That time my boss insisted on using staples for everything

My old boss, guy named Dave who worked out of Dallas, swore by staples on every alarm wire run. Said screws took too long. Well I did a job at a warehouse where the staple clipped a wire inside the wall and shorted the whole panel. Spent 4 hours chasing a ghost until I found it. Anyone else run into issues with cheap fasteners causing bigger headaches down the road?

3 comments

3 Comments

angela6872d ago

So I'm sitting there staring at this burnt up staple like it's gonna confess to the crime... reminds me of the time I stapled my own thumb to a stud because I was trying to be faster than the gun. Had to explain to the ER doc that yes, I'm a professional. We all learn the hard way that staples and electricity don't mix. Now I just use zip ties and pray nothing wiggles loose.

sean_torres712d ago

Did you at least get a tetanus shot to go with that story?

finleym4315h ago

Nah man, @sean_torres71 is right to joke but zip ties are way sketchier than people think. The plastic can dry rot from heat or just snap under vibration if you're not careful. I've seen a zip tie fail on a buddy's truck battery clamp - the whole thing just let go on a bumpy road. Staples might be dumb in live circuits but at least they hold tight when it matters. If you're gonna use zip ties, get the UV rated ones and check em every few months. Otherwise you're just one pothole away from finding out why metal fasteners exist.