We have come up with a list of the top 7 best manual wire binding machines. These are machines that have proven themselves to be reliable, durable and made from quality parts. Here is our list:

Top 7 Best Manual Wire Binding Machines:

1. Akiles WireMac Wire Binder
2. Tahsin 213-PB
3. Akiles WireMac Duo Series
4. Akiles Megabind II
5. Renz RW Wire Binder
6. Renz SRW Binding Machine
7. Akiles WireMac Combo

QUESTION: I am fed up with my GBC C400e comb-binding machine. We have had it repaired 3 times now and I’ve had enough. Do you know of a good replacement for a GBC comb binder? I want to stay with comb binding and it needs to be electric.

ANSWER: I personally recommend Akiles hands down. Akiles, in my opinion, runs circles around low-end GBC machines. You have a couple of options here, much of it depending on your binding volume.

If you have low to medium-volume binding needs, the Akiles AlphaBind-CE is a great choice. It still has an electric punch, like the GBC C400e, and is very easy to use. Unlike the GBC C400e, the Akiles model is made from durable metal construction. A foot pedal is great for hands-free operation.

If you have high-volume binding needs, you really can’t go wrong with the Akiles CombMac 24E. This comb-binding machine is a beast, capable of punching 25 sheets of paper at a time with an electric-powered motor. This machine is designed for more use and output than the GBC C400e, but could be a good choice if you expect your binding needs to increase in the future.

Regardless of which machine you go with, manual or electric, Akiles has risen to the top and can be considered one of the best brands available today. You can see our entire selection of Akiles binding machines here.

Have more questions about comb binding machines? Post your comments here!

Laminating sheets come in a variety of different thicknesses. These typically come in 3, 5, 7 and 10 mil thicknesses. A mil is a thousandth of an inch. A 10-mil pouch has two 10-mil sides equaling a total of 20 mil. This means that 3, 5, 7 and 10-mil pouches are 6, 10, 14 and 20-mil thick once laminated (not counting the material being laminated). A credit card is 30-mil thick. Hopefully this hasn’t confused you too much.

The most common sizes of laminating sheets purchased today are 5 and 7 mil thick. A 10-mil sheet is very thick once laminated and is typically only used to laminate extremely thin documents. Five mil thick laminating sheets are probably the most common size used for laminating photographs.

Most pouch laminators can handle 5-mil thick laminating sheets, but not all can handle 10-mil thick sheets. Be sure you know what your laminator can handle prior to making a purchase.

You can find our entire selection of pouch laminating sheets here.

We often get asked which shrink wrap machine is best for daily packaging of a variety of different products. This may involved CDs, soap, chocolate, software and more. I have a couple of great options.

There are two primary types of shrink wrap machines. The first type is an I-bar (straight bar) and the second is an L-bar. The machine you get will depend on your preference and the volume you are packaging.

An I-bar sealer has a single cutting bar that cuts and seals the film. Because it only cuts one side at a time, it usually requires two passes to completely encapsulate a product. Why only two passes?

Assuming you are using centerfold shrink wrap film, the folded side is already sealed leaving three open sides.

Every time an I-bar sealer is used, not only does it cut the film for your package, but it also seals one side of the film for the next package. This leaves a total of two open sides for each consecutive package.  A heat gun is typically used to shrink the film.

An L-bar sealer has two cutting and sealing bars, in the shape of an L. As previously described with the I-bar sealer, the film usually only has two open sizes, which means an L-bar sealer will completely encapsulate a packaging in one pass. Many L-bar sealers come with a heat tunnel, although a heat gun may be used.

We have two recommended I-bar and two recommended L-bar sealers for your daily packaging needs. These are as follows:

Top I-Bar Sealers

• Super Sealer – Deluxe Model with Heat Gun
• AIE I-Bar Shrink Wrap System With Gun

Top L-Bar Sealers

• Minipack Galaxy Shrink Wrap System
• Minipack Galileo Shrink Wrap System

You can see our entire selection of shrink wrap machines and equipment here.

When binding a report, many people will create a title page or decorative cover on their computer, print it out and bind it to the front page of their booklet. This isn’t always the most professional look. I highly recommend using a report cover to improve the overall look and appearance.

The most common report cover combination is to use a clear cover for the front and a solid card stock cover for the back. This combination looks clean and professional. Clear covers come in different thicknesses, depending on your preference. Card stock covers are available in a variety of textures, colors and styles. You can find our report covers and clear covers here.

The style of binding can also dramatically change the look of your document. Changing from a plastic comb to double-loop wire look can add an extra degree of professionalism to a document. The style of binding you use will depend on the situation, but double-loop wire and coil binding are very popular for professional reports. You can find our book binding machines here.

Using one or more of these tips will really add an extra dimension to your bound report or book. Good luck!

