Coil binding can make any document look great
and there are some terrific machines that can help you out. If you do not have a coil binding machine, there are five features you should look
for when looking for your device. Here they are:
Coil binding can make any document look great
and there are some terrific machines that can help you out. If you
don't have a coil binding machine, there are five features you should
look for when looking for your device. Here they are:
A good punching capacity.
You're going to need a machine that can help you prepare your documents
as quickly as possible. Thus, choose a device that can punch a good
amount of pages at once. Some coil binding machines can punch as many as
30 sheets at a time. Imagine how quickly you'll be able to finish the
job with that kind of punching capacity.
Disengageable dies. Most
coil binding machines will work with letter-sized paper. That's fine if
you just want to work with paper that's 8.5" x 11" but if you want to
user different sizes of paper you'll need a machine with disengageable
dies. These devices tend to cost a bit more but it can be worth it since
your books can be as large or as small as you want.
An electric punching mechanism and an electric coil inserter. If
you're planning on binding a lot of documents, choosing a manual device
isn't the best idea. You'll end up getting tired and sore from using
the machine, and could possibly develop a repetitive stress injury.
Thus, go for a machine with an electric punching mechanism and an
electric coil inserter. It will make your job a lot easier and help you
save time. It will be a win-win situation.
Crimping pliers.
In order to finish off your documents, you're going to need to use a
pair of crimping pliers. These look like a regular pair of pliers but
you use them to trim the ends of your coil and then turn them in. This
is one of the most important parts of the binding process. If you skip
this step, your documents will fall apart and you'll have to rebind
them. You can buy crimping pliers on their own but they can be expensive
- don't be surprised if you find them priced at $30.00 or more.
However, some coil binding machines do come with a pair of crimping
pliers, so seek them out. It will save you money and ensure you have
everything you need to successfully bind your work.
Construction.
Finally, you should choose a machine that's durable. That said, a
device that features mostly plastic parts isn't going to last long.
Sure, you'll save a bit of money when purchasing your device, but you'll
eventually need to replace it. Therefore, you should go for a machine
that has metal parts so you can get a lot of use out of it. Also, make
sure the device you choose comes with a good warranty. A good warranty
will last for a year or more.
Those
are the five features to look for when choosing a coil binding machine.
Looking for these features will ensure that you end up with a durable
device that's easy to use and will help you produce great-looking
documents. Good luck with your search and happy binding!
Jeff McRitchie is the Vice-President of Marketing for MyBinding.com.
He regularly writes articles, reviews, and blog posts on topics related
to bookbinding, laminating, paper shredding, and office equipment. More
than 2,500 of his reviews have been published in thousands of locations
on the Internet. If you're looking for information about coil binding machines, his articles are a great place to start.
