'Great For DIY Use': The Underrated Tool Harbor Freight Shoppers Are Loving

Using small nails can be fiddly, and there's always a risk you'll give your fingers a painful whack with the hammer. It's common to use a stapler instead for many DIY jobs and projects like transforming a boring headboard with new upholstery. However, staple guns can be a bit cumbersome, and it often takes quite a lot of effort to squeeze the trigger. If you need to fire a lot of staples, your hand can get sore.

One underrated alternative that ought to be on the list of Harbor Freight tools every DIYer should know about is called a hammer tacker. It's a slender tool that takes common T50 staples from ¼ inch to 9/16 inch long. It has a handle a lot like a normal hammer, and that's how it's used, except you don't need to hold a nail. When the head strikes an object, it automatically fires a staple into it. It can be much faster than using a staple gun or a hammer, and there's virtually no risk of hitting your fingers. The Fasten-Pro Hammer Tacker costs just $14.99. It has a solid steel body and a non-slip rubberized handle for a comfortable grip. Owners give the hammer tacker an average rating of 4.4 stars, and 90% would recommend it. Comments on Harbor Freight's site focus on ease of use, durability, and how it's a "nice alternative to conventional stapler guns."

The hammer tacker weighs a fraction over 2 pounds, which makes it very manageable while still having enough heft that you don't need a lot of energy to drive in the staples. It is used much like a hammer, so you should hold it near the bottom of the handle and, where possible, give it a full swing. It takes a while to get accustomed to it, but with a little practice, you'll soon be driving staples quickly and accurately.

It's the kind of tool that has a wide range of uses in the DIY and building world. We already mentioned upholstery, but you can also use it for fixing carpeting, hanging insulation, or felt roofing a shed. One Harbor Freight customer used it for pinning up targets at the range. Another used it for putting up tar paper around a garage before attaching siding. For such a simple tool, the Fasten-Pro Hammer Tacker is remarkably versatile. If you must use a hammer, there are hacks that can make life easier that you might want to investigate, but investing in a tool like this is the quickest way to make your fastening jobs easier.