Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Stapler of the Week Archive - Swingline "Tot 50"



Swingline "Tot 50", red plastic and corroded chrome metal
I have gotten a few replies regarding how the stapler of the week was their family stapler. The Swingline "Tot 50" was my family stapler. I don't recall it being used for anything except perhaps for the family taxes. My family can confirm or deny this but for the most part, the "Tot 50" just took up space. The pictured stapler is not the family stapler, but rather one I received as part of a large lot of staplers. Like other staplers, the "Tot 50", has been redesigned and remarketed. One of my co-workers showed me his little orange stapler and I didn't know what to make of it. It was the new "Tot 50" and I had no idea. There's a variety of colors, the optional built in staple remover or the version with a magnet to stick it to your locker, etc. It fits anywhere but as a result is fairly insubstantial and yet, it still holds a place in my heart.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, March 29, 2007.
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26 comments:

  1. AnonymousApril 15, 2008 at 1:03 PM

    Do you know where I could get staples for the Swingline Tot 50? My father is in his eighties and still uses it, but cannot find staples. Are there newer staples that will fit?

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  2. David BroadApril 30, 2008 at 1:15 PM

    Swingline is now owned by ACCO Brands. The product you want is code #79120 It includes the new Swingline Tot 50 stapler and 1000 staples (#10) that are the same as the original Tot staples. The stapler itself is a little shorter, but quite reminiscent of the original.

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  3. AnonymousAugust 12, 2008 at 11:34 AM

    Hi I have the original Swingline "Tot 50" with 1000 original staples. Do who know what is the price of these objects?

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  4. AnonymousOctober 23, 2008 at 4:39 AM

    I love this little thing! Got in in my Xmas stocking years ago! My brother & I fight over whose is whose since we each have one. I got a new "TOT" stapler in order to have staples to fill up the old one, but they're too big!!! What am I to do?!? This is the only stapler with staples small enough to hold together just a few receipts or other thing papers!

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  5. UnknownNovember 15, 2008 at 5:49 PM

    I've had the blue one for years in one of the slots on the side of my desk's keyboard tray, it's the only stapler small enough to fit in there. I cannot find staples at the pharmacy anymore, but you can buy them online from eBay, just search for "Tot 50 staples" and make sure it says "mini" stapes and displays the picture of the famous little black, red and white box.

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  6. AnonymousDecember 26, 2008 at 7:52 PM

    I have a Swingline "Tot 50" stapler exactly like the one pictured. Mine is about 26 years old and is still in perfect working order. I was in search of staples to fit it as I was unable to find any at the local office supply store. Thank you for the tips.

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  7. UnknownMay 27, 2009 at 1:49 PM

    http://www.abcstuff.com/cgi/Web_store/web_store.cgi/item=OP018




    found the mini staples at the above website- boxes of 1,000!

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  8. AnonymousAugust 27, 2009 at 5:03 AM

    If you live in Phoenix you can buy them at "The Stockroom" on 7th Street North of Bethany Home Road. As of August 09, they cost $2.09 for 1000. This way you don't have to pay shipping.

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  9. AnonymousOctober 22, 2009 at 12:49 AM

    I've had two Tot 50s for 25 years and love them. Does anyone know if the new version and the staples are made in the USA? I'd buy a 3rd one if they are because mine still work perfectly, but I'd like another for the kitchen. I bought a small Swingline stapler about a year ago and it's made in China and it does not work very well. I'd throw it away if I could get the real thing.

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 28, 2010 at 3:27 AM

    I also am the proud owner of a red "Swingline Tot 50" stapler. I believe that I purchased it during my college years, probably about 1970. It has been going strong ever since. I love that I can throw it into a purse or bookbag and staple on the go if I need to. It is very small, handy and always works beautifully. I'm online tonight in search of staples for it. I've been all over town looking. So glad I found you all . . .

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  11. AnonymousMay 31, 2010 at 5:23 PM

    I ordered the TOT 50 staples from abcstuff.com per "Sue"'s link. Excellent service and I have my old stapler (that I have had for like, a million years!) back in action. Nothing beats a TOT Stapler!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMay 4, 2011 at 4:27 PM

    I bought 3 boxes of staples for my red Tot 50 Swingline stapler May of 2011 - (actually I own 2 of them that I have used for over 30 years - and are still like new) from an address I got on this web site. Resources for Reading, 130 East Grand Ave, South San Francisco, CA 94080. http://www.abcstuff.com/download.php The shipping cost more than the staples, but what the heck. Thanks to the webmaster of this site. I had looked everywhere without success for new staples.

