Plastic Nails and Staples: A Guide to Raptor Composite Fasteners
By ANCO Fastener & Sales · · 8 min read
Plastic nails and staples, more accurately called composite fasteners, contain no metal at all. Raptor makes them from a polymer composite, and Omer makes the pneumatic tools that drive them. Once they're in, you can saw, sand and plane straight through them, and they never rust or corrode.
This guide covers where composite fasteners make sense, which Raptor nail or staple fits your work, the Omer tool that drives it, and how ButtonKaps handle cap fastening for housewrap.
What are plastic nails and staples?
Raptor composite nails and staples drive from a pneumatic tool like a steel fastener and stay in the work like one, but they are completely non-metal. Raptor's own description for its staples sums up the reason to use them: they're for applications where metal fasteners can't be used, or where safety is a concern.
Every Raptor nail listing names the same benefits:
- Sawable, sandable and planeable. Trim, cut or machine the piece after it's fastened.
- Never rusts or corrodes. That suits outdoor and wet work like siding, fencing and boatbuilding.
- Bonds like glue. Raptor's description of how the fastener sets in the work.
- Completely non-metal. That's why CNC cutting is on Raptor's list of applications.
- No need to putty. Listed as a benefit on every Raptor nail.
Raptor lists these applications across its nail lineup: CNC cutting, cellular PVC trim, doors, windows, cabinets, furniture, siding, fencing, furring, strapping, boatbuilding, casket manufacturing and general woodworking.
Composite nails vs. plastic-collated and plastic cap nails
"Plastic nails" gets used for three different products, and only one of them is plastic all the way through.
| Product | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Composite nails (Raptor) | The whole nail is a polymer composite. No metal. | CNC work, PVC trim, cabinets, furniture, siding, fencing, boatbuilding |
| Plastic-collated nails | Steel nails held together in a strip by a plastic band | Framing nailers |
| Plastic cap nails | Steel nails with a wide plastic washer under the head | Roofing underlayment and housewrap |
If you came here looking for cap fasteners, skip ahead to ButtonKaps.
18 gauge: Raptor B/18 brad nails
The Raptor B/18 composite brad nail is the most common starting point. It comes in 7/16", 5/8", 3/4" and 1" lengths, 2,000 nails per box and 32 boxes per case.
B/18 brads drive from the Omer 12P.25H brad nailer, which handles the full 7/16" to 1" range. It weighs 2.29 lb, holds 100 brads, runs at 70 to 105 psi, and has a narrow nose for corners and tight spots. It also won't fire on an empty magazine.
For trim where even a brad head is too much, the Omer RI.25P headless pinner fires Raptor P/18 18 gauge headless pins from 7/16" to 1". The driven pin is close to invisible and doesn't need putty. For the smallest decorative trim, the Omer R14.25P fires Raptor P/16 16 gauge pins from 7/16" to 3/4". P/18 and P/16 pins aren't in the online store yet, so call us for availability.
Finish nails for the Omer 17 series: Raptor F/15
The Raptor F/15 composite finish nail covers longer work, in lengths from 1/2" to 2". It comes 2,350 nails per box and 16 boxes per case. Raptor lists it for CNC cutting, cellular PVC trim, doors, windows, cabinets, furniture, boatbuilding, casket manufacturing and woodworking.
Two Omer 17-series nailers drive F/15 nails, and the difference is length:
- Omer B17P.763 drives 1/2" to 2-1/4", so it takes every F/15 length. It's Raptor's premium production tool and the most versatile in the line: magnesium body, 85-nail magazine, rubber no-mar tip, depth-of-drive adjustment, a quick-release nose plate for clearing jams, and a choice of sequential or bump fire. It weighs 3.74 lb.
- Omer 17P.32 drives 1/2" to 1-1/4". It's lighter at 2.93 lb and costs less, with a magnesium body, 60-nail magazine, 360° adjustable exhaust, bump or single fire, and depth-of-drive adjustment. It won't accept the longer F/15 nails.
If any of your work calls for F/15 nails over 1-1/4", buy the B17P.763. If you only shoot 1-1/4" and under, the 17P.32 does the job for less.
Coil and bulk composite nails
For siding, fencing, furring and strapping, Raptor makes heavier nails in 5 penny (1-5/8") and 8 penny (2-1/4") sizes:
- Raptor composite coil nails come 200 nails per coil and 3,200 per box, for the Omer CN25.50, Max CN565S2 and Bostitch N66C-1 coil nailers.
- Raptor bulk composite nails are loose nails for hammers and palm nailers, 1,000 per box and 12 boxes per case.
Raptor composite staples
Raptor staples come in three families, and each one only fits its own tools:
- S/05, 19 gauge: S/05-25, S/05-37 and S/05-55, 5,040 staples per box. Omer 81P series staplers drive them from 1/4" to 9/16".
- SH/05, 16 gauge, 1/2" crown: SH/05-37 and SH/05-55. Raptor approves only the Omer 82P series staple guns for SH/05.
- SH/04, 16 gauge, 7/16" crown: SH/04-40 and SH/04-58, for the Omer 83P series. SH/04 is also the staple the RC-SH/04 Eco drives through EcoKaps.
