The Coilmac EPI is a heavy duty electric spiral coil binding machine with both an electric punch and an electric coil inserter.
It is one of the largest and most impressive desktop combination units available on the market.
Offers a great set of features for medium to large organizations
Features / Strengths:
Offers a 25 sheet punching capacity (actually more like 22 sheets) for 20lb bond paper. Can punch 2 clear covers at a time. This is one of the largest punch capacities available in a desktop binding machine. Uses a foot pedal control to allow you to hold your document in both hands while punching and inserting
Offers a continuous punching guide that lets you punch longer documents using the open throat design of this machine. This is a small metal pin that is on the side of the punching throat that helps you to align the document when you flip it over to punch the other side.
Includes a pair of coil crimping pliers to help you finish the coil bound documents by cutting off the excess coil and bending over the ends so it doesn't come back off the book.
Includes a depth of punch margin control to allow you to choose how far from the edge of the page you want the holes.
Has adjustments for binding 8.5", 11", A4 and A5 paper. You can also punch 14" legal sized paper and other longer documents with a two step process using the continuous punching guide.
Can be used with oversized covers by moving the paper guide so that the last pin on the machine corresponds to the last hole on the cover. This is a capability that most coil binding machines do not have.
Limitations / Weaknesses:
Does not offer fully disengageable dies. This means that it will have difficulties with custom sized non standard documents. This is not an issue for most users but is something to keep in mind.
It uses a single foot pedal that requires you to flip a switch to change between inserting and punching. This means that it is not as efficient for users who like to punch one book and then insert the coil. With the EPI it will be faster to first punch your books and then insert the coils.
Large volume users may find that a stand alone coil inserter and a modular punch may increase productivity by allowing two users to work on a project instead of just one.
Construction:
In the words of one customer the EPI is "built like a tank" Heavy duty all metal construction. This machine weighs almost 75lbs and is designed for long lasting durability in medium to high volume applications.
The only consumable part on the EPI is the small rubber belt that drives the coil inserter. This is simple to replace and only costs a few dollars. The other components on the EPI can be replaced if any problems were to arise. Most desktop binding units are cost prohibitive to repair. With the EPI this is not the case.
Recommendation:
Ideal for mid to high volume users looking for a solid spiral coil binding solution that is built to last.
Should be able to handle almost any job that you throw at it.
For the highest volume users a solution that includes a separate coil inserter (or an additional stand alone inserter) might be helpful.