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  13. AnonymousMay 9, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    Hi, I got my Swingline "Tot 50" stapler in 1970. Still working after 41 years. Thank you for the information about staple refills!

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  14. sigiDecember 20, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    I own two Tot 50 staplers, the original classic and the new re-issued version. Until recently I was able to buy mini staples through some office supply stores on-line. But it's getting more difficult all the time to find those mini staples. Thanks for the new information. I'll check on this supplier. I'm almost out of staples. There on Ebay plus Amazon has some, but I'm hesitant to buy a generic brand in large quantities.

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  15. JeffJuly 14, 2012 at 12:05 AM

    I have a few of these staplers. I got my first one years ago at an "antique" store. It came in a soft plastic case with a box of staples. I just today purchased one that is in a hard plastic case, blue and clear plastic.

    I did a little research and found that it is 1956 or older, as it is made by Speed Products Co Inc. It says that name on the bottom of the stapler as well as on the plastic case, but the top of the stapler says Swingline Tot 50. The company changed its name to Swingline in 1956.

    Now all I need is the super small box that the staples came in (that fits in the plastic case), as it is a smaller box than any I now have.

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousAugust 10, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    I love my little Tot 50 -- I'm sure it's been over 50 years since I got it when I was a kid. It still works just as good as ever, and my husband just sent off and got me 5000 staples for it. I'm set for another 50 years!

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  17. Bluejay YoungDecember 7, 2012 at 10:30 AM

    My mother used to put one in my Christmas stocking every few years starting in the early 1960s. I still have the last one she gave me. It still works, too.

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  18. AnonymousMay 13, 2013 at 9:52 PM

    Wth are people freaking about staplers "i fought with my brother on who got to use it" :/

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  19. AnonymousJuly 30, 2013 at 6:31 PM

    Bought my Tot 50 stapler in the 1970's and it is still the best! Found the staples. They are now sold as No. 10 mini staples - either the BAZIC or Lion City brands. Found mine at Cash & Carry in Culver City, CA. The cost is $.98 or $.99. Huh, I just realized my keyboard doesn't have the cents symbol. When did that become obsolete????

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  20. Dan WilkensJanuary 25, 2014 at 4:43 PM

    Someone donated a bunch of old office supplies to my workplace. A lot of the stuff was in pristine condition, as if whoever dropped it off had been an avid office supplies collector. I grabbed the "Tot 50" Swingline exactly like the one in this blog post--still in near-mint condition. I just wanted a pocket stapler and this one seems much more elegant than what passes for it's modern equivalent. So it has a place of honor on my desk.

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  21. Timmy BSeptember 1, 2014 at 12:49 PM

    About 2-3 years ago I found a mint condition Swingline "DeLuxe" Tot stapler in a brown vinyl pouch with a next to full box of staples as well. The stapler itself is tan swirled plastic, and the lettering is silver. The company name on the box of staples is Speed Products Co., Inc. Long Island City 1, NY. I bought it for $1.00 at an estate sale. I absolutely love it!

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  22. PeterMarch 9, 2015 at 5:20 PM

    The July 30, 2013 posting, by Anonymous, identified No. 10 staples as what are needed for a Tot 50 stapler. Today I found that our neighborhood Staples store here in Toronto sells boxes of No. 10 staples. The box doesn't explain what they're for, but it clearly identifies them as No. 10 staples. I didn't happen to buy them, but the box size sure looks right. And buying staples at Staples seems appropriate. :-)

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  23. AnonymousDecember 29, 2015 at 5:44 PM

    And just where would it still be possible to find one of these little red staplers, or one of it's relatives?? I've been looking for one of them for a long time and can't find them anywhere ... the staples don't do me any good if I can't find the stapler itself ... Thanks ... Gary

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  24. Bob CopperstoneSeptember 4, 2017 at 2:50 PM

    I just put 8 boxes (12,000 count) for sale on eBay. (No. 302440234221). Hope someone can use them. I've got $11.99 for all 8 boxes. My eBay name is wahoobeecee. -- Bob Copperstone

    ReplyDelete
  25. UnknownSeptember 4, 2017 at 2:51 PM

    I just put 8 boxes (12,000 count) for sale on eBay. (No. 302440234221). Hope someone can use them. I've got $11.99 for all 8 boxes. My eBay name is wahoobeecee. -- Bob Copperstone

    ReplyDelete
  26. UnknownNovember 11, 2017 at 9:41 PM

    Staples for TOT 50 Stapler are made by Staplex Cmpany in Brooklyn, N.Y. I bought some wholesale and they work great. Known as #10 Type VF-1-1M

    www.staplexcom

    ReplyDelete