The Rhino Tuff HD7700 is one of the largest and most durable binding punches available on the market. This punch is specifically designed for high volume users such as binderies, printers, copy shops, in-plant print shops and large organizations.
The HD7700 offers the ability to quickly change punching patterns by simply sliding out one die and sliding in the new one.
This machine is known for its rugged industrial construction and is designed for high volume production environments where productivity is essential. In fact, it offers the largest punching capacity of any modular binding punch.
On top of all of that, the HD7700 offers a number of features that are simply not offered on many other modular binding systems.
Strengths / Features:
One of the big strengths of the HD7700 is the huge punching capacity that it offers. Although Rhin-O-Tuff doesn't publish exact punching capacities for all of the different hole-patterns, they state that it can punch an average of 45 sheets of paper across all punching patterns. Depending on the hole pattern that you are using this number will vary quite a bit. Some hole patterns such as Velobind and 3-hole will be able to handle as many as 55 sheets of paper. However, coil binding which has a large number of holes that are close together will probably only be able to handle 40 sheets. Even so, these punching capacities are impressive.
Most organizations that buy a machine like this are looking for the ability to change punching patterns quickly and easily. The Rhin-O-Tuff HD7700 uses a patented die lock system to hold the dies in place. All you need to do in order to change punching patterns is to release the two die lock levers and slide the die out of the machine. You can then slide the new dieset into the machine and lock it in place. Rhin-O-Tuff makes twelve standard dies and fourteen custom dies for this machine. This means that the HD7700 can produce almost any binding hole pattern that you would ever need.
The punching throat on the Rhino HD-7700 is fourteen inches wide. Additionally, all of the punching dies are fourteen inches on this machine. This makes handling legal sized documents a lot easier. Many other modular binding punches on the market don't offer legal sized punching dies for many of the hole patterns used in their machines.
The construction of this machine is highly durable. It includes a heavy duty metal case that is highly durable. It also uses high quality steel punching units and internal components that are designed to remain strong in even the highest volume punching environments. Rhin-O-Tuff and its parent company Performance Design Inc. back the construction of this unit up with a one year warranty on the parts for this machine. Similar modular binding punches from GBC only have a 90 day warranty.
In addition to all of these strengths, the HD7700 also comes with a number of other great features including: a manual reverse backup to help clear potential paper jams, an extra large chip tray, an LED diagnostic display and the choice of three different punching activators.
This version of the HD7700 has a vertical punching throat. Some users prefer this style of throat as it allows them to use gravity to help align their pages in the punch. This design also allows users to bolt or set their finishing equipment on the top of the punch. However, users who don't like a vertical binding punch can always consider the HD7700 Horizontal which offers all the same features as this machine but allows for horizontal punching.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
Much of the hype around the HD7700 surrounds its ability to punch large amounts of paper at a time. However, just because a machine can punch more paper doesn't mean that you should use it to do that. In my tests with this machine, punching more than twenty to thirty sheets at a time greatly reduced the quality of the punching produced by the machine. Additionally, the pages began to weld together when I punched large stacks of paper. This made it difficult to turn the pages on my bound documents.
There are several comparisons between the features of this machine and the features of the GBC Magnapunch. There is no question, this machine has more features. However, features are only part of the problem. I recently had a customer take both of these machines for a test drive running jobs on each machine with the two systems side by side. The customer ended up choosing the Magnapunch because it was easier to use and helped them to complete their jobs faster. In my tests, I found the same thing.
One of the features that Rhin-O-Tuff brags about in their literature is the design of their die lock system. However, this is one of the things that I like least about this system. I found that even when I locked the die into place on this machine that there was a little bit of play in the punching mechanism. Additionally, the process for removing a punching pin is fairly tedious. This machine uses a steel retainer clip to hold the punching pins in place. This retainer clip needs to be moved out of the way in order to disengage a die. The GBC interchangeable die doesn't have these problems.
The HD7700 is designed for industrial punching applications. However, it also has a look that is somewhat industrial. This machine fits in fine inside a production area or workshop. However, it can look a little bit out of place in an office environment.
Recommendation:
There is no doubt that the Rhino Tuff HD7700 offers a great set of features. In fact, it has a number of features that other modular binding punches simply do not offer.