Shrink wrap machines have become smaller, easier to use and far more affordable. Minipack has been on the forefront of this revolution. Two of their most popular machines are the Minipack Galaxy and Galileo machines. You can find them here.

The Galaxy and the Galileo shrink wrap machines replaced the Mini-Plus and the Mini-Mini shrink wrap machines. The Galaxy and Galileo are essentially the same machine, but with different chamber dimensions. Both the Galaxy and Galileo are available in different setups. These have been broken down into systems. The system you use depends entirely on what you need.

Both of these machines have an integrated heat tunnel. This means that when the hood is brought down, it will cut the film around the package and shrink it in one single pass. This is very quick and very convenient. Packaging a DVD, software box, pizza or soap bar can be done in just a few seconds. You can use these to package food by using polyolefin film.

The Galaxy and Galileo are very easy to use and set up. There is no special training required. Maintenance is also easy.

Both of these machines are very efficient and emit very little odor. This is especially nice when being used in poorly ventilated rooms. These machines can use both PVC and Polyolefin film. You can learn more about the two different types of film by going here.

We have had customers ask if the heat will damage products. While there may be some heat-sensitive products you will not want to package, we have had customers send in chocolate samples for testing and haven’t had a problem with the heat melting anything.

If you are interested in the Minipack Galaxy or Galileo, send a sample into us and we will test it out on these machines. We can then send the sample back to you for your approval.

We are also able to offer live video demonstrations of these machines through the Internet. If you are interested in having one of these machines demonstrated for you, simply one of these forms:

• Galaxy Live Video Demo Request
• Galileo Live Video Demo Request

For answers to additional shrink wrap questions, feel free to call one of our shrink wrap experts at 1-800-658-8788.

There are a couple of reasons the Rotatrim line is popular. Most of this boils down to quality and build. Rotatrim cutters are heavy and made from solid components. If you ever have the chance to handle a Rotatrim next to another cutter, you will be amazed at the difference in quality. In many instances, the difference is as stark as comparing a bicycle to a Porsche.

The Rotatrim Professional Series of cutters are considered to be some of the best cutters made by Rotatrim. The cutting wheel is large, making cutting effortless, and the cutting head itself rests on two support bars. These two bars keep the cutting head solidly in place, preventing movement. This means cuts are very accurate and very straight every time.

While Rotatrim rotary cutters cost more up front, chances are pretty good that they will last for years. Many have reported their Rotatrim cutters lasting up to 10+ years. Now compare that to a Fiskars cutter, which you may be replacing every few months. The costs makes itself up quickly.

You can find our line of Rotatrim Professional Cutters here. If you need a rotary cutter, but the Rotatrim is a little much for you, here are five great high-quality alternatives.

Great Rotatrim Alternatives:

• Akiles Roll-@-Blade
• Carl MR Series Rotary Cutters
• Dahle 550 Series Cutters
• Dahle 440 Series Rotary Cutters
• Foster Keencut Classic

Acrylic (Plexiglas) and PETG (glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate) display racks are both clear and are made from a type of plastic. Most display racks are now made from PETG. This is because PETG plastic is more durable, resists cracking / scratching and is safer.

All of our clear plastic display racks are made from PETG. Acrylic, although not used as much now, is still a perfectly acceptable term and we will certainly understand it if you call or e-mail us. PETG plastic is designed to be shatter proof and eliminate the jagged cracked edges that used to be commonplace in older plastic displays.

There are three major types of clear display racks. These are wall mounted, corner mounted and countertop designs. The wall-mounted models, as the name states, are mounted on the wall. These are probably the most common style of clear display rack. Corner mounted are used in tight spaces because they make use of the often forgotten corner. Countertop racks are usually free standing and sit on a table or counter.

You can find our entire selection of clear display, literature, pamphlet and magazine racks here.

We have had Sircle brand pouch laminators and binding machines online for some time. Most Sircle machines are designed for low to medium-volume use. One big advantage of Sircle machines is the price. They are usually priced much lower than comparable models.

Time permitting, you should stop by our site and take a look at the new SircleLam EM-40 by going here!

As the rabid fan, or a concert junkie, you will more than likely seek out a business or copy shop that can laminate these posters. If you’re a copy shop, these are the people you want visiting your establishment.

If your roll laminator is going to be used frequently, you definitely want to make sure you get the right roll laminator. A broken laminator not only costs money to fix, but also costs you in lost customers / revenue.

We have compiled a list of the top 5 poster laminators in the 25-27-inch range. These laminators have proven themselves over time and have an excellent track record.

