What are the dimensions of the staples used to attach the softop trim to the tack strips? Can a manual stapler be used or is a pnuematic or electric one neccessary?
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Re: 67 softop staples
Don't have dimensions of staples, but I've used the 'short leg' staples and, since they can't be seen when the wire-on is installed, gone with SS staples to thwart rusting.... Also, a conventional, hand operated staple gun will get the job done! -
Re: 67 softop staples
I have a gun to shoot the correct style. They are about 1/4 across the top. I dont remember exactly. I can check it, but as Jack says they are not visable if the job is done correctly.Comment
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Re: 67 softop staples
Randy,
original staples, leastwise for '56-'57 tops were "U" shaped, 3/16"wide across the top and 1/4"long (approx). The 3/16" wide staples cannot be found, least I never could find any. I Suggest you use 1/4" wide stainless steel staples, 1/4" deep such as Arrow type 150 stainless steel staples #509. These can be purchased easily at Home Depot or some like store and stainless steel is ideal. I would recommend an electric stapler with an extended nose such as the Arrow model # ETN-50. The extended nose is critical to be able to get the nose pressed against the canvas. Hope this helps. Even with he extanded nose I sometimes went over the driven staples with a drift to drive them a little bit deeper. In select areas the stapler could have a litle more push power. The top doesn't take a lot of stples, oft times canvas repair houses use way more than the General did originally.
Regards, JimComment
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Re: 67 softop staples
My top has been replaced once before so I have no way of knowing how the top was originally installed. The tacks holding the top are longer than the depth of the tack strips. Because of this, the points of the tacks are bentover. I have been told that this is to make them harder to pull out. I was wondering if this is the case with the staples.Comment
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Re: 67 softop staples
Ramdy, That's right many of the tacks (about 1/2" long did bend back upon themselves when the point hit the tack strip. ( I used 1/2" long copper tacks) Staples are not designed to do this and nomally did not bend back upon thmselves. Removing them was easy on the tack srip. The tacks sometimes tore the strip pretty good upon removal. The canvas at the front bow was glued with "yellow death" glue, a few staples+ the metal strip which held the front header rubber seal.
Tacks were genrally found where the canvas seams went over the tack strips. Generally one tack at each seam only.
At times a 1/4" long stainless staple was barely deep nough to do the job. I could of used 3/8 long stainless if I could have found any. As it was, 14" worked OK. Regards,Comment
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Re: 67 softop staples
Thank you for the information.Comment
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