How Do I Bind with the DFG ETitanComb Comb Binding Machine?

The DFG ETitanComb comb binding machine is a heavy-duty, all-electric comb binder that efficiently binds documents up to 2″ thick. The ETitanComb has fully-disengageable pins to accommodate a wide array of document sizes, in addition to an open punching throat, a side margin guide, and an adjustable punching depth for added versatility. Below is a step-by-step guide for binding books with the DFG ETitanComb comb binder:

DFG ETitanComb Comb Binding Machine
  1. If this is the first time that your DFG ETitanComb is being used, it will need to be set up prior to binding. Remove the screw located on the left side of the machine using a Phillips-head screwdriver. Place the binding handle onto the binding shaft so that the handle points toward the back of the machine, then thread the screw through the handle into the shaft and tighten it to secure. Insert the foot pedal plug into the foot pedal jack located on the back of the machine (below the power switch). Plug the power cord into the right side of the machine, then plug the opposite end into a power outlet.
  2. Turn on the power switch (located on the back of the machine).
  3. Use the comb Size Selector to determine the best plastic binding comb diameter based on the thickness of your book. To measure your document, place it under the Size Selector and press down until the bottom of the selector is flush against the top page. The top of the Size Selector will indicate which comb diameter is best suited for your book.
  4. Set the punching depth using the sliding control knob located on the left side of the machine (immediately above the side margin guide). The punching margin is generally larger for thicker documents than for thinner documents, because a greater punching margin makes it easier to accommodate large-size combs and helps to prevent tearing along the punched holes.
  5. Adjust the side guide (located on the left side of the machine base) to center the sheet within the punch. The side guide can be moved by loosening the screw knob, sliding it to the left or right as necessary, and then tightening it to lock it in place.
  6. Using the printed dots on the machine base as a guide, disengage any dies that will leave partially-punched holes along the ends of your paper. To disengage a die, pull the corresponding arm straight out from the machine until it stops. If you need to re-engage a previously disengaged pin, push the corresponding arm straight into the machine until it stops.
  7. Insert up to 28 sheets (based on 20 lb. paper) into the punch. Align the sheets to the side margin guide and the back of the punching throat to help prevent misaligned holes. Note: If you are punching 10 mil PVC covers, you can only punch size covers at a time to prevent jams and excessive machine wear.
  8. Press the foot pedal to activate the electric punch. Release the foot pedal and remove the punched sheets.
  9. Continue punching the pages of your document – working in sets of up to 28 sheets – until all pages have been punched.
  10. Place a plastic binding comb onto the built-in comb opener. It should be inserted so that the solid side of the spine is against the metal prongs of the comb opener and the loops sit between them. The open side of the comb should be facing up.
  11. Gently pull the binding lever (located on the left side of the machine) forward to open the tines of the binding comb. Once the comb has been adequately opened to insert the pages of your document, release the handle to keep it in its open position.
  12. Jog your document by lightly tapping it against a table or other flat surface to align the holes. Align the punched holes with the open tines of the comb, then insert your book onto the comb (with the front cover facing down). Note: If you are binding a particularly large book, you may find that it is easier to insert the pages onto the comb if you work in smaller sets (starting from the front cover and working back).
  13. After all of the pages of your book have been inserted onto the 19-ring binding comb, push the binding lever back to its original position. This will allow the tines of the comb to close, securing the sheets within the spine.
  14. Remove the completed book by lifting it straight upward from the comb opener.

How Do I Bind with the DFG ETitanWire Wire Binding Machine?

