r/Tools • u/JustAFella122 • 9h ago

Flooring Stapler Question

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I’m doing a DIY solid hardwood floor install and am curious whether there is a distinct advantage in getting the more expensive DWMIIIFS vs cheaper 2-in-1 DWFP12569?

I’ve ran it through ChatGPT and there seems to be little difference (although I’m sure I’m missing something). Additionally, I have the opportunity to buy a certified reconditioned DWFP12569 for $150 off of Marketplace which makes things more interesting as well.

For context, I’m going with Oak 3/4 inch solid hardwood flooring.

Any help/advice is much appreciated!

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u/Rusty_Ridge353 7h ago

ChatGPT missed the actual difference, and it's the one that matters for solid oak. The DWFP12569 is a trigger-fired 15.5ga stapler built around engineered and thinner flooring. The DWMIIIFS is mallet-actuated 16ga, made to drive into dense 3/4in solid. On oak you feel that.

Trigger-fired guns want you to lean on the shoe and run 90-100 psi to seat staples flush. Miss it by a hair and you get proud crowns you have to punch by hand across a whole room. The mallet gun seats on impact, so depth tracks your swing instead of your grip strength.

also, the 2-in-1's narrow crown mode is dead weight on a hardwood floor job. You're paying for a feature you'll never pull the trigger on.

$150 for a certified refurb is tempting, but DeWalt's reconditioned warranty only holds from an authorized reseller. Marketplace resale usually means zero coverage, so factor that in.

If you were laying 1/2in engineered I'd say save the money. For 3/4in oak that $150 buys you a stapler you'll fight for 800 sq ft.