* The GBC C800pro has been around for decades. It used to be called the Ibico EPK21 and is one of the most popular electric desktop comb binding machines available on the market.
* The CombBind C800pro is an all in one combination binding system with an integrated electric punch, disengageable dies and a heavy duty manual comb opener.
* This machine is produced by GBC (General Binding Corporation) who is the largest and most respected manufacturer of comb binding machines in the world.
Features / Strengths
* The CombBind C800 pro has a heavy duty electric punch that can punch up to 25 sheets of paper at one time. The punch is operated by a convenient and easy to use foot pedal switch. The foot pedal helps to increase productivity by allowing users to hold the pages they are punching with both hands.
* This machine offers a heavy duty manual comb opener that is capable of opening both round and oval shaped comb binding spines. The opener offers heavy duty metal fingers and is operated by a single handle located on the left side of the machine. Unlike many other comb binding machines, the handle on this machine is operated by pulling the handle forward (not pushing it backwards). This allows the C800pro to be placed against a wall.
* The machine also has fully disengageable dies and an open throat design. Although the throat of the machine is only 12 inches in width, the disengageable pins allow you to punch virtually any length of document.
* There is a convenient document sizing chart on the front of the machine to help you determine the appropriate size of combs for your document. You simply slide your book into the sizing guide and it will tell you the size of comb that you will need.
* There is a depth of punch margin control on the side of the machine that allows the user to adjust the distance of the holes from the edge of the document. This is an important feature for binding documents that are very thin or very thick.
* The machine is constructed of heavy duty steel and is incredibly durable. In fact many of these machines are still in use after decades.
Limitations / Weaknesses:
* Although the C800 has a 12 inch open punching throat, it is not an ideal choice for organizations that do a lot of legal length binding. Fourteen inch documents will require a two step punching process that is time consuming. Additionally, the comb opener on this machine is not long enough to open and close 24 ring legal size combs. This means that you will need to manually insert the last 2-3 rings on each legal length book that you plan on binding.
* Although the C800pro is extremely durable, the cost to repair the motor on this machine can be astronomical. In the event that the motor dies after the 1 year warranty period it will cost over $1000 to repair. Most users end up buying a new machine if this occurs. For this reason, it is a good idea to consider an extended warranty on this unit.
* The foot pedal used by this machine to activate the punching mechanism is convenient for long runs and increased punching productivity. However, the pedal is constructed out of plastic and should be treated gently. It would also be nice if the C800 Pro included a push button punching mechanism for short runs and occasional use.
* Although this machine can punch up to 25 sheets of 20lb paper at a time it should only be used to punch 1-2 plastic binding covers at a time. Punching more plastic sheets at a time can wear out the punching pins and shorten the life of the motor. This is a limitation shared by virtually all electric binding punches.
Recommendation:
* The C800pro is an excellent choice for schools, offices, mail rooms and medium duty production environments.
* The machine is extremely well built, comes with a 1 year warranty and is backed by the largest manufacturer of binding equipment in the world.
* However, this machine is not a good choice for users that need to do a lot of legal length binding or for heavy production environments. These types of users would be better served by looking at a modular binding punch and a stand alone plastic comb opener.
* The Fellowes Starlet 90 binding machine is one of the most economical plastic comb binding machines on the market.
* Designed for home and small office users this machine is designed to give users the ability to bind their own documents, reports and proposals without spending a fortune on a binding system.
* This machine is small, easy to use and even includes a convenient carrying handle for transporting the machine.
Strengths / Features:
* The Fellowes Starlet binding machine is one of the least expensive comb binding machines available on the market. With a price of just over $50, this machine is a great choice for someone who needs to occasionally bind a few documents or reports.
* The Starlet has a unique design that allows the machine to fold flat when it is not in use. When folded there is a convenient handle to carry the machine from place to place. It also includes a slide out tray for holding a limited supply of plastic binding combs and provides a special sizing guide to help determine the correct size of spine for your document.
* Unlike many other low priced plastic comb binding machines, this unit offers metal fingers and hooks as part of the comb opener. Units with plastic fingers and hooks will often break over time and are far less durable.
* The Fellowes Starlet also includes one handle for punching and another handle for opening plastic combs. The two handle design helps to reduce wear and offers a nice small footprint for the machine.
* This machine can punch up to 7 sheets of 20lb paper at a time. Although other units can certainly punch more, this is a respectable number for a low priced unit such as this.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
* One major limitation of this unit is that it is only designed for use with plastic combs up to 1/2" in diameter. This allows users to bind documents up to 90 sheets using this unit. It is certainly possible to punch documents that are thicker than this. However, the comb opener is only designed for use with smaller combs. If you need to bind thicker documents, you might want to look for a heavier duty larger binding machine.
* The Starlet is designed for use with letter sized (11") sheets and oversize (11.25") covers. It can not be used to bind documents that are shorter or longer than eleven inches. Organizations that need to bind legal sized documents or half size books need to consider other binding machines.
* Although the hooks and fingers of the comb opener on the Starlet are made of metal, virtually everything else on this machine is made out of plastic. For light occasional use this shouldn't be a huge problem. However, this machine is not designed for heavy use and if used heavily, the plastic parts will most likely break.
Recommendation:
* For individuals or organizations that are looking for a low cost plastic comb binding machine to bind letter sized documents up to 90 sheets thick, the Fellowes Starlet is a good choice.
* It has a nice sleek design and the fact that it folds flat and contains storage for comb binding spines makes this a great choice.
* However, the Starlet is not a good fit for organizations that need to bind custom length documents, need to bind large numbers of documents or need to bind documents that are thicker than 1/2".