Hitachi N3804AB3 1 1/2-Inch 18-Gauge Narrow Crown Finish Stapler

by Hitachi

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Hitachi’s 1-1/2-inch stapler is the ideal tool for internal and external trim, furniture, cabinet work and other finish applications. The N3804AB3 accepts ½- to 1-1/2-inch 18-gauge, ¼-inch crown staples. The new selective actuation switch lets the user conveniently select bump fire actuation for quick stapling when precise placement is not required. By simply flipping the switch, the user transitions to sequential fire for exact staple placement. At only 2.3 pounds, it is well-balanced and lightweight to make work a breeze. The durable elastomer grip adds comfort while preventing slippage. Loading and reloading staples is easy with a top load magazine. Staples are visibly exposed so that blank drives are avoided. This stapler features a tool-less, easy-to-clear nose for quick and simple extraction should a staple jam during use. It has been engineered with a rear mounted safety and a short center height to allow for staple placement and easy visibility in hard to reach areas and tight corners. A simple turn of the depth of drive dial allows the user to easily adjust the drive depth, accommodating woods of varying density for appropriate holding power based on the application. The new no-mar tip on the nose protects the work surface from scarring and denting. An easy to use 360 degree adjustable exhaust port keeps dust, debris and oil off the work surface and away from the user.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000MLPE7G
• Item model number: N3804AB3
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,301 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
  • #1 in Home Improvement > Air Tools > Staplers > Finish Staplers
  • #32 in Home Improvement > Power & Hand Tools > Power Tools > Nailers & Staplers

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars soldering iron, July 21, 2008

By 

Soldering Iron (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hitachi N3804AB3 1 1/2-Inch 18-Gauge Narrow Crown Finish Stapler (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've used many brands of nail guns with various prices and qualities. The Hitachi Narrow Crown Finish Stapler definitely one of the best considering the low price. Light, and easy to use, it also has a switch for single shot or bump action which is wonderful. Most homeowner will feel much comfortable with single shot and able to check how many staple left with exposed rail. With a short practice, most people can gain most of the control of this staple and use it with ease. It has no problem driving 1 1/2 into wood and I felt it doesn't use much of air pressure as my compressor stay quiet longer than some other nail guns with similar capability.

The only thing I don't like is the kit does not come with sample staples and lubricant. It is not that I don't have them at home but it means the case does not design with designated places for those. minus one star for that.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mighty Mouse, November 12, 2009

By 

p89jjy717 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hitachi N3804AB3 1 1/2-Inch 18-Gauge Narrow Crown Finish Stapler (Tools & Home Improvement)

One thing I will add that the other reviewers did not mention is that this stapler packs a heck of a wallop. The power of this lightweight unit really amazed me.

The truth is, I did not know what to expect. I have never owned an air-powered stapler or nail gun. I planned to use this Hitachi stapler to put up kraft-faced insulation, and then later use it for trim work. Yeah, right. I loaded it with 0.50" staples. They went right through the paper tabs on the insulation and kept on going into the studs. I had to look hard to find them because they had been sunk so deeply.

I turned the air pressure down to 70 PSI, which is the minimum operating pressure and set the stapler's depth adjustment to minimum. No dice. Too powerful! I went back to using my Arrow T-50 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Special.

I decided to get to know this little monster better. So I ran a test to see what it could do. I loaded it with 1.50" Senco staples and fastened a piece of 7/16" Oriented Strand Board (OSB) to some wall studs in about five seconds. Extremely impressive! I showed my science project to my wife.

She said, "Very nice. Now take it down. It looks terrible stuck up there."

I tried to pull the test piece off the wall with my bare hands, but it would not budge. Then I tried to pull it off with a 22 oz. framing hammer. That didn't work either. Finally, I had to use a 3-foot long pry bar. Geez, talk about embarrassing.

My last futile effort involved trying to recycle the test piece of OSB by attempting to extract the 1.5" staples I had shot into it. I won't tell you what happened except to say the OSB went into my woodstove, staples and all.

Here is a tip: Whatever you staple with this Hitachi stapler is forever.

UPDATE, October 2010: This stapler is still going strong. I have put up 1536 sq. ft. of 3/8" plywood using the stapler and have done various other jobs with it. I have run nearly 3000, 1 1/2" staples through the unit and have not experienced a single jam or other malfunction.

As for maintenance, all I have done is cleaned the unit with compressed air and sprayed some WD-40 on its moving parts. Of course, the stapler gets five to eight drops of air tool oil before each work cycle.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent tool, July 29, 2009

By 

Rowland Shepard - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hitachi N3804AB3 1 1/2-Inch 18-Gauge Narrow Crown Finish Stapler (Tools & Home Improvement)

The Hitach is a nice looking tool, light weight, and it is cool. When loading the bolt draws back and locks. Staples fit over the rail tightly, but slide smoothly, release button is easy to operate and positive (not sloppy).

The stapler needs at least fifty pounds of pressure, but will sink the 1.25 inch staples perfectly into pine at that setting. It uses little air, so the compressor isn't called on much.

In "automatic" bump mode this gun will shoot all day. I was stapling 3' lengths of chicken wire to a wooden frame. The gun has never jammed.

As much as I hate manual staplers, I love this tool!

It is a joy to use, and accurate. I highly recommend this tool.