Imagine being ordered to hand-nail a shingle roof. I’ve felt that same sense of dread when it’s time to secure cables as part of an electrical project. Fastening cables is painful, and constantly reaching into and refilling my bag can make for a finger-poking, hand-cramping day, and the constant bending over and picking up staples dropped or sent flying from misplaced hammer blows can make the day even more frustrating.

I’ve learned it’s money well spent to buy tools that improve quality, performance, and speed when doing electrical work. Milwaukee has made fastening line- and low-voltage electrical cables easier with its M12 Cable stapler. Not only does the tool make driving staples faster, but its depth-of-drive adjustment is very consistent, and it can secure both single and double layers of nonmetallic sheathed cable. The stapler is very slim, so it works perfectly for fastening cables in tight spaces where it would be nearly impossible to use a hammer.

The housing is well balanced, with a trigger you can pull with one or two fingers. There’s little chance to mistakenly dry-fire, because the nose of the tool must be centered over the cable before you can drive a staple. Staple strips have 20 1-in.-wide staples per clip, and the manufacturer claims you can drive 1200 staples with a single 2-Ah battery. The staples can secure both single or double 14-2, 14-3, 12-2, 12-3, and 10-2 cables, or single 10-3 cable. You can also fasten CAT3, CAT5, and coax cables. The tool’s 45-staple magazine is easy to load, and you can even do it one-handed if you lay the tool on its back. There’s no question that adding this cable stapler to your tool fleet is going to make your electrical work quicker and more comfortable. 

Milwaukee M12 Cable Stapler (2448-20)

Magazine capacity: 45 staples

Cable compatibility: 14, 12, and 10 AWG and low voltage

Weight: 4.6 lb.

Price: $230 (tool only); $300 (as a kit with 2-Ah battery and charger)

– Josh Risberg, a contractor in Rosemount, Minn.
Photos: courtesy of Milwaukee
From Fine Homebuilding #315

RELATED STORIES

• The Right Cable for Each Job
• Running Electrical Cable
• Pulling Cable vs. Fishing Cable

Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products

Metabo HPT Impact Driver (WH18DBDL2)

This impact driver is a small, light, and powerful tool featuring three hammers and anvils instead of the usual two.

Buy at Amazon

DEWALT Impact Driver (DCF885)

This impact driver has has plenty of power, excellent slow-speed control, and features a trio of LED lights mounted around the chuck that light the work area.

Buy at Amazon

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 18v Cordless Circular Saw (2730-22)

This saw features a brushless motor, a magnesium baseplate and blade guard for durability, LED lights that illuminate the cutline, and a well-designed rafter hook.

Buy at Amazon