Top 7 Rated Poster Laminators (Listed in alphabetical order):

1. ARL2700 27″ Roll Laminator
2. Banner American EasyLam II 27″ Roll Laminator
3. Banner American MightyLam 2700 Roll Laminator
4. GBC Pinnacle 27″ & 27″ EZLoad Roll Laminators
5. Ledco HD 25 Workhorse Heavy Duty 25″ Roll Laminator
6. Ledco Premier 4 25″ Roll Laminator
7. Tahsin TCC2700 Roll Laminator

Degaussing paddles are used to wipe data from magnetically encoded devices. This includes floppy disks, hard drives, bubble memory chips, magnetic media ribbons and much more. These magnets are NSA/CSS 9-12A-D approved, which means they can be used to remove some of the most sensitive data.

Time permitting, stop by our site and check out these new degaussing magnets by going here. Enjoy!

What many people don’t realize is that the printing industry deals with thousands of sheets of paper on a daily basis. The slightest inconsistency or inaccuracy, even being off just a few percentage points, can cost a business a lot of money. Paper counters not only save time, but are extremely accurate too.

We have a created a paper counter guide designed not just to help the general public, but printers as well. This guide covers common questions such as “Why should I consider investing money in a paper counter?” and “Can your paper counters batch tab, and if so, how fast?” Answers to these questions, and more, will help you determine if you can benefit from using a paper counter.

You can find our new paper counter and batch tabber guide here. You can also find our entire selection of paper counters here.

Can you imagine working in an office without a waste receptacle? It wouldn’t be pretty…..literally. A lot of design and engineering has gone into making garbage cans pretty, and we have some prime examples of this.

Although you may not think of a garbage can as a piece of office décor, it really does add to the look of the room. Nobody wants a cardboard box or a plastic bag as a garbage can. We have chrome plated, mesh, square and round waste bins. These are designed to handle frequent day-to-day use.

We also have a great selection of outdoor garbage cans. As is the case with indoor garbage cans, outdoor cans should look nice as well. Our outdoor receptacles include ash urn style cans, stone, and aluminum designs. We also have a great selection of steel recycling bins for paper, glass and plastic.

You can see our entire selection of garbage cans and bins here.

There are a couple of ways you can help prevent yourself from falling victim to counterfeit money. ABC Office has created a very detailed and comprehensive guide to help you cut down the loosing merchandise to counterfeit money.

Once you know what to look out for, counterfeit money can be easy to track down. Several common methods of counterfeiting can be caught without the use of a machine, simply by being better educated. Other methods of counterfeiting aren’t as easy to catch by the naked eye, but are still easy to catch with the use of a counterfeit detector.

If you are in a retail location, visually inspecting money may not be practical. For the sake of speed, and increased accuracy, we recommend using a counterfeit detector. They aren’t expensive, with some models ringing in at only $10.

You can find our new counterfeit detection guide here. We hope you will be able to take something from this and help save yourself or your business save money later down the road. Enjoy!

Bill discriminators are far less common than a standard bill counter. This is because they not only count bills, but they can distinguish the difference between different denominations. Most bill counters cannot do this. The new PLUS Banking Systems P-624 can count bills and give you the quantity and monetary value of everything counted.

Not only does the PLUS Banking Systems P-624 count bills, but it also has counterfeit detection built in. If the P-624 detects a counterfeit bill, it will quickly let you know. This is a great feature to have as counterfeit money is a problem plaguing many cities throughout the United States. The software on the P-624 can be updated to accommodate future currency changes.

Both the Shinwoo SB1000 and the P-624 are very similar in the way they operate. Time permitting, you should stop by our site and take a look at this new machine. You can find the PLUS Banking Systems P-624 here.

Padding presses are designed to pad a large volume of paper at once. This can often involve (but does not require) 1,000 plus pages. Once the pages have been placed in the padding press, the paper is clamped and the glue can be applied. Once the glue dries, the clamp is released and the large stack can be cut down into smaller, more usable note pads.

Padding presses are considered “green” in that used paper can be recycled into notepads. All you need is one clean side, even if the other side has been printed on.

Padding glue is available in white or red, depending on your preference of color. Accessories such as quick-as-a-wink paper counters and padding knives are optional, but not required. You can find step-by-step instructions on exactly how to create a pad of paper here.

You can view our entire selection of padding presses here.

A round corner adds just enough of an aesthetic change to improve the appearance of a document. Sometimes it is so subtle that people feel the document they are handling is of higher quality, but the don’t know why.

What are some common documents to have their corners rounded? What I have seen, from our customers, is that many people like to round the corners of their business cards. A 1/8-inch corner is the most popular corner diameter. Photographs are also popular for corner rounding. So what should you look for in a corner rounder?

Be sure your corner rounder has interchangeable blades. For one, this allows you to swap out different diameter cuts. With this ability, you can use a 1/8-inch diameter on a business card and a ¼-inch diameter on a photograph. Most importantly, this allows you to replace a dull blade.

