The first few times I used it I had trouble lining it up. Then I figured out there is a guide on it. I love the larger staples. It takes a lil practice but they turn out really nice.
You can easily remove the staples for reuse after practising..lining up on scrap paper. There is a slider along the bottom..and an arrow where your staple is inserted. Measure and set the slider!!
And you can use the staples without the tool!! Just need to mark and make tiny holes thru those Thicker items..fabrics and some metal papers. Sometimes the tool will not punch thru these items..or pull the threads of fabric.
I have tried hand setting the staples because I realize I could save myself a few bucks because it can be done but....however I am one of those I need it done now people so I wasn't satified with doing that. I also tried using my old QuicKutz and yep it worked but setting the staples in first and then pressing them seemed more trouble than just using my little hammer. The tool seems really the most sensible thing when trying to staples consistently. Hope I will not be disappointed.
I absolutely love my "fastenator", now!
It did take alot of practicing to get use to. But thankfully you can easily remove and straighten those little legs and try again. I have made some oops, but left them in, just because I thought it added character and charm to the page I was using it on.
I really like using the golden staples on the pages I am doing about an old house that my parents are remodeling this summer.
The easiest way to line up the staples is by checking the notches on both sides, once you have the angle the way you want it and then watch how far you want the staples set on the picture.
I have the staples but no Fastenator. I just push them through and turn the page over and take my little MM hammer and tap the ends down flat. It just seems simple to me and less expensive for me to do that and so far I don't have any problems.
I have the mini one which costs about 1/2 the price and like it! It does take a bit of practice, but most new tools do for me. I have also hand set the staples, but just when using only paper. Usually I am stapling through ribbon and need the Fastenater to do that. I'd say if you like the look of the staples, it's worth it. There are some really pretty designs of them.
I have one and love it. I did a staple swap for these and now have a collection of staples. I have a few examples in my gallery. Most craft stores have a Coupon you can use to save money. I have the bigger stapler (that's all they had when I purchased) the only reason you might want this one over the other is you can staple anywhere on a 12x12 sheet.
I held out buying this big thing. Until I saw the mini fastenator for almost 1/2 price. I like it. Maybe I'm a little more casual, but I've never tried to "line up" the staples. The staples don't need to be perfectly straight for me.
I just bought the mini one a week or so ago, using my 40% off Hobby Lobby Coupon , so I only paid like $6.50 for it. I've only used it on one layout, and my staples are nowhere near straight, but it kind of adds "character" to my page (like a pp said)!
I do appreciate the tips that a lot of you gave regarding lining up the staples, though! I haven't used it enough to know if I'm going to love it or not. It isn't one of those things that I "had" to have, but since I had the Coupon ... LOL
Did everyone see that they are only $14.99 this week at Hobby Lobby. Make sure you use both the front and side guide to line up your staples and it works great. I also found that if you staple on a hard surface, they'll go through much easier.
I have only the staples at this time, but I was reminded here that HL has a 40% off Coupon this week and they do sell the small fastenaters. I use my staples alone just fine, but a cheap small stapler might be nice.
I tried handsetting--a first and final. I recommend buying one with a Coupon . I don't necessarily get all mine straight, but I figure that's part of the homemade look--my bows aren't perfect either.
For you guys that are having trouble--are you using the sliding guide? That helps keep your paper straight while you use the top and side guides to "eyeball" the position.
The mini is a smaller version. The regular will go anywhere on a 12x12 page... the mini won't reach into the center of the page. I only have the mini and use the regular fastenator staples in it -- I think the staples go either place. HTH!