It can punch more sheets, offers legal sized punching and has more die set options than any other binding punch on the market.
However, just because a machine has a lot of great features doesn't mean that it is the best choice on the market.
Some organizations will look at this machine and determine that it is best for their specific application.
Other organizations will look at this machine and choose a machine that is easier to use but offers less features such as the GBC Magnapunch.
Overview:
The GBC Magnapunch is easily the most popular interchangeable die binding punch used by printers, copy shops, in plant printing facilities and large organizations that do volume punching.
This machine which was also sold under the Ibico brand name as the 660ID allows users to quickly and easily change punching patterns to use different binding styles.
This machine is the updated version of the exceptionally durable and very popular GBC 111pm. The 111pm was in use for approximately 30 years-many are still in use today.
The Magna Punch is fast, easy to use, durable and allows you to punch more than ten different hole patterns.
Plus, this machine also includes a number of other great features to help ensure that you spend less time punching so that you can focus on other important tasks within your organization.
Strengths / Features:
The die sets are incredibly easy to change on the GBC Magnapunch. All you need to is grab the handle and pull the die out of your system. You can then slide the new dieset into the side of the machine. There are no screws to loosen, levers to pull, latches to tighten or any other mechanism to worry about. You simply slide the die-set into the side of the machine and you are ready to punch.
There are a huge number of diesets available for this machine. In fact, there are currently seventeen different dies to choose from. This means that the Magnapunch can be used for all of the most common types of binding including: Plastic Combs, Spiral Coils, Twin Loop Wire, Velobind, Surebind, 3-Hole Punching, 2-Hole Punching and GBC Proclick.
The Magnapunch includes dual punch activators for convenience. There is a rocker switch on the right hand side of the machine to turn the punch on. This switch allows you to select the punching method that you prefer. You can choose to use the foot pedal that comes with the machine to activate the punch. Alternatively, you can choose to use the small table-top switch that activates the punch when you place your paper against the edge guide.
This machine is one of the fastest binding punches available on the market. It uses a heavy duty continuous motor that allows for a half second punching cycle. This means that the Magnapunch will be ready to punch your next stack of paper 1/2 second after it has finished the last stack. That is impressive and should be more than adequate to meet the needs of even the fastest operators. In fact, your operator should never have to wait for the Magnapunch to be ready.
The Magnapunch also has one of the largest chip trays that I have seen. This may not seem like a big deal. However, failure to empty the chip tray on a modular binding punch can greatly affect the punching quality and longevity of the motor. The chip tray on this machine can hold chips from over 40,000 sheets of paper without needing to emptied.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
The punching capacity of the Magnapunch is between 20-45 sheets depending on the dieset that you use. Several other modular punches in the same price range have higher punching capacities than this. GBC has purposefully limited the punching capacities of some of their dies in order to help prolong the life of their punch and to preserve punching quality. Although some of the other modular punches can punch more sheets at one time, the sheets will often buckle, stick together or look ragged.
The Magnapunch has a continuous duty motor which allows it to offer such a fast punching cycle. However, there is a fly wheel inside the machine that is constantly running when the machine is turned on. Inside a print shop or production area this noise is hardly noticeable. However, if you place a Magnapunch in a quiet office environment the noise is fairly noticeable. This is definitely something to keep in mind.
The die sets on the Magnapunch do not have a retainer clip to keep the pins from falling out if you turn them upside down, in order to make removing pins faster when changing between paper sizes (you can simply slide the die part way out of the machine and replace or remove the pin). Instead, GBC includes a magnetic strip with the dies that helps to keep the pins in place. However, this magnetic strip can easily fall off, be misplaced or become damaged. The dies will work without the magnetic strip. You just don't want to turn them upside down.
Recommendation:
When I compare all of the the different interchangeable die modular binding punches that I have tested and reviewed, the GBC Magnapunch is my favorite.
It is easy to setup, simple to operate and it is extremely fast. I especially like the quick die change mechanism. It is the best in the industry.
Some other punches such as the Rhino Tuff HD7700 do have larger punching capacities. However, I believe that the overall punching quality and speed is higher with this machine than it is with the HD7700 or any other modular binding punch available on the market today.