Reviewing the Akiles DuoMac 531 Combination 5:1 Pitch Coil and 3:1 Pitch Wire Binding Machine

By: Jeff McRitchie
Submitted: 2009-11-06 15:14:56
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As the only binding machine on the market with its particular set of features and options, the Akiles DuoMac 531 appears to hope that its versatility will provide binding solutions for businesses that want flexibility in their document production. Here is a rundown of what we consider to be some if the DuoMac 531's strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:

  1. We liked how the DuoMac 531 gives the user the option of binding their documents using a five to one round hole, or a three to one pitch square hole pattern. Five to one pitch coil gives your documents a really nice, professional look, and one that not a lot of other businesses choose on a regular basis. The three to one pitch pattern is used for twin loop wire for the most part, and can provide a very elegant look for your presentations or proposals. You can also use that pattern for GBC Proclick, and with twin loop wire. Overall, we guess you could just say that we appreciate how the DuoMac 531 gives you some of the nicer options when it comes to in-house binding.
  2. The wire closer that is included on the DuoMac 531 is very high quality, and should last for years.
  3. On the right side of the DuoMac 531 there are a couple of small knobs that allow you to adjust the distance that the punch occurs from the edge of the sheet or sheets. Also known as depth of punch margin, this is a great feature that helps you to ensure the functionality and durability of your finished books. Different thicknesses need different depth margins to work correctly with different sized spines. Thicker documents, for instance, should be punched a little deeper so that they open easily and the pages are less likely to be accidentally torn from the book.
  4. Another great inclusion, we thought, was that the wire binding punch features fully disengageable dies, which allows it to handle any length of sheet up to fourteen inches. The open throat design also allows for longer sheets if you use a two step punching process.
  5. The little things count in this world, and we have to hand it to Akiles for including a pair of really nice spiral coil crimping pliers. They are only about a thirty dollar value, but are so essential to the process, that we can't imagine someone trying spiral coil binding without them.
Weaknesses:
  1. None of the binding styles that are allowed for this machine are not very useful for binding documents that are over an inch thick. That is more a limitation of the styles than this particular machine, but it is something that you should be aware of if you are going to be binding larger reports or documents on a regular basis.
  2. Spiral coil punch? Check. Spiral coil crimpers? Check. Spiral coil inserter? Not so fast. We suppose, though, that there are limitations to what every machine can include, so in this case you will have to find a standalone inserter to go along with the DuoMac 531 or insert the 5:1 pitch coil by hand.

If you are interested in more information about the Akiles DuoMac 531 5:1 Coil and 3:1 Wire Binding Machine you might want to visit MyBinding.com. They offer a great price on this machine and they even offer Free Shipping on all orders over $75. Plus, they carry one of the largest selections of Binding Supplies and binding covers available on the internet. Check them out today!

Article source: Expert Articles

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