What is this U-Shaped Nail With a Jacket?
October 5, 2009 7:18 PM Subscribe
What is this nail/staple/wire thing?
I have a bunch of little u-shaped nails, each of which has a little jacket-like thing wrapped around the top: Image
What are these things? What are they used for?
While I'm at it, what are u-shaped nails called? Are they called staples even when they're designed to be hit with a hammer rather than dispensed from a stapler or staple gun?
I have a bunch of little u-shaped nails, each of which has a little jacket-like thing wrapped around the top: Image
What are these things? What are they used for?
While I'm at it, what are u-shaped nails called? Are they called staples even when they're designed to be hit with a hammer rather than dispensed from a stapler or staple gun?
Best answer: My guess is that they're designed for holding electrical wires in place. The cutout inside probably prevents it from being driven in too far and damaging the wiring.
posted by chrisamiller at 7:25 PM on October 5, 2009
posted by chrisamiller at 7:25 PM on October 5, 2009
Best answer: Those are for running wire. The top lessens the chance that you'll snap the copper inside the wire with the jolt.
Bigger u-shaped nails can be called "horseshoe nails," but some people will call anything that looks like that a "staple," especially if it has corners.
posted by Mayor Curley at 7:28 PM on October 5, 2009
Bigger u-shaped nails can be called "horseshoe nails," but some people will call anything that looks like that a "staple," especially if it has corners.
posted by Mayor Curley at 7:28 PM on October 5, 2009
Best answer: Probably for telephone or intercom wire. Though it's hard to judge scale so they could be for coax or just about any kind of sheathed cable.
"Are they called staples even when they're designed to be hit with a hammer rather than dispensed from a stapler or staple gun? "
Yes.
posted by Mitheral at 7:28 PM on October 5, 2009
"Are they called staples even when they're designed to be hit with a hammer rather than dispensed from a stapler or staple gun? "
Yes.
posted by Mitheral at 7:28 PM on October 5, 2009
Best answer: That's a staple for attaching electrical wires to things (e.g. to framing). Hard to tell if that is the right size for residential wiring, but code will require that runs of wire be attached at various points inside your walls with these or similar staples.
U-shaped nails are called staples (e.g. fence staples are plain u/v-shaped nails used to attach wire or fencing to fence posts).
posted by ssg at 7:28 PM on October 5, 2009
U-shaped nails are called staples (e.g. fence staples are plain u/v-shaped nails used to attach wire or fencing to fence posts).
posted by ssg at 7:28 PM on October 5, 2009
Best answer: Ha, I have a box of these sitting right next to me at the moment! They are called Insulated Staples and I bought them to help me run cabling from my router to my computer on the other side of the room, since I had to go up and around a few doorframes and such. Very handy!
posted by platinum at 11:54 PM on October 5, 2009
posted by platinum at 11:54 PM on October 5, 2009
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posted by pompomtom at 7:25 PM on October 5, 2009