How Do I Edit Books Using the Fastback 20 Binding Machine?

The Powis Parker Fastback 20 binding machine turns your printed reports and presentations into sleek and durable bound books using innovative Fastback binding strips. While books bound with Fastback strips are permanent, you do have the ability to make minor edits to books that you have previously bound using the Fastback 20. Below is a step-by-step guide to editing bound documents with the Fastback Model 20:

Begin by selecting the “Edit” option on the Main Menu. You will be guided through the following prompts:

  1. Insert New Page. Open your book flat and fold down the corner of the sheet that you want to replace. Insert the sheet that you want to add to the book immediately behind the sheet it is replacing, positioning it as close to the adhesive as possible (but not completely flush).
  2. Push Bind Button. Place your document into the binding channel, aligning it to the right side. Press the “BIND” button.
  3. Pinch Page Sections. During binding, pinch the front and back sections of the book so that the page with the folded corner is free.
  4. Remove Page. When the book clams open, immediately remove the folded page. With the document still in the binder, grab the folded corner and apply firm, uniform pressure as you peel it away from the spine working from left to right.
  5. Tap Down New Page. Tap along the top edge of the replacement page to ensure that it is even with the rest of the sheets in your document.
  6. Put Book in Cooling Rack. Lift the edited book out of the binding channel and place it into the Cooling Rack with the spine side down. Allow the book to cool for 2 – 3 minutes before removing it from the Cooling Rack, then allow it to cool for an additional 2 – 3 minutes before opening it.

Note: If the page that you are removing does not lift out easily on the first attempt, repeat steps 2 – 6.

How Do I Maintain My Fastback 20 Binding Machine?

Known for its ease of use, the Fastback 20 binding machine from Powis Parker is one of the most popular professional thermal binding systems on the market today. In addition to its user-friendly operation, the Fastback Model 20 is also very easy to maintain. Generally, you will only need to perform maintenance when adhesive build-up is visible on an operating part or when a strip has become jammed inside the machine. In this post, we’ll cover the steps for basic maintenance on the Fastback 20.

Cleaning the Two Red Heat Platens

Note: In the Main Menu, navigate to Instructions, then Cleaning. The display screen will then guide you through the steps for cleaning the platens and back-up bars.

  1. Turn the power switch to the Off position and allow the machine to cool for five minutes before cleaning.
  2. Remove any books that are in the Cooling Rack.
  3. Open the cover of the machine by pushing the eraser end of a pencil (or another similar object) through the hole located on the lower right corner of the machine until the cover pops open slightly.
  4. Lift the cover until the latch engages and the cover is held in the upright position. Note: Use caution when the cover is open, as other internal parts aside from the platens may be very hot.
  5. While wearing the included heat-protective glove, wipe the top side of the heating platens with a clean, dry, cotton cloth that has been dampened with the cleaning solution provided in your Accessory Pack. The surfaces should be wiped lengthwise until they are clean. If there is a large amount of adhesive build-up, you can also remove it by peeling it away from the cooled platen using a wooden ice cream stick. Do not use anything abrasive or made of metal to clean the platens, as they would scratch the coated red surfaces.
  6. Move the right rear belt to raise the front platen until it is level with the stationary rear platen. Rotate the large black gear located on the left until the underside of the platen is exposed. Following the same technique described in step 5, clean all exposed red surfaces along with the silver deflector plate that is attached at the bottom of the front platen.
  7. After you have finished cleaning the front platen, return it to its original position.
  8. Close the machine by releasing the left real lever and pressing down on both sides of the cover until the latch clicks and the cover locks in position.

Cleaning the Back-up Bars

Note: The back-up bars are positioned under the top cover and may, over time, accumulate adhesive. Use caution when cleaning the bars as they may be hot; wear the heat-protective glove that was included with your machine if necessary.

  1. Set the power switch to the “Off” position and wait five minutes to allow the machine to cool.
  2. Remove any books that are sitting in the Cooling Rack.
  3. To open the machine, push the eraser end of a pencil (or other similar object) into the hole located on the lower right corner of the machine until the cover pops open slightly.
  4. Lift the cover up until the latch engages and the cover is held open. Note: Use caution while the cover is open as internal parts may be very hot.
  5. To clean the front back-up bar, pull it toward you while simultaneously pushing back on the rear bar. While wearing the heat-protective glove, wipe the surfaces of the bar with a clean, soft cloth that has been dampened with the Cleaning Solution that was included in your Accessory Pack.
  6. To clean the rear back-up bar, pull the bar toward you while simultaneously pushing back on the front bar. Clean rear bar using the same technique described in step 5.
  7. Close the machine by releasing the rear lever and pressing down on both sides of the cover. Once the latch has clicked and the cover is locked in position, the machine is ready for use.

