Stanley Bostitch S3297-LHF: nice tool, potentially obsolete
Written: Jan 09 '03 (Updated Jan 09 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: easy to use, light
Cons: newer model is better
The Bottom Line: Three stars - reflects not quality but potential that this one is obsolete
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| GuisBuild's Full Review: Stanley Bostitch Floor Runner Laminated Hardwood F... |
The name says it all: Floor Runner Laminated Hardwood Flooring Stapler. And if the name were any longer - well there isn't much left to say for within these words you find the purpose for which the tool was intended.
Weighing just under five pounds this is a perfect weight tool for installation of flooring considering the interesting angle installer will tend to be working from when completing the job. This especially comes to play when nearing the baseboard in a room and angles get particularly tight.
Pneumatic in nature, this one has a hose attachment out the back - a rather traditional format - nothing shocking or special but just fine in terms of use.
Staples load at back, on opposite end of hose attachment, lock into place securely while retaining ease of loading. Nothing spectacular once again but, here comes that word again, "fine".
Ease of Use - Because many users will be home owners embarking on a new laminate floor, it's important that this be relatively easy to use. Trigger response is good, weight is great, angle ability excellent. The actual process of use is equally handy with the tool fitting within the 3/8" thickness allowing the user a sense of security that the staple will enter where it should.
So it's a Good Tool.....but... In a world where laminate flooring has become one of those homeowner jobs (i.e. contractors are often not called in to do the installation), flooring manufacturers have thought ahead and created good floorings which install with a simple snap together system. Tool-free, hardware free.
With this set-up such a tool has already become obsolete.
Furthermore, it's always a good economic consideration to determine whether you'll actually use a tool again before purchasing. A contractor may end up re-using this one, a homeowner will probably not.
Finally, this model S3297-LHF is set up to accept 3/8" flooring. A new model has since been created, S3297-LHF-2 which is adjustable for various sizes of flooring thus rendering it potentially usable with traditional hardwood floor as well.
-VERDICT-
For the homeowner, non-contractor, with loads of laminate flooring to install this tool is fine if quality and ease of use is the only concern. I had no problems in that regard. For the contractor looking for a tool to add to an arsenal, go for the upgraded model and skip this one.
Finally, because the newer model seems to be more popular than this version, look for deals on this one including packages enabling the consumer to receive this tool packaged with another tool from Stanley Bostitch. It's not a bad tool - I just fear it's already obsolete.
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Stanley Bostitch offers a one year warranty and will replace or repair a tool purchased new within one year of purchase. The warranty covers only manufacturer defect.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
GuisBuild
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 - Top 200 |
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Location: USA
Reviews written: 143
Trusted by: 86 members
About Me:
to a man with a hammer everything looks like a nail
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