The DFG ETitanWire wire binding machine is a 3:1 pitch wire binder that is specifically designed for high-volume use, featuring a heavy-duty electric punch, die-cast metal construction, and an innovative encased lubrication system, which helps to reduce friction and punch wear. In addition to reliability and durability, the ETitanWire also provides the utmost in versatility, with fully-disengageable dies, an open punching throat and alignment pin for accommodating large sheet sizes, and adjustable side margin and punching depth controls. Below is a step-by-step guide for binding books with the DFG ETitanWire wire binder:

  1. Before using your ETitanWire for the first time, you will need to set it up. Begin by installing the binding handle (located on the right side of the machine). Insert the cord for the foot pedal into the jack on the rear of the machine, then connect the power cord to the right side of the machine and plug the opposite end into a 110V outlet.
  2. Turn the power on using the power switch on the rear of the machine.
  3. Measure your unbound book to determine the required 3:1 twin-loop binding wire diameter. Place the book onto the machine’s base, then push down on the built-in Size Selector until it presses against the top sheet. The top of the Size Selector will indicate which wire size is most appropriate for your document.
  4. Set the punching depth based on the total thickness of your book. Use the sliding knob on the left side of the machine to set the distance between the edge of your sheet and the holes. As a general rule, thinner books utilize a smaller punch margin than do thicker books.
  5. Adjust the side margin guide by loosening the screw, positioning the guide, and tightening the screw to prevent the guide from shifting. This will allow you to center your page within the punch for increased efficiency and a more professional finish.
  6. Depending on your sheet size, you may need to disengage one or more dies in order to prevent any partially-punched holes from appearing on the edges of your document. To disengage any die, pull the corresponding pin straight back from the machine until it stops. If you need to re-engage a die that had been disengaged, push the pin back into the machine.
  7. Insert up to 28 sheets of paper (based on standard 20 lb. thickness) into the punch. To help ensure that all of your pages are punched with a consistent, uniform pattern, take care to align the pages against the back of the punch and the side guide.
  8. Press the foot pedal to electrically punch your pages, then release it and retrieve your punched sheets.
  9. Repeat steps 7 – 8, working in sets of up to 28 pages, until all sheets in your document have been punched.
  10. Adjust the wire closing mechanism based on the binding wire size that is being used. To adjust the wire closer, loosen or tighten the two knobs located at the rear of the machine. Perform a test closure with a sample wire, then fine-tune your settings as necessary.
  11. Arrange the pages of your book in order from first to last, then place the back cover face-down onto the front cover. This will allow you to hide the seam of the wire within the book after binding.
  12. Place your document onto your work table with the punched side hanging slightly off the edge. Insert the selected wire into the holes in the book, starting at one side and working toward the other.
  13. Once the wire has been completely inserted into the book, lift the book and the wire off of the table and place the wire into the wire closer. The wire should be placed so that the open side is agains the bottom of the wire closer.
  14. Pull the binding handle forward to activate the wire closer. Once the wire has been completely closed, return the handle to its upright position to release the wire and complete the bind.
  15. Lift the book out of the wire closer, then flip the back cover around to the back of the book. This will conceal the seam of the wire and result in a more polished and professional look.

How Do I Bind with the DFG EC1000 Coil Binding Machine?

The DFG EC1000 coil binding machine is a manual-punch coil binder that features a 6″ electric coil inserter for increased productivity, making it a great fit for use in offices, schools, and other medium-to-high volume binding environments. It features sturdy metal construction for years of dependability, and has a simplified control scheme that requires only minimal adjustments between projects. Below is a step-by-step guide for binding books with the DFG EC1000 coil binder:

  1. If you will be using your DFG EC1000 for the first time, you will need to begin by setting the machine up. Remove the blue knob located on the right side of the machine, then insert the punching handle so that it is in an upright position. Thread the knob through the punching handle and tighten to secure. Connect the foot pedal cord to the jack located at the back of the machine. Attach the power cord to the machine, then insert the opposite end into an outlet.
  2. Adjust the side guide so that your pages will be centered within the punch. To position the side guide, loosen the screw, slide the guide based on the size of your sheet, then lock in place by tightening the screw.
  3. Set the punching depth margin by using the sliding control located on the lower left corner of the machine. As a general guideline, thicker books should have a greater punching margin than is required for binding thin books.
  4. Measure the thickness of the book using the Size Selector to determine the recommended plastic binding coil size. Place your unbound book beneath the Size Selector, then press down until the bottom sits flush against the top of your document. The top of the Size Selector will indicate the appropriate spiral binding coil for your book.
  5. Insert up to 25 sheets (based on 20 lb. paper) into the punching throat, aligning the pages to the side margin and the back of the punch. This will help to ensure a precise punch across all of the pages in your document.
  6. Pull the punch handle toward you to punch the sheets, then return it to its original position. Remove the sheets from the punch.
  7. Repeat steps 5-6, working in sets of up to 25 pages until all of the sheets in your document have been punched.
  8. Stack the pages of your document in order, then tap them against a flat surface to jog them. Manually insert the selected binding coil into the first 4 – 5 holes.
  9. Press the foot pedal to start the roller motor. Place the coil against the spinning roller, positioning the open holes to the left side of the page and the inserted coil to the right. The coil will automatically advance through the holes as the roller spins. To speed up the binding process, you can move your book to the right as the coil is being inserted.
  10. Finish the bind by cutting and crimping the coil using a set of manual coil crimping and cutting pliers. Trim and crimp the coil on both sides of the book to secure the pages on the spine.

How Do I Bind with the DFG EC2000 Coil Binding Machine?

The DFG EC2000 coil binding machine is an all-electric coil binder designed for high-volume use, featuring heavy-duty components and professional-grade capabilities that make it a great fit for any office or industrial environment. The EC2000 is made from durable, die-cast metal and offers a wide array of user-friendly features, such as a side margin guide, an adjustable punching depth, and fully-disengageable dies. Below is a step-by-step guide for binding books with the DFG EC2000 coil binder:

  1. If this is the first time that your EC2000 is being used, then you will need to set it up. Insert the foot pedal plug into the jack located at the rear of the machine (below the power switch). Connect the power cord to the right side of the machine and to a power outlet.
  2. Set the red power switch (located at the top left corner of the back of the machine) to the “On” position.
  3. Ensure that the switch in the upper right corner at the top of the machine is set to “Punch.”
  4. Use the built-in Size Selector (located on the to the right of the disengaging pins) to determine the appropriate coil diameter for your book. Place a complete, unbound book onto the base of the machine and push the Size Selector down until it sits flush against the book. The top of the Size Selector will indicate the best binding coil diameter.
  5. Select the punch margin using the sliding switch located in the bottom left corner of the front of the machine. As a general guideline, thicker books require a larger punching margin (the amount of space between the holes and the edge of the sheet) than do thinner books.
  6. Set the side margin guide (located on the left side of the machine base) to the desired position in order to center the holes on your document. The side margin guide is easily adjusted by loosening the screw, sliding the guide, and re-tightening the screw to secure it in place.
  7. Using the guide dots printed on the machine base, disengage pins as needed in order to eliminate any partially-punched holes. Dies can be disengaged by pulling the corresponding silver pins straight out.
  8. Insert up to 22 sheets (based on 20 lb. paper) into the punch. To ensure that the holes are punched correctly, align the pages to the back of the punching throat and the side margin guide.
  9. Press the foot pedal to punch your pages, then release the pedal and remove the punched sheets.
  10. Repeat steps 7 – 8, working in sets of up to 22 pages until all pages have been punched.
  11. Set the switch on the upper right corner of the top of the machine to “Bind.”
  12. Manually insert the selected plastic binding coil into the first 4 – 5 holes of your document.
  13. Press the foot pedal to spin the electric coil inserter. Position your book so that the inserted portion of the coil is to the right and the open holes are to the left. Lightly press the coil against the spinning roller to advance the coil through the holes. You can speed up the coil inserting process by moving the book to the right while the coil is being inserted. Note: Only coils up to 7/8″ in diameter can be inserted using the EC2000’s built-in electric coil inserter. Larger coils can be used, however they will have to be inserted manually.
  14. Immediately after the coil is inserted into the last hole, pull the book away from the roller and/or release the foot pedal to stop the coil from advancing any further.
  15. Cut and crimp both ends of the binding coil using a coil crimping tool. Crimping the coils is essential for keeping the book together and preventing the coil from twisting out of the holes.

