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[T338]The Big Five Factors

by Jeff Mcritchie, Jef

When your business is looking to take the step of binding its documents and presentations in-house, you will have some tough choices to make concerning which binding machine manufacturers to trust. Here we will take a quick look at the five binding machine companies who are generally considered the best in the industry, and give you the inside scoop on each of their areas of expertise.

1. Akiles: Relative newcomers on the scene, Akiles has quickly made a real name for themselves, specifically in the world of coil binding and wire binding machines. Their CoilMac and WireMac machines are well-built, full of great features, and are in fact becoming the market's gold standard for wire and coil binding machines.

2. General Binding Corporation (or GBC/Ibico): Widely considered to be the king of the industry, both in size and in scope. For the last fifty years or so, GBC has ruled the binding and laminating industries, and their comb binding machines have long been considered as far and away the industry standard. GBC is also well-known in the industry for their development of a highly-regarded line of modular binding equipment. If you are searching for comb binding, you cant go wrong with either their Combind C250 or even better, their Combind C800Pro. If you are looking for modular units, you should consider the MagnaPunch or MP2500ix.

3. PDI Rhin-O-Tuff: In a relatively short time, PDI has positioned itself as a true competitor to the GBC line of modular binders. Solidly built and reliable, the Rhin-O-Tuff machines are designed to take on more pages, and thus bigger jobs, at one time than any other binding units on the market. Rhino has the competitive advantage of manufacturing the only twenty-four inch punch available on the market. Known as the HD7500, it is made specifically to bind calendars and other similarly large documents.

4. Renz: Provides tough competition for all of the binding machine manufacturers out there. The star of their line is their extremely innovative and labor-saving coil-binding machine that includes a built-in wire crimper, eliminating the need for manual hand-crimping with pliers. Renz is also unique in that it offers oval-hole punching of documents, something that is either prohibitively expensive or nonexistent in other machines.

5. Tamerica: One of the few binding machine manufacturers out there that offers a full line of binding machines, Tamerica has made a name for itself by offering machines that are built well and for ease of use. Their coil inserter is one of the best and most unique on the market, offering specialized stops at both ends that keep the coils from twisting out of their booklets.

Though there are other respected binding-machine makers out there (such as Wilson Jones and Fellowes), the five discussed represent the best in the industry, and do the lion's share of the business. This primer is only a starting point, however, and if you have any questions further questions about binding machines and their manufacturers, you should never hesitate to talk to us.

Older homes should not be avoided, but they do require careful inspection because building codes were much different 50 years ago than they are today and some homes may have been built without careful review by municipal officials.

It takes a trained eye to spot the special problems of older homes, especially those that have undergone renovations and remodeling. Homes dating as far back as 1900 are still standing, but the construction materials are reaching their natural lifespan and you can be sure neither the materials used nor the methods employed are consistent with current standards.

A professional home inspection for older homes is a good idea. Some problems just waiting to happen are not obvious without expert probing. Where additions or major renovations have occurred, it's important to determine if the foundation is capable of carrying the additional load.

Over the decades various remodeling efforts or upgrades such as new bathrooms or kitchens will have masked underlying problems. For instance, a spiffy new sink connected to a pipe that is decades-old is susceptible to blockage just a few feet beyond its gleaming surface. Let's look at some common problem areas:

1.One of the first places to look in an older home is the basement. These were called cellars when the home was built and they were not meant to be lived in. The concept of a recreation room was unheard of and television hadn't even been invented!

The basement may have a solid feel thanks to a modern cosmetic finish but who knows what lurks behind the paneling? Faults and failures here can mean expensive repairs or higher insurance rates. Decades of exposure to poor drainage or lack of damp-proofing can cause serious deterioration. I turn my nose on when I walk downstairs. When a room has been damp for many years there is usually a musty odor that lets you know, even in mid-summer.

2.The roof structure is also a potential problem after half a century of cold winters and hot summers, no matter how many times it has been re-shingled. Chimney deterioration is common, the flashing materials may have rusted, the wood fascia may have rotted beneath those repeated layers of paint, or the roofline itself may be sagging.

3.Ceiling insulation is also a common problem in older homes. Over the decades residents may have tried to cut heating costs by applying new insulation right on top of combustible materials such as sawdust, shredded paper or wood shavings. Lack of ventilation is also a problem because in decades past the importance of proper air flow was not appreciated.

4.Hot air and hot water heating systems that rely on gravity and low pressure steam heating systems are still quite common. Not only are they costly to operate, their components are often at or beyond their life expectancy.

5.The electrical system offers a special challenge, since few older homes have sufficient electrical outlets for today's high-tech families. Many still have 60 amp service and some still have ungrounded knob and tube wiring, which is a shock and fire hazard.

6.Plumbing is a further concern because cast iron drainage pipes rust, galvanized steel water lines corrode, and vent pipes get plugged up over the years. It's not uncommon in older homes to find copper pipes in exposed areas, connected to galvanized pipes behind the walls.

7.Termites are also a very common problem in older homes. It's not a matter of if you get them in Kansas City, but when you get them; and by the time a home is 50+ years old, the damage can sometimes be significant.

So there you have it. The need-to-know information that will give you the knowledge and confidence you need to expertly tackle the complex issues that come along with the character and charm of these rewarding homes.

Good luck!

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Both Jeff Mcritchie & Kansas City Home Inspections are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Jeff Mcritchie has sinced written about articles on various topics from Binding Machines, Computers and The Internet and Shopping. Jeff McRitchie is the director of marketing for and lives in Hillsboro, Oregon. He writes extensively on topics related to. Jeff Mcritchie's top article generates over 74000 views. to your Favourites.

Kansas City Home Inspections has sinced written about articles on various topics from Binding Machines. Bulldog Professional Inspection Services is a professional home inspection firm that specializes in the inspection of older homes around the Kansas City area. We combine extremely helpful and friendly service from beginning to end with one of the most tho. Kansas City Home Inspections's top article generates over 880 views. to your Favourites.