6 Tips for Binding Books with Your Fastback 20 Binding Machine

The Fastback 20 binding system from Powis Parker is one of the most user-friendly thermal binding machines on the market, allowing even novice operators to create professional-looking bound documents in only 20 seconds with just the push of a button. In this post, we share six tips that will help make binding with the Fastback 20 as efficient as possible.

  1. Ensuring that the edges of all of the pages of your document are evenly-aligned before binding is key to creating a book that is durable and strong. Before inserting your document into the Fastback 20, firmly tap the binding edge against a flat, hard surface a few times. If you notice that your pages are uneven after you have inserted them into the binding channel and activated the book clamp, simply press the “OPEN” button to release the clamp. Jog the pages of your book and re-insert them into the machine before pressing the green “BIND” button again.
  2. The grain of your paper may impact the quality of your bind. For best results, the grain of the paper should run parallel to the binding edge. Paper that has a grain that runs parallel to the long edge of a sheet (i.e. the 11″ side of a letter-sized sheet) is referred to as being “grain long.” If the grain runs parallel to the short side of the paper (i.e. the 8-1/2″ side of a letter-sized sheet), the sheet is referred to as being “grain short.” A sheet of paper will flex more easily along the direction of its grain. Most standard copy paper is grain long, so it should work well with the Fastback 20. If you are binding with a new type of paper for the first time, it is recommended that you determine the grain and perform some test binds before doing any large production runs.
  3. Index tabs are a great way to divide the content of books. Tab dividers can be used in conjunction with the Fasback 20 binding machine, but not all styles are compatible. Many paper tabs work well, however most varieties with plastic or mylar reinforcements along the along the binding edge will not properly adhere to the adhesive used on Fastback binding strips. Contact your Fastback dealer for advice on which tabs to use with your book. It is highly recommended that you perform some test binds before doing any large projects using tab dividers.
  4. In order to allow the pages of your book to adhere to the spine, it is important that you allow the book to cool for 2 – 3 minutes after binding. The book should be placed in the cooling rack with the spine side down. Though the document can be moved out of the cooling rack after 2 – 3 minutes, it is recommended that you wait at least 5 minutes before opening it to ensure that the glue has time to set. Once set, the pages of a book bound using Super Strips can resist up to 50 lbs. of pull.
  5. Unlike books bound with traditional plastic coils or binding combs, Fastback-bound documents are completely recycleable. The adhesives that are used in the strips are environmentally-neutral, which means that they will not pollute landfills or water tables. Furthermore, the strips themselves are paper-based, making them a far more ecologically-sound binding option than plastic-based spines.
  6. Color copies that are made from older-model copy machines that use fuser oil may not bind well using the Fastback Model 20. Fuser oil and some specialty digital paper types can be difficult to adhere to, so they must be prepared with the Powis Parker Splitter Machine prior to binding. The splitter creates small slices in the binding edge of the paper, allowing the glue to penetrate the fibers and form a durable bind.

How Do I Make a Perfectback Book with the Fastback 20 Binding Machine?

You are probably aware that the Fastback 20 binding system from Powis Parker can be used to create both hardcover and softcover books using external thermal binding strips, but did you know that it can also create paperback-style books using wraparound covers? With Fastback Perfectback strips, you can create professional-looking paperback books, where the front cover, spine, and back cover are all a single piece of stock.

Perfectback-TA strips are similar to Super Strips in that they are made with thermally-activated adhesive, however the Perfectback-TA strips have a release liner in place of the decorate paper used on Super Strips. After the Perfectback-TA strip is applied to your document, the release liner is removed and the book is placed within a pre-scored cover. From there, the book is run through an additional binding cycle that will melt the adhesive and fuse the pages to the cover.

In addition to the Fastback 20 binding machine and Perfectback binding strips, you will also need a Powis Parker Scorer in order to crease your cover and prepare it for binding. The Powis Parker Scorer is specifically designed to work in conjunction with Fastback binding machines, and allows you to easily and consistently score covers for books up to 1-1/2″ thick.