How Do I Bind with the DFG TitanCoil Coil Binding Machine?

The DFG TitanCoil coil binding machine is a user-friendly coil binder that pairs heavy-duty durability with streamlined controls for an enhanced binding experience. Featuring a powerful manual punch that is capable of punching up to 25 sheets per pull and an electric coil inserter, the TitanCoil makes coil binding fast and efficient. Below is a step-by-step guide for binding books with the DFG TitanCoil coil binder:

  1. If this is the first time that your TitanCoil is being used, then you will need to begin by installing the handle and foot pedal. To install the punch handle, remove the black knob located on the right side of the machine. Insert the punching handle into the machine so that it is in an upright position. Thread the knob through the handle and tighten to secure it in place. Connect the foot pedal to the jack on the back of the machine, then attach the power cord to the machine and the wall.
  2. Set the side guide (located on the left side of the machine base) to center the sheet for punching. The side guide can be adjusted by loosening the top screw, sliding the guide into place, and tighten the screw to keep it in the desired position.
  3. Select the punching margin (the amount of space between the punched holes and the edge of the paper) using the sliding switch on the left side of the machine. As a general rule, thicker books should use a larger punching margin than smaller books require.
  4. If necessary, disengage any dies that would leave partially-punched holes on the edge(s) of your document. To disengage a die, pull the arm that corresponds to that die straight out from the machine. To re-engage a die that had previously been disengaged, simply push the extended arm back into the machine.
  5. Determine the appropriate binding coil diameter by using the TitanCoil’s Size Selector, which is located on the right side of the face of the machine. To use the Size Selector, place your unpunched document onto the base of the machine, then push the Size Selector down until the bottom tab is flush against the top of the document. The top of the Size Selector will indicate the recommended coil diameter.
  6. Place a set of up to 25 sheets (based on standard 20 lb. paper) into the punching throat. Align the paper to the side guide and the back of the punching throat to help ensure a precise punch.
  7. Pull the punch handle forward to punch the inserted sheets. Push the handle back to its starting position to complete the punch, then remove the punched sheets from the machine.
  8. Repeat steps 6 – 7 until all pages of the document have been punched.
  9. Jog the pages of your book by tapping them onto a flat surface, then manually insert the selected spiral binding coil into the first 4 – 5 holes.
  10. Press the foot pedal to engage the electric coil inserter motor. Position your book so that the inserted section of the coil is to the right and the open holes are to the left. Lightly press the coil against the spinning roller to advance it through the open holes. If you would like to speed up the inserting process, you can move your book to the right as the coil spins through the holes. Note: The electric coil inserter can only be used with coils up to 7/8″ in diameter. Larger coils can be used with the TitanCoil, but must be inserted manually.
  11. As soon as the coil is inserted into the last hole, pull the book away from the roller and/or release the foot pedal to stop it from advancing any further. If you accidentally advance the coil too far, simply flip your book over (so that the side with the excess coil is to the right) and press it against the electric coil inserter to advance it to the desired position.
  12. To complete the bind, use a pair of coil crimping pliers to trim away the excess coil and secure the pages onto the spine.

How Do I Bind with the DFG TitanWire Wire Binding Machine?

The DFG TitanWire wire binding machine is an all-manual 3:1 pitch wire binding machine that is specially designed to stand up to heavy-duty use in offices and other high-volume binding environments. Made from sturdy, die-cast metal, the TitanWire features a number of professional-grade features – such as fully-disengageable pins, an open punching throat, and a unique encased lubrication system that dramatically reduces friction and punch wear – that set it apart from other comparably-priced wire binding machines. Below is a step-by-step guide for binding with the DFG TitanWire wire binder:

