DeWalt 9 Gauge Cordless Fencing Stapler Kit

Why I switched from air to battery for fencing

Dragging a compressor, air hose, and generator along a fence line used to be the worst part of stapling wire to posts. The first time I ran the DeWalt fencing stapler down a stretch of woven wire, the difference in setup alone felt like cheating—no hoses, no fuel cells, no warm-up. Snap in a 20V MAX 5.0Ah battery, load a strip of 9‑gauge staples, and get to work. For rural acreage or remote sections where power is a hike away, that simplicity translates into real productivity.

Setup, balance, and controls

The stapler is substantial—about 8.5 pounds with a 5.0Ah pack—but it’s well balanced with a neutral center of gravity over the handle. I carried it for half days without fatigue becoming the limiting factor; the wire and posts wore me out long before the tool did. The adjustable belt hook is sturdy and easily flips left or right, which helps when you’re climbing or stretching wire at odd angles.

Control placement is intuitive:
- A tool-free mode selector switches between Sequential (one staple per trigger pull) and Rapid Cycle (hold the trigger and bump to fire).
- Power level is adjustable to match staple length or density of your posts.
- Depth of drive is set at the nose with a tool-free dial, which is far more precise than relying on power level alone.

Loading is straightforward: pull back the pusher, drop in a stick of 9‑gauge fencing staples (1-1/2", 1-3/4", or 2"), and let the pusher seat them. The magazine holds up to 35 staples. There’s also a low-staple lockout that keeps you from dry firing. Practically, that means the last couple of staples won’t feed; I got in the habit of topping off when I could see daylight through the viewing slot.

Driving performance and consistency

I spent most of my time with 1-3/4" and 2" staples on treated pine and older, denser posts. With the power set appropriately and a small tweak of the depth dial, the stapler consistently set the crown just off the wire, leaving room for tensioning without crushing the strand. On softer new posts, backing off the depth dial a click or two kept the crown from burying. On hard, seasoned posts (or at bracing points with double wire), I bumped the power to the next level rather than forcing depth via the nose; that approach delivered more consistent drives and fewer partial sets.

The multi-angle contact tip is genuinely useful. Its geometry makes it easy to “catch” the wire and hold it in place while you drive, whether you’re shooting on the face of a post or reaching around a corner. Visibility at the nose is good enough to place staples precisely on single barb strands or along the top line of woven wire.

Compared with a pneumatic setup, the electric drive has a gentler initial hit. That’s a plus when working near plastic-coated wire or poly mesh—I didn’t slice strands like I’ve done with a hotter air gun. The tradeoff is that you rely a bit more on matching power to the job, but the combination of power level and depth adjustment gives plenty of control.

Speed and firing modes

For accuracy on line posts and braces, I ran Sequential mode almost exclusively. It’s predictable and deliberate, which is what I want when tension and placement matter. On long runs of T-post adjacents or repetitive stapling along flat faces, Rapid Cycle earns its keep. Hold the trigger and bump, and the tool cycles smoothly without the stutter you sometimes get in cheaper nailers. If you’re used to a framing nailer’s bump mode, this feels similar—quick, but not reckless.

Runtime and batteries

With the included 5.0Ah batteries, I could work through several hundred staples per pack depending on the wood density, staple length, and power setting. On 1-1/2" staples in medium-density posts, battery life was excellent. On 2" staples in older hardwood posts and higher power, runtime drops, as expected. The included charger is fast enough to keep a rotation going: one in the tool, one on charge, and I rarely waited.

The brushless motor helps with efficiency and heat. Even after extended sequences in Rapid Cycle, the tool stayed consistent without thermal cutouts.

Jams and maintenance

Jams were infrequent and easy to clear. The nose opens quickly with a tool-free latch, so the occasional twisted staple or misfeed didn’t derail the day. Keeping the nose clean of dust and staple debris makes a difference; a quick blowout now and then kept feeding smooth. The low-staple lockout and a solid magazine spring mean you’re not dry-firing and peening the driver blade—good for longevity.

Ergonomics in the field

A couple of small touches show this was designed for fence work:
- The contact trip is shaped to sit over wire without slipping off, even on slight diagonals.
- The nose height makes it easy to leave a controlled gap under the crown for tensioning.
- The weight and handle shape encourage two-handed control when needed—one on the handle, one steadying at the nose—which helps accuracy on uneven posts.

I’d call the tool “field comfortable,” not featherweight. If you’re used to swinging a hammer all day or lugging a hose and gun, this is a significant step up in comfort and control.

Staples and compatibility

It takes collated 9‑gauge fencing staples in 1-1/2", 1-3/4", and 2" lengths with a medium crown. You’ll want to use quality staples with barbs and corrosion protection suited to your environment (galvanized for most, hot-dipped for harsh conditions). Cost per staple is higher than hand-driven loose staples, but the speed and consistency make up the difference quickly on any meaningful run of fence.

Durability and build

Construction is robust: thick housing, reinforced magazine, and a driver assembly that doesn’t feel overtaxed by 9‑gauge staples. The adjustable belt hook is metal and actually holds. The tool is designed for outdoor jobsite conditions and handled dusty, windy days without issue. Keep it dry and blow it out periodically, and it should hold up for seasons of maintenance and new installs.

Value and who it’s for

At around $869 for the kit (two 5.0Ah batteries, charger, and bag), this isn’t an impulse buy. But it’s a complete, ready-to-work package with the same 20V MAX batteries that power a lot of other jobsite tools. If you’re:
- Maintaining several acres of fence,
- Building new runs where power is remote,
- Or replacing a compressor-and-hose routine,

the time saved alone justifies the cost quickly. For crews doing fencing every day, a dedicated battery platform without fuel cells is appealing—less consumable overhead, fewer moving parts.

If you only repair a few posts a year, it’s overkill. A hammer and loose staples still work, and a lower-cost pneumatic gun can make sense if you already own a compressor and you’re close to power.

Limitations to note

• Weight is noticeable, especially one-handed at shoulder height. It’s manageable but not light.
• The low-staple lockout means you’ll reload with a few staples still in the magazine. That’s by design to protect the driver, but plan your reloads.
• You still need to match power and depth to wood density; it’s not a “set and forget” tool across wildly different posts.
• Like all staplers in this class, you’ll get the best results with high-quality staples; cheap consumables are a false economy.

Bottom line

The DeWalt fencing stapler delivers exactly what I want in the field: consistent drives, controllable depth, and a cordless system that lets me focus on wire and posts instead of hoses and fuel. It’s fast in Rapid Cycle when speed matters and precise in Sequential when accuracy is the priority. Runtime is solid with the included 5.0Ah batteries, jams are rare and easy to clear, and the ergonomics make long days of fence work simpler.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool to property owners, ranchers, and pros who build or maintain wire fencing with any regularity. The upfront cost is real, but the gains in mobility, setup time, and consistent staple placement are equally real. If your fence line is more than a weekend chore and you value working un-tethered without gas or hoses, this stapler is a smart, durable investment.