Below is a step-by-step guide for binding a Perfectback book using the Fastback 20 and Perfectback-TA strips:

  1. Begin by going into the Settings and selecting “Cover Binding,” then “ON.”
  2. Arrange the inner pages of your document, then tap them repeatedly against a flat surface in order to align the edges. Place the book into the binding channel, sliding it to the right until it is flush against the side of the machine.
  3. Ensure that your pages are still aligned, then press the green “BIND” button to activate the book clamp. The machine will then measure the thickness of your book and indicate the proper strip width on the display screen located at the front of the machine.
  4. Insert the indicated size of Perfectback-TA strip into the guide on the right of the machine. The strip should be inserted with the adhesive side facing up.
  5. The binding cycle will begin automatically once the binding strip is pulled into the machine. The binding cycle will last approximately 15 – 20 seconds, after which the book clamps will open. Remove your book from the binding channel and place it into the cooling rack for 2 – 3 minutes. Note: The book should be placed directly against the cooling rack. If other books are already in the cooling rack, the new document should be placed at the back of the stack, not in front of it.
  6. While your book is cooling, prepare your cover. Ensure that it is more than large enough to wrap around your entire document on all sides. Next, you’ll need to score the cover to create creases that will allow it to bend and form the spine. For best results, it is recommended that you score with the image side of your cover facing up. Use the Powis Parker Scorer to score the cover along both edges of the spine, then place a third score near the spine on the front cover to allow it to open more easily.
  7. After the cover has been scored, make sure that the scores are placed the same distance apart as the width of the spine of your book. Gently fold your cover at the scores.
  8. Remove your document from the cooling rack, then peel off the release liner, working from one side of the book to the other.
  9. Place your document into the folded cover, ensuring that the front cover and the spine edge correspond with the front of your document.
  10. Insert the book into the binding channel, then press the green “BIND” button to close the book clamp.
  11. As soon as the book clamp opens, remove the book from the machine and tap the spine against a flat surface to ensure that the inner pages are firmly adhered to the cover. Note: If, after cooling, you find the pages of your book have not set straight, use the “EDIT” mode to re-melt the adhesive and then tap the book against a flat surface to straighten the pages.
  12. Place the finished book into the cooling rack with the spine side down and allow it to cool for 2 – 3 minutes. Note: For best results, the book should be placed directly against the cooling rack while it cools. If there are other books already in the cooling rack, the new book should be placed at the back of the stack.
  13. Use a stack cutter to trim the edges of the book as desired.

Can I Bind Books with Unusual Dimensions Using the Fastback 20 Binding System?

The Fastback 20 binding system is a versatile and effective thermal binding solution from Powis Parker that uses pre-cut binding strips to create books in as little as 20 seconds. Fastback Super Strips are available in a rainbow of eye-catching colors, three widths (narrow, medium, and wide), and two standard lengths (8-1/2″ and 11″ – note: 14″ strips are also available as a special order). Each strip length corresponds directly to the length of the book that is being bound – the 8-1/2″ strip can only be used to bind 8-1/2″ documents, and the 11″ strip can only be used to bind 11″ documents. Luckily, the Fastback 20 system can be used to bind books that have other spine lengths. Below is a step-by-step guide to binding non-standard document sizes using the Fastback Model 20.

  1. Carefully cut the Super Strip to match the length of the binding edge of your document. It is important that one side of the strip retains the small adhesive gap created during manufacturing, so make your cut along one end of the strip only.
  2. Jog the pages of your book by tapping them against a hard, flat surface, then place them into the binding channel. Ensure that the book is flush against the right side of the machine.
  3. Press the green “BIND” button to close the book clamps. The clamps will measure the thickness of your book and determine the ideal Super Strip width, which will be displayed on the panel located at the front of the machine. Note: If the pages of your book are misaligned, press the “OPEN” button to unclamp them and straighten as necessary. Press the “BIND” button to clamp the pages again.
  4. Insert your pre-cut binding strip into the guide located on the right side of the machine. The strip should be inserted with the adhesive gap first and the adhesive side up. Inserting the edge with the adhesive gap first will help to prevent adhesive from leaking into the machine. The binding cycle will begin automatically once the strip has been pulled into the machine.
  5. In approximately 15 – 20 seconds, the binding cycle will finish and the machine will beep. Move your book from the binding channel to the cooling rack, allowing it to cool in the rack for 2 – 3 minutes. You should wait at least 5 minutes before opening the book to allow the adhesive to set completely.