Which tool drives which Raptor fastener
Each Raptor fastener is matched to specific tools, and Raptor staples must be driven with tools designed for composite staples. Use this table to match the two before you order.
| Raptor fastener | Type | Lengths | Compatible tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| B/18 | 18 ga brad nail | 7/16" to 1" | Omer 12P.25H |
| P/18 | 18 ga headless pin | 7/16" to 1" | Omer RI.25P |
| P/16 | 16 ga headless pin | 7/16" to 3/4" | Omer R14.25P |
| F/15 | Finish nail | 1/2" to 2" | Omer B17P.763 (all lengths), Omer 17P.32 (up to 1‑1/4") |
| Coil nails | 5d and 8d coil | 1‑5/8" and 2‑1/4" | Omer CN25.50, Max CN565S2, Bostitch N66C-1 |
| Bulk nails | 5d and 8d loose | 1‑5/8" and 2‑1/4" | Hammer or palm nailer |
| S/05 | 19 ga staple | S/05-25, -37, -55 | Omer 81P series, G-3PS hammer tacker (-25, -37), CT-6000P (-37) |
| SH/05 | 16 ga, 1/2" crown | SH/05-37, -55 | Omer 82P series, CT-H7000P, G-3PS (-37) |
| SH/04 | 16 ga, 7/16" crown | SH/04-40, -58 | Omer 83P series, CT-H7000P, RC-SH/04 |
Holding power: shorter is better
Raptor's guidance is that composite fasteners reach their maximum holding power at shorter lengths than metal fasteners. Don't size up out of habit when you switch from steel. If you're not sure which length fits your material, call us before you buy a case.
Cap fastening for housewrap: ButtonKaps
Cap fasteners do a different job. A wide cap spreads the load so thin sheet goods like housewrap and underlayment don't tear around the fastener.
The ButtonKap AS58112 KapStapler drives ButtonKaps and 18 gauge, medium 3/8" crown staples from 5/8" to 1-1/2" at the same time, which saves time and labor. It's a lightweight, balanced in-line stapler with hardened wear pads, a sequential or bump fire trigger, and adjustable drive depth. Those are standard 18 gauge staples, so the KapStapler pairs with ButtonKaps and isn't a Raptor composite tool.
If you already have a fastening tool, ButtonKap PG 78242 round caps come on their own: 2,400 caps on 10 reels of 240, for installing with your own nails or staples.
EcoKaps are where cap fastening and Raptor meet. The RC-SH/04 Eco pneumatic cap stapler drives Raptor SH/04 composite staples through a paperboard EcoKap in one step, to hold thin layers of fabric, paper, plastic wrap or woven wrap. The cap gives strain relief so the staple won't rip through in wind. EcoKaps are made from 100% recycled, FSC-certified paperboard that can go through pulp processing with other mill byproducts, and the all-in-one tool keeps your hands away from the nose, unlike stapling square paper tabs by hand. Call us about the RC-SH/04 Eco stapler.
Frequently asked questions
Do plastic nails hold as well as steel nails?
They hold differently. Raptor's guidance is that composite fasteners reach their maximum holding power at shorter lengths than metal fasteners, and Raptor says they bond like glue. Raptor lists applications like cellular PVC trim, doors, windows, cabinets, furniture, siding, fencing, furring and strapping. Structural framing is not on that list, so use steel there.
Can I shoot Raptor nails or staples from a regular nail gun?
Use a tool listed for that fastener. Raptor staples must be driven with tools designed for composite staples, and Raptor brads, pins and finish nails are matched to specific Omer nailers. Raptor coil nails are the exception: besides the Omer CN25.50, they are listed for the Max CN565S2 and Bostitch N66C-1 coil nailers. The compatibility table in this guide covers every Raptor fastener.
Do Raptor composite nails rust?
No. Raptor nails and staples are completely non-metal, so they never rust or corrode.
Can you sand or cut through plastic nails?
Yes. Raptor composite nails are sawable, sandable and planeable, which is why CNC cutting is one of their listed applications.
Do I need to putty over composite nails?
Raptor lists no need to putty as a benefit of its composite nails. The Omer RI.25P and R14.25P headless pinners leave pins that are close to invisible.
What is the difference between plastic cap nails and composite nails?
Plastic cap nails are steel nails with a wide plastic washer under the head, used to hold roofing underlayment and housewrap. Composite nails like Raptor contain no metal at all.
What do I need to install ButtonKaps?
The ButtonKap AS58112 KapStapler drives ButtonKaps and 18 gauge, medium 3/8 inch crown staples from 5/8 inch to 1-1/2 inch in one step. ButtonKap PG 78242 round caps are also sold on their own, for installing with your own nails or staples.
Find the right composite fastener
Start with the work. For trim and finish work, that's B/18 brads or F/15 finish nails and the Omer tool that drives them. For siding and fencing, coil or bulk nails. For housewrap, a KapStapler and ButtonKaps. You can also browse everything Raptor, or contact us and we'll help you match the fastener to the tool.