The GBC C800pro has been around for decades. It
used to be called the Ibico EPK21 and is one of the most popular
electric desktop comb binding machines available on the market. The CombBind C800 pro has a heavy duty electric
punch that can punch up to 25 sheets of paper at one time. The punch is
operated by a convenient and easy to use foot pedal switch. The foot
pedal helps to increase productivity by allowing users to hold the
pages they are punching with both hands.
Overview:
The
GBC C800pro has been around for decades. It used to be called the Ibico
EPK21 and is one of the most popular electric desktop comb binding
machines available on the market.
The CombBind C800pro is an all in one combination binding
system with an integrated electric punch, disengageable dies and a
heavy duty manual comb opener.
This machine is produced by GBC (General Binding
Corporation) who is the largest and most respected manufacturer of comb
binding machines in the world.
Features / Strengths
The
CombBind C800 pro has a heavy duty electric punch that can punch up to
25 sheets of paper at one time. The punch is operated by a convenient
and easy to use foot pedal switch. The foot pedal helps to increase
productivity by allowing users to hold the pages they are punching with
both hands.
This machine offers a heavy duty manual comb opener that
is capable of opening both round and oval shaped comb binding spines.
The opener offers heavy duty metal fingers and is operated by a single
handle located on the left side of the machine. Unlike many other comb
binding machines, the handle on this machine is operated by pulling the
handle forward (not pushing it backwards). This allows the C800pro to
be placed against a wall.
The machine also has fully disengageable dies and an open
throat design. Although the throat of the machine is only 12 inches in
width, the disengageable pins allow you to punch virtually any length
of document.
There is a convenient document sizing chart on the front
of the machine to help you determine the appropriate size of combs for
your document. You simply slide your book into the sizing guide and it
will tell you the size of comb that you will need.
There is a depth of punch margin control on the side of
the machine that allows the user to adjust the distance of the holes
from the edge of the document. This is an important feature for binding
documents that are very thin or very thick.
The machine is constructed of heavy duty steel and is
incredibly durable. In fact many of these machines are still in use
after decades.
Limitations / Weaknesses:
Although
the C800 has a 12 inch open punching throat, it is not an ideal choice
for organizations that do a lot of legal length binding. Fourteen inch
documents will require a two step punching process that is time
consuming. Additionally, the comb opener on this machine is not long
enough to open and close 24 ring legal size combs. This means that you
will need to manually insert the last 2-3 rings on each legal length
book that you plan on binding.
Although the C800pro is extremely durable, the cost to
repair the motor on this machine can be astronomical. In the event that
the motor dies after the 1 year warranty period it will cost over $1000
to repair. Most users end up buying a new machine if this occurs. For
this reason, it is a good idea to consider an extended warranty on this
unit.
The foot pedal used by this machine to activate the
punching mechanism is convenient for long runs and increased punching
productivity. However, the pedal is constructed out of plastic and
should be treated gently. It would also be nice if the C800 Pro
included a push button punching mechanism for short runs and occasional
use.
Although this machine can punch up to 25 sheets of 20lb
paper at a time it should only be used to punch 1-2 plastic binding
covers at a time. Punching more plastic sheets at a time can wear out
the punching pins and shorten the life of the motor. This is a
limitation shared by virtually all electric binding punches.
Recommendation:
The C800pro is an excellent choice for schools, offices, mail rooms and medium duty production environments.
The machine is extremely well built, comes with a 1 year
warranty and is backed by the largest manufacturer of binding equipment
in the world.
However, this machine is not a good choice for users that
need to do a lot of legal length binding or for heavy production
environments. These types of users would be better served by looking at
a modular binding punch and a stand alone plastic comb opener.
This review was written by Jeff McRitchie who is the director of marketing for Mybinding.com.
Jeff has written more than three hundred articles and more than two
hundred reviews on Binding Machines, Binding Supplies, Report Covers,
3-Ring Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Supplies, Paper
Shredders and Paper Handling Equipment.
