DeWalt 3/4 in. x 16‑Gauge Galvanized Staple

A straightforward, jobsite-ready staple with a few quirks to watch

I put these 16‑ga galvanized wide‑crown staples to work on two recent projects: fastening housewrap over OSB on a small addition and securing expanded metal lath for a stucco repair. The format—1-inch crown, 3/4‑inch legs—fits that sweet spot for non-structural, surface-holding tasks where you want a wide bearing surface without burying fasteners too deep. Over a few boxes, they drove cleanly, held well, and resisted the kind of on-site abrasion and moisture exposure that quickly out the pretenders. They’re not perfect, but their strengths line up well with their intended use.

What you’re getting

• 16‑gauge, 1‑inch wide‑crown construction staples
• 3/4‑inch leg length
• Galvanized to ASTM A641 Class 1
• Boxed in sleeves totaling 2,000 staples

The staples arrive well-collated and consistent. Stick integrity is solid—no crumbly glue or bent legs right out of the box—and I didn’t see the kind of flaring or skewed crowns that can cause early jams. Points are properly formed and sharp, which helps a lot in OSB and drier framing members.

In the stapler

In a DeWalt wide‑crown stapler and a well-worn Senco, these ran trouble-free. Driving depth was predictable across softwood framing, OSB, and plywood. On housewrap, the 1‑inch crown distributes load nicely, so I had fewer “cheese slicer” tears compared to narrow‑crown staples. Over lath, the crown was wide enough to keep sheets from drumming without forcing me to pepper the field with extra fasteners. With air pressure set conservatively, the crowns sat snug and slightly proud on wrap and about flush on lath—right where I wanted them.

Glue transfer on the driver was minimal. After a couple hundred shots, I saw a light amber haze on the blade but nothing requiring mid-day cleaning. That’s a quiet efficiency win if you’ve battled gummy collation in the past.

Crown sizing and compatibility

Here’s where I did hit a wrinkle. With calipers, my samples consistently measured about 0.98 inches across the crown. In practical terms, that’s “industry one inch,” but it’s on the tighter end of the spectrum. Many brands run a hair wide (1.00–1.03 inches), and some staplers seem happier with that. In a Metabo HPT wide‑crown stapler, the narrower crown created just enough side-to-side float in the rails that I had intermittent misfeeds and a couple of double-feeds. Swapping to a different staple brand fixed the behavior; swapping the tool fixed it too. In the DeWalt and Senco bodies, I had no such issues with these staples.

If your stapler is picky—or if you’ve tuned your rails or driver to a favorite brand’s exact 1-inch spec—this subtle dimension difference can matter. It’s not a quality defect; it’s a tolerance reality. But it’s worth knowing before you buy in bulk.

Holding power and material behavior

These staples bite better than their 16‑ga size suggests, largely thanks to consistent point geometry and straight legs. In construction SPF and plywood, I got clean penetration at modest pressures. In denser material (old-growth fir and southern yellow pine), I needed a bump in pressure but still didn’t see excessive blow-through or leg splay. The 3/4‑inch leg length is well-suited for:

• Housewrap, felt, and building paper over wood sheathing
• Metal lath and some wire mesh to studs or sheathing
• Foam board and rigid insulation (when paired with caps or washers if required)
• General interior fastening where a wide crown is an asset

If you’re working in pressure-treated lumber, hardwood furring, or areas where long-term corrosion is a concern, you may want to consider a longer leg or different finish as appropriate to the application and local code.

Corrosion resistance and finish

These are galvanized to ASTM A641 Class 1, which translates to a light zinc coating on the wire. In plain language, they’re fine for interior work and for exterior tasks where they’ll be covered or not directly exposed to prolonged moisture. On my stucco patch, the lath layer will be encapsulated; after a damp week pre-coat, I saw no red rust or white zinc bloom. For coastal environments, direct weather exposure, or in contact with modern treated lumber, I’d step up to a heavier coating (e.g., hot-dip, class 3) or stainless. That’s not a knock—Class 1 is entirely appropriate for the stated use—but it’s the right material choice conversation to have before you start.

Accuracy and consistency

Consistency is where these staples earn their keep. Across three boxes, leg length was uniform, crowns were straight, and the wire gauge felt true. That gives predictable depth and holding power, which, in turn, lets you set and forget your regulator. I didn’t chase overdrives or proud legs, and I didn’t have to swap sticks because of bent wires or bad globs of glue.

Packaging and quantity

The 2,000-count format is practical. It’s enough to get through a small siding or wrap job without a re-supply run, but you’re not stuck with 10,000 leftovers that live in your trailer for the next three years. Sticks are sleeved well, boxes survive a few rides in the gang box, and the labels don’t smear at the first hint of rain.

Where they shine

• Housewrap and felt where a wide crown minimizes tearing
• Metal lath or mesh fastened to wood or sheathing prior to a scratch coat
• Light exterior duty where Class 1 galvanization is appropriate
• Remodel and patch jobs where you’ll appreciate the 2,000-count box

What to watch

• Crown width runs narrow (~0.98 inch). Some staplers with tight tolerances may misfeed or balk.
• Class 1 galvanization isn’t a match for coastal exposure or direct contact with treated lumber over the long term.
• 3/4‑inch legs are intentionally modest; not for structural fastening or thick assemblies.

Value

Pricing will vary, but in general the per-thousand cost is a little higher than buying in bulk sleeves, as expected. The trade-off is less waste and less money tied up in a size you may only need for specific scopes. Given the consistency and the hassle-free driving I experienced in compatible staplers, the value proposition makes sense for small to mid-size jobs.

Final take

These DeWalt wide‑crown staples do the basics right: consistent manufacturing, reliable feeding in compatible guns, and a zinc coating that suits their intended interior/exterior construction roles. The crown dimension sits on the narrow side of “one inch,” which won’t matter in many staplers but can be a stumbling block in a few. That and the light galvanization class are the two details to match carefully to your tool and job.

Recommendation: I recommend these staples for lath, housewrap, and general fastening where a 1‑inch crown and 3/4‑inch legs make sense, provided you confirm compatibility with your stapler. If your gun is sensitive to crown width or you’re working in coastal or treated-lumber conditions, look for a version with a slightly wider crown tolerance or a heavier coating. For most interior and covered exterior applications, these are a reliable, clean-driving choice that deliver predictable results without drama.