Plastic comb binding machines can be expensive, so when buying one, you want to be sure you select the machine that has the best features for the lowest price. One machine that s affordable and is packed with first rate features is the brand new Akiles AlphaBind CM. This is a system that won t cost you too much but it has a lot of the most popular features a comb binding machine can have. Here s a breakdown of the machine s strengths, as well as an honest look at its shortcomings.
Strengths:
* This device is capable of punching and binding letter sized documents (8.5 x 11 ). It has a 12 inch throat that is open so you can bind other sizes of documents, if necessary.
* This device can work with binding combs that are up to 2 inches in diameter making it capable of binding both thin and thick booklets.
* The punching mechanism on this device is really impressive: it can punch up to 25 sheets of regular bond paper per lift. With this kind of punching capacity, you will be able to finish your work a lot faster.
* The CM has one of the most sought after features a comb binding machine can have: disengageable dies. As previously noted, this device has an open throat so that combined with the fully disengageable punching pins, it is possible for you to punch and bind professional looking documents with virtually any length of binding edge.
* The adjustable depth of punch control is another popular feature and the CM has that one as well. This feature ensures that the punched holes are the correct distance from the edge of the paper. This feature comes in really handy when binding extremely small or extremely large documents.
* The CM is made entirely out of metal so it can stand up to heavy duty punching and binding. It has a rather roomy chip tray that won t need to be emptied very often.
* Akiles designed this product to be a smaller, lower cost version of their Megabind machines. It s great that a company would design a product with the goal of saving customers money. This CM goes for about $420.00 so it s a very affordable product.
Weaknesses:
* Although all metal construction is a wonderful feature to have in a binding device, it does make the CM rather heavy. It weighs over 40 pounds so it is a little bit difficult to transport.
* Also, the CM is rather industrial looking due to its construction. It s not ugly but it s not really that attractive either.
* This device lacks a U shaped handle, which is not only ergonomically friendly, it enables left handed users to use this particular unit more easily.
* The CM is a manual device. If you need an electric machine with the same capabilities as the CM, you should look at the Akiles AlphaBind CE, which is electric.
* This system has a twelve inch punching throat. If you are going to need to bind very many legal sized documents you will probably want to consider stepping up to the Megabind series of machines. However, this system should be more than adequate for binding letter size, half size and A4 sized documents.
The Akiles AlphaBind CM is a great product to get if you need a heavy duty comb binding machine with high end features such as disengageable dies. The price is just right and the device is so well built, you will be able to punch and bind with it for years.
Author Resource:
Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for http://www.mybinding.com .He has written over 500 articles on binding machines,binding covers,binders,laminators,binding supplies,laminating supplies,paper handling equipments,index tabs, and shredders.
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