Staplers
73/8 Hand Plier RAP31 (Rapid HD31 style) — Heavy-Duty Plier Stapler for Type 73 Staples
The 73/8 Hand Plier RAP31 is a robust, hand-operated plier stapler designed for fast, controlled stapling in packaging and industrial environments. This style of plier stapler is commonly associated with the Rapid HD31 / Rapid 31 format and is built to drive Rapid Type 73 series staples (including 73/8) for secure closures and attachments. Its plier-action design lets you staple one-handed while holding the workpiece with the other, making it a practical choice for repetitive bench work, packing stations, and production lines where speed and consistency matter.
Because Sapphire product pages can represent multiple configurations, this guide focuses on the tool family and staple system rather than a single size or variant. Always match the stapler and staple type to your material thickness and the closure strength you need.
Key Features
Designed for Type 73 staples
This plier stapler format is intended for Rapid Type 73 staples, including 73/6, 73/8, 73/10 and 73/12, giving you flexibility to choose a leg length that suits your application.
Plier-action, one-handed operation
The hand-plier mechanism provides strong leverage and good control, helping operators staple quickly and accurately during packing and assembly tasks.
Heavy-duty metal construction
Rapid’s HD31 / Classic heavy-duty plier stapler is described as a heavy-duty metal, nickel-plated tool built for frequent use; this RAP31 listing aligns with that industrial plier-stapler category.
Packaging and industrial use focus
This stapler type is widely used for packaging work such as closing bags, blister packaging, and general pack assembly where a firm staple closure is required.
Staple size choice for different materials
Type 73 staples are available in multiple leg lengths; 73/8 refers to Type 73 staples with an 8 mm leg length, a common choice for many packaging tasks.
Key Features (Bullet Summary)
- Staple system: Rapid Type 73 series (e.g., 73/6, 73/8, 73/10, 73/12)
- Staple size meaning: 73/8 = Type 73 staple with 8 mm leg length
- Tool style: Heavy-duty hand plier stapler (Rapid HD31 / Rapid 31 style)
- Typical environment: Packing benches, production lines, warehouse packing stations
- Typical tasks: Bag closing, blister packs, attaching labels/tags, general packaging assembly
Typical Uses
- Closing and sealing bags in packing operations
- Blister packaging and clamshell-style pack assembly
- General packaging assembly and light industrial fastening
- Attaching labels, tags, or inserts to packaged goods
- Workshop and bench tasks where a compact, hand-held stapler is preferred
73/8 Hand Plier RAP31 — Full Product Guide
Plier staplers are a staple (literally) of packaging operations because they combine speed, portability, and strong fastening in a compact hand tool. The RAP31 / Rapid 31 / HD31 style is a well-known heavy-duty format designed around the Type 73 staple family. Below is a practical guide to help you choose staples, understand how the tool works, and get consistent results in day-to-day use.
How It Works
A plier stapler uses a levered, hand-squeeze action to drive a staple through the material and clinch it against an anvil. Compared with desktop staplers, the plier format is easier to bring to the workpiece—useful when you’re closing bags, fastening packaging components, or working around awkward shapes. The leverage of the plier mechanism helps deliver a firm drive with less operator effort, which is especially valuable during repetitive packing tasks.
In practice, you position the jaws around the material, align the staple point, and squeeze the handles. The tool drives the staple and forms the legs against the anvil to create a secure closure. Consistent positioning and the correct staple leg length are the two biggest factors in achieving reliable results.
Staple System: Understanding “73/8” and Type 73 Compatibility
Type 73 is the staple family used by this stapler format. The second number (for example, “/8”) indicates the leg length in millimetres. So, 73/8 means a Type 73 staple with an 8 mm leg length. Rapid’s HD31 / Classic heavy-duty plier stapler is listed as compatible with 73/6, 73/8, 73/10 and 73/12, allowing you to select a staple length based on the thickness and compressibility of your materials.
Choosing the right leg length matters:
- Too short: may not penetrate and clinch properly, leading to weak closures.
- Too long: may over-penetrate, distort the closure, or create sharp protrusions depending on the material and anvil/clinch.
If you’re unsure, test on your actual packaging materials and adjust staple length until you get a clean clinch and the holding strength you need.
