# Alternate stapler setting **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 23, 2001, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-stapler-setting/89091 "2001-10-23T15:13:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Orval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@Orval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orval)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-stapler-setting/89091/1 "2001-10-23T15:13:41Z")
Does anyone know what this is for? I mean that little metal adjustable square on a stapler - The one the makes the stapler prongs go in or out. Every now and then I go around the office and change everyones stapler to the “out” setting. The next day they are all turned back to the “in” position. Why the dislike for the outy staples? Why is the iny staple the choice? Help! I must know. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-stapler-setting/89091/2 "2001-10-23T15:44:00Z")
I don’t know, but I’ve always suspected that the position with the prongs out (an “outy” as you say) didn’t hold the papers as well and was mnore likely to slip, but was less bulky, and so might be preferred in some circumstances. That’s just my guess, though, and my batting average for such random thoughts hasn’t been great today. ---
**Author:** ![Perderabo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Perderabo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Perderabo)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-stapler-setting/89091/3 "2001-10-23T16:07:55Z")
A stapler applied with the stapler in the second position is much more easily removed by hand. I was always told that this is the idea of the second position. But we all use paper clips to temporarily bundle a few pages, so we keep our staplers in the normal position. ---
**Author:** ![DaveW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DaveW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveW)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2001, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-stapler-setting/89091/4 "2001-10-23T16:22:36Z")
A phone call (quaint, huh?) to [Stanly-Bostitch](http://www.stanleybostitch.com/)’s office products customer service line confirms that **Perderabo** ’s got it right. The ‘out’ position is for temporary stapling. ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-stapler-setting/89091/5 "2001-10-24T11:46:35Z")
For more stapler information, check out [http://www.calcampus.com/stapler/index.htm](http://www.calcampus.com/stapler/index.htm) where we find this is the most frequently asked question: > [@](#): > > Q)Every stapler I have ever seen in my life (with the exception of those tiny little ones) has a switch to make the tangs on the staples bend in or out. I have yet to figure out what the advantage is to having the staples bend out. More puzzling to me is the fact that all stapler companies seem to feel that this is an important feature of a stapler, but I have yet to meet anybody who uses the bend out option, or even knows why it’s there. So why is the switch on there? > A) This is called the Pinning/Stapling switch. It is located on the anvil. The pinning function is a carryover from the time before staple removers. It makes the staple form a relitivly straight form. You can staple two pieces of paper together then pull out the staple. Good for temporary fastening. It’s kind of a paperclip competetor. You can also use it when sewing. Instead of using pins, you just staple. There is also one used on Hotchkisses and some Bates staplers that makes one end go in and one go out. You pull the side with the crimped down staple to get the staple out. I might just try this next time I start some serious sewing, pinning is a royal pain, as far as I’m concerned. Anyway, this site has some interesting information, like the history of staples, etc. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/alternate-stapler-setting/89091/6 "2001-10-24T12:26:14Z")
It’s deja vu all over again. [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=41230](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=41230) [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=80344](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=80344)