Swingline 747 Stapler: Permanent & Temporary Fastening

Staple a receipt to a form, then discover you need to separate them, and a small filing job turns into picking metal out of paper. The Swingline 747 has a useful detail for that situation: its base plate rotates to make a temporary pin instead of the usual inward-folded staple. The Rio Red finish gets your attention; that second fastening option is the feature worth understanding.

Choose whether the papers need to come apart

In ordinary stapling, the small plate beneath the paper bends the staple legs inward. Rotate that plate, called the anvil, to use the 747's pinning setting. The legs turn outward for a less permanent fastening. It suits a short packet you need to keep together while checking it, then take apart before filing the final version.

Try the setting on spare paper first so you recognize the result. Temporary pinning is not the same as leaving a packet loose, and it is not a guarantee of damage-free removal. A paper clip remains the better choice when pages must stay completely unpunctured or will be rearranged repeatedly. Keep fingers clear of the stapling area and handle exposed staple ends carefully.

The 747 also opens for tacking papers to a suitable bulletin board. Swingline describes releasing a button latch for this position. That gives occasional notices a second use for a tool already on the desk, but does not turn it into an upholstery or construction stapler.

Match the refill to the packet

Swingline rates the current Rio Red model for up to 30 sheets of 20-pound paper when used with its S.F. 4 Premium Staples. Both conditions matter. Thirty sheets of heavier paper or a packet with thick card covers is a different job; choose a suitable higher-capacity fastening method rather than forcing the handle down.

The magazine takes a full strip of 210 staples, with a specified quarter-inch leg length. Keep the compatible refill box beside your paper supplies so reloading does not begin with searching through assorted staples. The selected listing also describes a low-staple indicator, useful for checking supplies before assembling several packets.

A larger magazine reduces how often you reload, not how many sheets you can staple at once. For a few forms, receipts, or handouts, this capacity is straightforward. For a stack of repeated batches, think about the effort of pressing a manual stapler throughout the job; an appropriate reduced-effort or electric model may suit that workload better.

Give it a place on the desk

The 747 is a full-size desktop stapler with metal construction and a die-cast base. That makes a permanent spot beside a printer or filing tray a more natural role than carrying it around for the occasional two-page handout. Clear enough space to bring the paper in squarely instead of working around a keyboard or a pile of envelopes.

The red finish is useful if you enjoy keeping everyday tools in view. In a shared workspace, giving it a labeled home can be more helpful than relying on a bright color to stop it wandering. The setting in the second photograph illustrates that idea; the surrounding accessories are separate items.

A compact stapler makes more sense for a pencil case. A long-reach model deserves attention for booklet-making, where reaching the fold matters more than the size of the staple magazine.

Price the workhorse, not just the red finish

Match the Rio Red 747, model 74736, and one-stapler quantity when comparing listings. Check whether compatible staples are included; a photographed staple strip or an accessory recommendation does not establish the contents of the offer you selected. Add any refill box you need before comparing the delivered total.

Swingline describes its mechanism as jam-resistant and lists a limited lifetime warranty. Neither is a reason to treat every jam or wear problem as impossible. Keep the purchase record and check the applicable warranty terms rather than reading a long warranty as unlimited replacement coverage.

Choose the 747 when temporary pinning, full-strip refills, and a dedicated desk tool fit your paperwork. If a basic stapler already handles your packets and you never use the extra settings, red paint alone is a preference, not a productivity upgrade.