Materials and Construction
Rapid describes its Classic heavy-duty plier stapler (HD31) as a heavy-duty metal tool with a nickel-plated finish. Tools in this category are designed for frequent use in industrial and packaging settings, where durability and consistent performance are important. The metal build helps maintain alignment under repeated squeezing and reduces flex compared with lighter-duty office staplers.
Staples used with this system are commonly supplied in strong finishes (often galvanised or similar), intended to resist deformation during driving and clinching. Always use the correct staple type for the tool to avoid jams and inconsistent clinching.
Floor Type Compatibility
This is a hand tool, so “floor compatibility” is mainly about where it’s used rather than installed. It suits:
- Packing benches and workstations
- Warehouse packing areas
- Production lines and assembly tables
- Mobile use where a powered stapler isn’t practical
For best results, use a stable surface or a consistent support behind the workpiece so the staple clinch forms evenly.
Health and Safety
Plier staplers are powerful for their size. Good practice includes:
- Hand placement: Keep fingers clear of the jaw area and staple exit path.
- Eye protection: Consider safety glasses in industrial settings, especially when stapling harder materials or when staples could deflect.
- Staple handling: Store staple strips safely and avoid loose staples on benches where they can cause cuts or contamination.
- Ergonomics: For repetitive work, rotate tasks where possible and maintain a neutral wrist position to reduce strain.
Always follow your site’s safety procedures and any manufacturer guidance for the specific stapler variant you are using.
Ideal Applications and Use Cases
This stapler format is commonly used in packaging and industrial closing tasks. Examples referenced for Rapid 31 / HD31 style stapling pliers include:
- Closing bags (packing and dispatch operations)
- Blister packaging and similar pack assembly
- General packaging assembly where a staple closure is suitable
- Attaching labels, tags, or inserts to packs
It can also be used for paper and card tasks where a strong clinch is needed; Rapid’s HD31 is often cited with a paper capacity figure (up to around 70 sheets depending on thickness), but packaging materials vary widely, so real-world performance should be validated with a quick trial on your specific substrates.
Maintenance, Cleaning and Care
Keeping a plier stapler reliable is mostly about cleanliness, correct staples, and periodic checks:
- Use the correct staple type: Type 73 staples are designed for this mechanism; mismatched staples are a common cause of jams.
- Keep the magazine clean: Dust, paper fibres, and packaging debris can build up—wipe out the staple channel periodically.
- Inspect the anvil area: If clinches become uneven, check for debris or wear where the staple legs form.
- Store dry: Keep the tool in a dry environment to protect the finish and reduce corrosion risk.
If you experience repeated misfires, stop and check staple loading and alignment rather than forcing the tool, which can worsen jams or damage components.
Case Study (Typical Packing Bench Scenario)
A small dispatch team needs a quick way to close product bags and attach paperwork to outgoing parcels. A heavy-duty plier stapler using Type 73 staples allows operators to staple closures rapidly with one hand while holding the bag or insert with the other. By selecting an appropriate staple leg length (for example, 73/8 for many common packaging thicknesses), the team can achieve consistent closures without moving to a powered stapling station. The result is a simple, low-maintenance workflow that scales well for short runs and varied product sizes.
Who Is It For?
- Warehouses and fulfilment teams needing a fast, hand-held stapling solution
- Packaging lines assembling or closing packs where staples are an approved closure method
- Workshops and maintenance teams who want a durable, portable stapler
- Businesses that already standardise on Rapid Type 73 staples
Colours / Features Available
Plier staplers in the Rapid HD31 / Rapid 31 family are commonly supplied in a classic metal finish (often described as nickel-plated). Specific colourways and feature sets can vary by listing and supplier, so refer to the variant details on this page for what is currently offered.
Sizes Available
This product page may include variants (for example, pack quantities). For staple sizing, the key “sizes” are the compatible Type 73 staple leg lengths. Rapid’s HD31 / Classic heavy-duty plier stapler is listed as compatible with 73/6, 73/8, 73/10 and 73/12. Choose the staple length that best matches your material thickness and the closure strength required.
If you need help selecting the right staple length for your packaging material, share what you’re stapling (material type and approximate thickness), and we can recommend a sensible starting point for testing.
References used for this guide:
Rapid Classic Heavy Duty Stapling Pliers HD31 product page (Rapid) and Rapid 31 stapling plier overview (Margreiter Technik).