  1. If this is the first time that your TitanWire will be used, then you will need to set it up. Place both the punching and binding handles onto the right side of the machine, with the shorter handle toward the back, then insert the included screws to secure them in place.
  2. Determine the required 3:1 binding wire diameter using the built-in size selector (located on the right side of the machine). Place your unbound book below the spring-loaded size selector, then push the selector down until it rests against the top of the book. The top of the size selector will indicate the recommended wire size.
  3. Adjust the punch depth margin using the slider located on the left side of the face of the machine (immediately below the side margin guide). As a general rule, thicker books require a greater punching margin than thinner books.
  4. Set the side margin guide (located on the left side of the machine base) to ensure a centered a sheet. To adjust the side margin guide, loosen the screw that holds it in place, slide the guide to the desired position, then tighten the screw to secure it.
  5. Disengage any pins necessary in order to eliminate partially-punched holes at the ends of your document. To disengage a pin, pull the corresponding arm straight out from the front of the machine.
  6. Insert up to 28 sheets (based on 20 lb. paper) into the punching throat, aligning it to both the side margin guide and the back of the punching throat. Note: The more pages that are inserted, the more user effort that is required to punch through them. To reduce operator fatigue, it is recommended that you punch in sets of 12 – 20 sheets.
  7. Pull the punching handle forward to punch your document, then return the handle to its starting position to release it. Remove your punched pages from the machine.
  8. Repeat steps 6 – 7 until all of the pages of your document have been punched.
  9. Set the wire closer based on the size of wire that is being used. Close a test wire to confirm that the settings are satisfactory, making any necessary adjustments before attempting to close the wire on your book.
  10. Arrange the pages of your document so that they are in order from first to last, then place the back cover onto the front cover face down. This will allow you to hide the seam of the wire after binding for a more professional finish.
  11. Place the document on the edge of your work table, so that the punched holes hang slightly over. Working from one side to the other, insert the selected wire into the holes. Once the loops have been inserted through all of the holes, turn the wire so that the loops reach completely through the book.
  12. Lift the book and the wire off of the table, then insert the wire into the wire closer. The wire should be positioned so that the open side sits flush against the bottom of the wire closer.
  13. Using even pressure, pull the wire closer handle to close the wire. Return the handle to its starting position to release the book.
  14. Remove the book from the wire closer by lifting it straight up. Turn the back cover to the back of the book to hide the wire seam and complete the binding process.

How Do I Bind with the DFG ETitanCoil Coil Binding Machine?

The DFG ETitanCoil coil binding machine is a heavy-duty coil binder that offers electric punching and coil inserting capabilities for increased productivity in high-volume binding environments. With its fully-disengageable punching dies and open throat design, the ETitanCoil can easily accommodate a wide range of sheet sizes, making it as versatile as it is durable. In addition to its sturdy, die-cast metal construction and robust, 25-page punching capacity, this model also features a unique enclosed lubrication system, which keeps the punch running smoothly without exposing your documents to any lubricants. Below is a step-by-step guide to binding books with the DFG ETitanCoil coil binder:

  1. If this is the first time that your ETitanCoil will be used, you will need to assemble it prior to binding. Insert the foot pedal plug into the jack located on the back of the machine (below the power switch). Connect the power cord to the right side of the machine, then plug the other end of the cord into a power outlet.
  2. Turn the power switch (located on the back of the machine) to the on position.
  3. Prepare the machine for punching by setting the switch located on the top right corner of the machine to the “Punch” position.
  4. Determine the required coil binding spine size by using the built-in size selector. Place your complete, unbound document onto the machine base, then push the size selector down until the bottom tab rests against the top sheet of your book. The top of the size selector will indicate the recommended coil size based on the thickness of your document.
  5. Adjust the punching margin by using the sliding control knob located on the left side of the machine (immediately above the side margin control). As a general guideline, the thicker the book, the larger the punching margin.
  6. Set the side margin so that the holes will be centered on your sheet. To position the side margin, loosen the screw on the side margin guide, slide it into the desired place, then tighten the screw to prevent it from moving.
  7. Disengage dies as necessary to prevent any partially-punched holes from appearing along the ends of your document. To disengage a die, pull the corresponding silver arm straight out from the machine until it stops. To resume punching with a previously-disengaged die, push the arm back into the machine.
  8. Insert up to 25 sheets (based on 20 lb. paper) into the punching throat. Be sure to align your pages against the side margin guide and the back of the punch, as this will help to prevent misaligned holes.
  9. Press the foot pedal to punch the inserted pages. Release the foot pedal and slide your punched sheets out of the punch.
  10. Repeat steps 8 – 9 until all of the pages of your document have been punched.
  11. Prepare the machine for binding by setting the switch located on the top right corner of the machine to “Bind.”
  12. Arrange the pages of your book so that they are in order, then jog the book by lightly tapping it against a flat surface to align all of the pages. 
  13. Manually insert the plastic binding coil into the first 4 – 5 holes of the book.
  14. Press the foot pedal to activate the roller motor. Position the book so that the coil is to the right and the holes are to the left. Lightly press the coil against the roller to begin advancing it through the holes. To make the coil inserting process even faster, you can move the book to the right while the coil is spinning. Note: The electric coil inserter can only be used with coils up to 7/8″ in diameter. Larger coils can be used to bind your books, however they will need to be inserted manually.
  15. As soon as the coil passes through the last hole, release the foot pedal and/or move the coil away from the roller to prevent it from advancing too far. If your coil does feed beyond the end of your book, you can flip it over and use the electric coil inserter to feed it back to the desired position.
  16. Use a coil crimping tool to trim away the excess coil and crimp both ends of the coil. This will prevent the coil from twisting out of your finished book.

DFG Office ECoil46 Coil Binding Machine Review

The DFG Office ECoil46 coil binding machine is a compact binder that is capable of creating coil-bound books up to 20mm thick (approximately 172 pages of 20 lb. paper) using a manual punching mechanism and an electric inserter. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the features offered by the Office ECoil46 and provide some insight on the applications for which it is suitable.

Punching

The Office ECoil46 from Digital Finishing Group (DFG) is a 4:1 pitch coil binder (four holes per inch) that has a manual punching mechanism with a 15-sheet punching capacity. It has a 11″ maximum punching length, but features an open throat with an alignment pin to accommodate larger document sizes (up to 21″ in length). With 46 fully-disengageable pins, the Office ECoil46 eliminates partially-punched holes on any document size, including specialty papers.

For added precision, the DFG ECoil46 has a built-in side margin guide that helps to ensure perfectly-centered holes on every document, regardless of length. It also has an adjustable depth margin for increased durability and a polished finish on both thick and thin books, because it allows you to set the amount of space between the holes and the edge of the sheet.

Binding

The DFG Office ECoil46 has 6″ electric coil inserter built into the top of the machine, which dramatically increases binding productivity. The inserter itself is a rubber roller that is activated by a foot pedal and advances the coil through the holes in the document as it spins. To use the coil inserter, begin by threading the coil through the first few holes of your document by hand. Use the foot pedal to engage the inserter motor and place the coil spine against the roller so that it spins the coil and feeds it through the holes in your book. To finish the bind, use a pair of coil crimping pliers to trim the excess from the ends of the book and add a crimp to secure the pages in place. The electric coil inserter is capable of inserting 4:1 pitch coils up to 20mm (3/4″) in diameter (larger coils can be inserted manually).

Coil-bound books offer a number of unique features as compared to other traditional binding styles, such as the ability to turn pages 360 degrees. Documents bound with coils also lay flat when opened, which makes coils a preferred binding method for coursebooks, presentations, and reports since they allow for easy note-taking.

In Review

Coil binding is one of the most popular binding methods for businesses and organizations of all types, because it offers variety and durability at an affordable price point. For those looking for a cost-effective binding machine for light-duty binding, the DFG Office ECoil46 is a great choice. The manual punching feature helps to keep the machine’s cost low, while the electric coil inserter helps to increase binding productivity. The ECoil46 has fully-disengageable pins and an open punching throat, so it can accommodate virtually any paper size with ease. Although it won’t stand up to high-volume usage in a production environment, the DFG Office ECoil46 would make an excellent addition to any home, small office, or school with low-volumen coil binding needs.