The handle length will determine how easy it is to cut through paper and material. The longer the handle, the more leverage you have and the easier it will be to cut through paper. Most of the corner rounders we sell at ABC Office can cut through at least a half-inch of paper.

Most corner rounders can cut through laminated material as well, however, laminated paper will dull the blade more quickly. Some of our higher end corner rounders can even cut up to .080 aluminum.

You will find our entire selection of corner rounders here.

Chain e-mails have been passed around, and stories have been told about children whose fingers have been cut off or dogs that have had their tongues stuck in shredders. Many of these stories, at first, seem almost impossible. Sadly, many of them are true. There are documented cases of animals and children being injured. You can find a few of them here.

There are several reasons why older shredders can injure children and pets. This because many shredders have an auto sensor that can detect paper being inserted, automatically activating the motor. These types of shredders will also think an ear, tongue or finger is a sheet of paper as well, activating the motor.

Children and animals aren’t the only ones that can be injured by a shredder. Loose hanging clothing can get caught, jewelry can accidentally be pulled in and long hair can get caught up in the blades. Thankfully, lessons have been learned and most manufacturers now build shredders with safety precautions implemented.

A few of these modern changes involve setting the blades back farther into the shredder head. This makes it far more difficult for fingers to even reach the blades. Also, the throat on many shredders has been curved, making it next to impossible for a finger to reach the blades.

On of the most successful changes made to a shredder is SafeSense^TM, developed by Fellowes. SafeSense^TM Technology automatically disables the shredder when hands touch the paper entry. Whether it’s your child’s hands or your dog’s tail, SafeSense^TM Technology instantly stops the shredder from shredding when hands are too close.

What can you do if you own an older shredder? Here are a few recommendations:

• Upgrade to a newer shredder.
• Unplug the shredder when it is not being used.
• Keep shredders out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep long hair pulled back.
• Remove jewelry prior to use.
• Be sure loose hanging clothing, such as neckties, are not in the way.

With this in mind, do not be scared away by paper shredders. Paper shredders are a great way to destroy sensitive information, old receipts, credit card applications and more. When used correctly, paper shredders are very safe and useful.

If you are in the market for a new safer shredder, or simply need a replacement, you can find ABC Office’s entire line of paper shredders here.

Why are they so popular with scrapbookers (scrappers)? For one, they are very easy to use and are very portable. They are fairly inexpensive, for what they do. Because they are compact, they can easily be taken from one place to another. The biggest reason they are popular is because of what they can do.

Not only do Xyron laminators laminate photographs, paper and other material, but they can also be used to create stickers. Some cartridges apply adhesive to the back of the document for permanent applications and others are designed for temporary applications. This means that people can create a sticker from pictures of their kids, pets, family and more.

Most of Xyron’s lamination cartridges are acid-free. This means that paper will not yellow over time and photographs will not degrade. If you’re a scrapper, you know how important acid-free paper and lamination film can be. Xyron laminators range dramatically in size, from something as small as 9-inches up to a laminator that is 25-inches wide.

Xyron laminators are known as “green” laminators. This is because they require no power to be operated. They feature a manually operated hand crank. This means that a die-hard scrapbooker can add to their scrapbook by candlelight during a power outage or they can continue their scrapbooking efforts while camping.

You can find ABC Office’s selection of Xyron laminators here.

Here is a video demo of a Xyron laminator in use:

Check signers use signature plates. A signature plate is a metal plate that contains the signature. The plate itself is usually curved and it is attached to a round bar that spins a full 360 degrees. As paper runs through the machine, the signature plate is inked and rolls over the paper, thus signing it.

There are two main types of check signers. The first type is a continuous forms check signer and the other is a cut sheet check signer. The model you use will depend on the type of paper you use.

Definitions:

Cut Sheet – A cut sheet check signer uses standard individual sheets of paper. These sheets can still contain perforations, but must be individual sheets in a stack. The cut sheet check signer will peel off one sheet at a time and sign it. Xerox copy machines use a cut sheet design.

Continuous Forms – Continuous forms check signers use continuous forms paper (surprise). This is the type of paper that used to be found in the old dot matrix printers. This type of paper is usually all connected and packaged in an accordion-like fashion. There are usually perforated sides with tiny holes used for feeding the paper through the check signer.

Check signers are usually built with security measures in place. This is to prevent a rogue employee or criminal from using it to print their own checks. Security measures usually include a key lock to access the signature plate and a pass code that has to be entered before the machine can be used.

Once checks are printed, they usually have to be torn apart. Since most pre-printed check paper is pre-perforated, a forms burster is perfect to do this job. Many check signers can be interfaced directly with a burster. The burster quickly tears the paper apart. Bursters are also usually available in continuous forms and cut sheet designs.

You can view our entire selection of check signers here.