Our company has been using this
Fellowes Manual Electric Comb Binding Machine -- Model # PB 2650E for about 2 years.
Description
This Fellowes binding machine requires a dedicated work space. It measures 17.875” wide x 17” deep x 7.652” high. It’s a heavy duty piece of equipment that needs to be set up on a sturdy table. This is a comb binding machine, meaning that it punches paper (and plastic covers) with holes, and then a plastic comb is inserted to hold the punched materials together, like a book.
It comes with a foot pedal so that one can operate the hole-punch function of the machine with the press of a foot instead of using the manual button. This binding machine also has a slide-out easy-to-remove tray that the punches fall into.
A slim four-page instruction “booklet” comes with the machine. Despite being small, the information covers set up of the machine as well as how it operates. There are many illustrations, too. A toll-free telephone number is prominently displayed in case additional help is needed. The back page of the manual includes Help Line numbers for the United States, Canada, Mexico and Australia.
This machine is rated for heavy use and daily use. It can punch up to 30 20-pound paper sheets at a time and accommodate between a 1/4” and a 2” plastic comb (500 sheets of paper fit in a 2” comb). The instructions include a chart of comb diameter sizes (mm and inches), page quantities, and the margin depth adjustment needed. The punch dies can be released and reset, and this machine can do a 3-hole punch.
Our Experiences
Our old binding machine was ancient, and all manually driven. It tended to jam … and one could hear the aggravated muttering from quite a distance.
We bind manuals to accompany our product and also produce reports and documents for meetings. Our wish list for a binding machine was one that was more automated, a machine that was reasonably priced, a machine that would hopefully not jam, and one that could handle a medium work load. Our wish was granted with this Fellows Comb Binding Machine.
Assembly was easy. Pull the machine out of the box, and place it on a sturdy work surface. Plug the machine into a power outlet. Then plug the cable of the foot pedal into the machine. Ta Da! The machine is ready to use. Just press the power switch on the back of the machine.
We have been using this binding machine for two years with success. Even someone new to using the machine quickly learns how to operate it. This machine is easy to use. It only took one demonstration for me to step right in and help bind documents for a meeting.
There are several options to choose before using the machine. If you prefer looking at instructions, the booklet provides an illustration for each step. Select the comb diameter and margin depth, insert the plastic comb into the machine and pull the lever to open it. There is an adjustment for document size, and an optional setting for the brake (to automatically set the comb to the same opening width … this comes in handy for large jobs).
We typically punch 20-pound copy paper, and prepare documents up to 85 pages. The machine has the capacity to bind up to 500 sheets in a 2” comb. Our projects also have a plastic cover at the front and back. Using this binding machine, the two covers are hole-punched first. Then the document is punched, but no more than 30 sheets can be hole-punched at one time. As the sheets are punched, they are manually slipped into place on the comb. Once the front cover, document pages, and the back cover are in position on the plastic comb … the lever is pushed back to close the comb, locking the material into place.
I like the foot pedal feature! If you have ever used a modern sewing machine, the foot pedal works in a similar fashion. This way I can use my foot to activate the hole-punch mechanism, while keeping both hands on the paper and covers. I have much more control over the materials this way. In case you are wondering about the noise level, the foot pedal gives a gentle “rumble” when the machine is in operation.
If I had to pick one thing to complain about it is that sometimes working with larger documents can become a wrestling match. Since the machine punches up to 30 sheets at a time, larger documents require that I keep adding pages to the plastic comb. The first set of 30 sheets slides into place with no trouble, but I find additional batches are sometimes a bit tricky to slide onto all the comb teeth. Other people have found this to be true, too.
Another consideration is that this machine only hole-punches a few plastic covers at one time. If you run a heavy-volume business, this might be limiting for you.
Other than that, this machine is a gem. It does not jam, the holes punch well, and the machine is easy to operate. The bin that the hole-punches fall into is a good size, too, and easy to remove for emptying. Note: This machine is not designed to punch through staples.
Purchasing
We bought this Fellowes Comb Binding Machine from
StaplesLink.com for $652.77.
Summary
The
Fellowes Manual Electric Comb Binding Machine -- Model # PB 2650E is an excellent addition to our office. Everyone who has used it comments on the ease of operation. Compared to our old machine, we definitely see an increase in productivity.
I hope you found this review useful.
Enjoy the day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com
Please read my other reviews:
GBC Black Binding Combs – 1/2” diameter
GBC Black Binding Combs – 3/8” diameter
GBC Blue Binding Combs – 5/16” diameter
GBC Standard Clear Binding Cover
Swingline Portable Electric Stapler
Swingline 3-Hole Electric Paper Punch
Copyright 2008 Dawn L. Stewart
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