*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.