assessment of a tool intended for insulation, wiring, screen work and upholstery, while its performance findings reflect one tester’s experience rather than a controlled product-wide comparison.
The reviewer used the stapler to fasten insulation while sheathing a newly built garage, then tried its onboard wire attachment on a wiring run. The test included six rolls of insulation, followed by a couple more rolls installed outside the main test. The reviewer said the 2.0 Ah battery indicator did not move during that work, though the report does not give a precise staple count or measure battery life under other conditions.
The tool weighs 3 pounds and runs on Ridgid’s 18V battery platform. It takes 3/8-inch crown T50 staples from 1/4 to 9/16 inch long. Features listed in the report include a depth adjustment knob, belt hook, built-in LED light and an onboard attachment for wire and screen. The reviewer said loading and firing were straightforward, and that the LED has a separate trigger.
The test also identified two issues. The reviewer found that staples began sitting proud after roughly 20 or 30 shots, requiring adjustments to the depth knob. The cause was unclear; the reviewer raised denser framing lumber and variations between staple strips as possibilities, not confirmed explanations. The stapler also fired with an empty magazine, despite the reviewer’s expectation that its advertised dry-fire lockout would prevent this. The reviewer said the tool did not mar the work surface during the test.
Where the Stapler Helps on Site
The test suggests the stapler may save effort on tasks that involve repeated fastening, particularly insulation installation and low-voltage wiring. The reviewer found the wire attachment useful for keeping a wiring run tidy and said the light helped when needed. Those features may matter to homeowners and tradespeople choosing between a cordless tool and a conventional stapler, especially if they already use Ridgid’s 18V platform.
The review does not establish that the tool is necessary for a single insulation job. The reviewer said a standard stapler could handle garage insulation, describing the cordless model as convenient rather than essential for that use alone. Its value depends on how often buyers expect to use the wire and screen attachment and other features. The depth drift and empty-magazine firing are practical considerations: users may need to check staple seating during work and watch the magazine rather than rely on the lockout as described by the reviewer’s experience.
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Test Setup and Product Details
The Family Handyman report frames the test around a garage project: the writer was insulating and sheathing the main level before adding cabinets and shelving. The stapler was purchased for that job, with possible later uses including wiring, upholstery and porch screening. The review’s findings come from this project and do not describe a formal comparison against other staplers or repeated trials by multiple users.
Ridgid’s product claims, as presented in the report, include a firing rate of 105 staples per minute and up to 6,800 staples per charge with a 4.0 Ah battery. Those are manufacturer claims, not figures verified by the reviewer’s insulation test. The tested battery was 2.0 Ah, and the report does not state a measured total number of staples fired. It also notes Ridgid’s lifetime service agreement, which requires registration within 90 days of purchase.
The report lists a Home Depot price of $119 for the tool alone and says a special-buy kit containing the stapler, charger and 2.0 Ah battery had been offered for $104 in the months before publication. It does not provide a dated price check, so current availability and pricing are not established.
“It’s as simple as load, point, and pull the trigger.”
— Family Handyman reviewer
Questions About Lockout and Depth
The report does not establish why the stapler’s depth setting shifted after repeated use. The reviewer could not determine whether the change came from denser framing lumber, staple-strip variation or another factor. It also remains unclear whether the empty-magazine firing was specific to the tested unit, reflected the reviewer’s understanding of the dry-fire lockout, or would be addressed through a product adjustment.
The test did not verify Ridgid’s stated maximum firing rate or its claim of up to 6,800 staples per charge on a 4.0 Ah battery. It provides no controlled comparison with other staplers, long-term durability results or independent confirmation of the product’s specifications. The report also does not establish whether the listed Home Depot deal is still available.
Check Fit Before Buying
Readers considering the stapler can check current pricing and kit contents with the retailer, since the report’s $104 special-buy price was not tied to a current date. Buyers should also confirm that their staples match the tool’s 3/8-inch crown and permitted leg length; the report says the model uses T50 staples from 1/4 to 9/16 inch long. Other staplers may require different staple types.
For users who buy the tool, the test points to two simple checks during work: confirm staple depth periodically and look at the magazine before firing. The source does not report a later manufacturer response or follow-up test, so whether the observed issues recur across other units remains unreported.
Key Questions
What did Family Handyman test the Ridgid stapler on?
The reviewer used it to fasten insulation in a garage and to attach wire with the onboard wire attachment. The main test covered six rolls of insulation, with a couple more installed afterward.
What staples does the Ridgid 18V crown stapler use?
According to the report, it takes 3/8-inch crown T50 staples ranging from 1/4 to 9/16 inch long. Check the tool’s manual and staple packaging before buying, since staple dimensions and types vary between tools.
Did the stapler jam during the test?
The reviewer reported no jams during the insulation and wiring work. That result describes one test and does not establish how every unit will perform.
What problems did the reviewer report?
The reviewer said staple depth began to drift after about 20 or 30 shots and needed adjustment. The tool also fired with an empty magazine, contrary to the reviewer’s expectation of the advertised dry-fire lockout.
How much did the stapler cost in the report?
The report listed the tool alone at $119 at Home Depot and described a $104 special-buy kit with a charger and 2.0 Ah battery. Those prices were reported at the time of publication, and current pricing is not confirmed.
Source: familyhandyman.com
