One of the greatest challenges in choosing a wire binding machine is the fact that you are required to choose either 3:1 pitch (3 holes per inch) or 2:1 pitch (2 holes per inch). If you select a 3:1 twin loop binding machine you are limited to binding books that are 9/16" or smaller. In the past, if you selected a 2:1 wire-o binding machine you would be limited to books that were 5/8" thick up to 1-1/4" thick. However, with the introduction of new smaller sized 2:1 pitch wire, a 2:1 wire binding machine can now be used to bind books as small as 1/4".
This new small sized 2:1 pitch wire works the exact same way as the larger 2:1 pitch wires that you use with your machine. Simply punch your documents, insert the documents and binding covers onto the C shaped wire and use your twin loop wire closer to close the wire into a circle.
The 2:1 pitch small sized wire is fully compatible with most of the 2:1 pitch twin loop binding machines that are available on the market. However, if you already have a 2:1 pitch wire-o binding machine you will need to check and see if the wire closer is adjustable for smaller sizes. Some 2:1 wire binding machines on the market do not allow you to adjust the wire closer for sizes smaller than 5/8".
With this new option it is no longer necessary to have two wire binding machines if you want to bind both large and small sized books. However, even though it is possible to use a single machine for this purpose, many individuals still opt for a combo machine which allows them to bind documents with both 2:1 and 3:1 pitch wire. These customers often like the look of the smaller holes and more tightly looped wire that you get with the 3:1 pitch binding spines. Plus, the cost of 3:1 pitch small sized wire is less than 2:1 pitch small sized wire which allows users with a 3:1 pitch wire binding machine to save money on supplies over time.
The option of using small sized 2:1 pitch wire for binding your documents is ideal for the office that binds more large books than small books. However, if you are looking to purchase a new wire binding machine and you bind primarily small sized books and only occasionally need to bind larger reports, I would suggest purchasing a wire binding machine that is capable of binding both 2:1 and 3:1 pitch wires as it will save you money on supplies over time and will provide you with more options in binding your documents, reports and presentations.
*This machine is no exception. It boasts heavy duty metal components, and an excellent set of features and a great design. All things that are essential for meeting the needs of small and medium sized organizations that are looking for a twin loop wire binding machine.
Strengths / Features:
*One of the most impressive things about the DFG TitanWire-L is its punching capacity. This machine can punch up to twenty five sheets per lift. For a manual punch, that is actually quite incredible. Most other similar punches on the market are only capable of punching up to about twenty sheets at a time. This means that the TitanWire-L offers as much as a 25% better punching capacity than its competition.
*The TitanWireL is designed to punch a 2:1 pitch hole pattern. This means that it punches two holes per inch. Generally, a 2:1 pitch wire binding machine would be used for binding documents between 5/8" and 1-1/4" thick. However, this machine is also compatible with special small sized 2:1 pitch wire elements. This means that you can use it to bind documents from 1/4" up to 1-1/4" in diameter. Small sized 2:1 pitch spines cost a little bit more than standard 3:1 pitch spines. However, it is really nice to have the flexibility to bind both large and small documents.
*The TitanWire-L is constructed almost completely of metal. The punching mechanism, punching pins, document table, the handles and the wire closer are all made of heavy duty steel or other metal alloys. All of these components have been tested extensively and are designed for years of daily usage without the need for repair or maintenance.
*The wire closing device included on the Titan-Wire L is both durable and solid. It has uses two large adjustment knobs that allow you to set the closer to close your spines with precision. This is the same type of adjustment mechanism that is used on high end manual stand alone wire closers from GBC and Rhin-O-Tuff. Plus, the closer also uses two high quality steel closing blocks that won't shift, bend, warp or become less accurate over time.
*The Titan-Wire L also includes a number of other excellent features such as: fully disengageable punching pins, a depth of punch margin control, a continuous punching guide, a spine measuring device and an extra large chip tray.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
*It is hard to believe that in the design of this machine that DFG forgot to include a wire holder or a wire hanger. When binding documents, a wire holder or hanger is designed to keep the wire spine in place while you add your pages onto the loops. The fact that the TitanWireL doesn't include a wire hanger means that users will need to hold the wire with one hand while they try to add the pages with another. That takes a lot of co-ordination and will really cut into the productivity of this machine.
*Another thing that is important to note about this machine is that it only has an eleven inch punching throat and an eleven inch wire closer. This makes it ideal for binding letter sized and smaller documents. However, companies that ocassionally need to bind A4 or legal sized documents will struggle with this machine. These organizations may want to consider one of the Akiles Wiremac binding machines as an alternative to this system.
*Another potential weakness that should be noted is the placement of the wire closer on the TitanWire series of binding machines. The closer is located on top of the machine which requires users to lift their document with the wire up and place it into the closer. It can often be difficult to do this without the loop of wire coming out of the holes on the document. As a general rule, the shorter the distance you need to move the wire the easier it will be.
Recommendation:
*The TItanWire-L is one of the best built 2:1 pitch twin loop wire binding machines that I have seen. The construction is excellent, it uses heavy duty metal components and has an excellent punching capacity.
*However, the fact that it does not include a wire hanger or holder and only offers an eleven inch punching throat is less than ideal.
*Organizations that need to bind legal sized documents or who are looking for a high productivity machine will most likely need to look to the Akiles line of wire binding equipment.
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