The GBC MC12 has been one
of the most popular manual twin loop wire closers on the market for
years. In fact, you will find more MC-12 wire closers in copy shops,
print shops, professional binderies and large corporations than any
other model of wire closing equipment.With this in mind, the MC12 is an ideal companion to any interchangeable die binding punch or automated punching system.
Overview:
The GBC MC12 has been one
of the most popular manual twin loop wire closers on the market for
years. In fact, you will find more MC-12 wire closers in copy shops,
print shops, professional binderies and large corporations than any
other model of wire closing equipment.
This heavy duty metal
machine is designed to close "C" shaped wire-o, double loop, spiral-o,
twin loop, double-o and WireBind spines into finished round binding
spines.
With this in mind, the MC12 is an ideal companion to any interchangeable die binding punch or automated punching system.
Strengths / Features:
The
MC-12 is made completely of heavy duty steel components. This
industrial grade construction is designed to ensure that this device
can close thousands upon thousands of wires without ever having to
worry about the machine breaking. In fact, even the heaviest users of
wire binding will find that it is virtually impossible to wear out this
machine.
This machine uses two ultra strong metal adjustment
knobs to set the closing distance of the unit. The dual knobs allow you
to not only adjust the MC12 to the correct size for your wire but also
to adjust for wire wires that need to be closed more on one side of the
book than the other.
This machine is fully adjustable for
closing all of the different sizes of wire that are available on the
market. It works with smaller sized 3:1 pitch wire spines and with
larger 2:1 pitch double loop wires. It can even be used with 19 loop
spiral-o wire binding spines. This closer can even be adjusted to close
the smallest 3/16" wires and the largest 1-1/2" wires that many other
closers cannot handle.
The MC-12 uses an ergonomic and
convenient punching handle that is easy to use for both left and right
handed individuals. The handle is not only strong but is also smooth
and makes this closer easy to operate.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
This
wire closer is only twelve inches in length. This is ideal for closing
letter size, A4 and smaller sized books. However, the GBC MC-12 is not
compatible with legal sized documents or other larger sheet sizes. Some
wire closers have an open throat design that allows users to close
longer books in multiple steps. However, the MC12's handle and hinges
prevent this machine from being used in this way.
Although
the MC-12 is durable and easy to use, it is still a manual wire closer.
You have to insert your pages onto the wire and carefully place them
into the throat of the machine all without allowing the pages to fall
off. This can be pretty tricky and can take some time. Larger electric
wire closers help to automate this process and provide added
productivity. For instance, the TL2900 allows you to hang your pages
onto the wires in place without the need to transfer the document for
closing. This is significantly faster than using a manual wire closer.
However, it is also significantly more expensive.
Recommendation:
Any
organization that owns an interchangeable die modular binding punch and
wants to bind documents with twin loop wire should consider the MC-12.
This
machine has long been the most popular option used by printers,
binderies and professional users for wire binding. This is no accident.
The
MC12 is easy to use, strong, durable and is reasonably priced. It is
even reasonably fast. However, users who are looking for an even faster
wire binding method may want to consider an electric wire closer such
as the GBC TL-2900.
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.