How Do I Maintain Rhin-O-Tuff Punching Dies?

Rhin-O-Tuff punching dies are among the most durable and well-engineered dies on the market, featuring all-metal construction and easily-replaceable pins. To help ensure clean, precise punching and extend the life of your die assembly, it is recommended that you lightly oil the pins periodically. Below are step-by-step instructions for lubricating the pins in your Rhin-O-Tuff die assembly: 

  1. Loosen the die knobs and slide the die assembly out of the machine.
  2. Apply a small amount of machine oil onto a clean cloth.
  3. With the die assembly resting on its side (so that the pins are accessible), use the cloth to apply a light coat of oil to each pin.
  4. Use a second cloth to wipe away any excess oil from each pin.
  5. Insert the oiled die assembly into the machine.
  6. Tighten both die knobs evenly to lock the die assembly in place.
  7. Insert a few pages of scrap paper into the punching throat and punch through them to remove any excess oil.

How Do I Change Dies on My Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 Modular Binding Machine?

The Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding machine is a powerful and easy-to-use binding punch that combines versatility with performance. The manual punch is capable of punching up to 12 sheets per pull, and can be used with any of the 12 standard dies offered by Rhin-O-Tuff. In addition to its user-friendly operation, the OD4800 has been designed for fast and easy die changes without any tools necessary. Below is a step-by-step guide to changing dies on the Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding punch:

  1. If a die has already been loaded into the OD4800, then you will need to begin by removing it. Loosen the two die lock knobs (located on the right and left sides of the front of the machine), then slide the die out of the left side of the die slot.
  2. Clear any debris or paper dust from the die slot.
  3. Insert the desired die into the opening on the left and slide it until it is flush with the right side of the machine. Ensure that the punch pin retainer slides into the pusher bar slot.
  4. Tighten the two die lock knobs evenly until the die assembly is secured within the die slot. The inserted die is now ready to use.

How Do I Remove Punch Pins on My Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 Modular Binding Machine?

The Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding machine is a heavy-duty, manual binding punch that uses interchangeable punching dies to create up to 12 punch patterns. Made with a durable metal casing and metal gears, the OD4800 is designed for medium-to-high volume binding environments, such as schools and offices. Below is a step-by-step guide to removing punch pins from the die assemblies for the Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding punch:

  1. Punch a test sheet to identify which pins need to be removed. Any pins that leave partially-punched holes along the ends of your sheet should be removed to provide a more professional finish to your document.
  2. Loosen the die knobs located on each side of the front of the machine, then slide the die assembly out from the left side of the die slot.
  3. Set the die assembly down onto a flat surface so that the pin capture bar is facing up.
  4. Push down lightly on the pin capture bar and pull it away from the pin retainer to expose the punch pins.
  5. Remove the desired pins and set them aside.
  6. Replace the pin capture bar by lightly pushing down on the pin retainer and sliding it in place.
  7. Slide the die assembly into the machine, starting from the left side of the die slot and stopping when the right side of the die is flush with the right side of the machine.
  8. Tighten the die knobs evenly to secure the die assembly in place.

When you punch through your sheets, the pins that were removed will not create holes. You can re-insert pins that you have previously removed by sliding the die assembly out of the machine, pulling the pin capture away from the pin retainer, and replacing the pins. Once the desired pins have been inserted, put the pin capture back in place and slide the die back into the machine.

How Do I Attach the Handle onto My Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 Modular Binding Machine?

The Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding machine is a heavy-duty, manual binding punch that uses interchangeable dies to achieve a wide range of common and specialized punch patterns. Because it offers users the versatility of being able to select between a variety of punching styles, the OD4800 is a budget-friendly and space-saving alternative to investing in multiple stand-alone binding systems. Below is a step-by-step guide to attaching the handle onto the Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 modular binding punch:

  1. Remove the handle from the packaging material and remove the nut, washer, and bolt assembly.
  2. Position the handle so the the black grip extends to the right of the machine.
  3. Slide the handle onto the crankshaft, located on the right side of the machine. The holes in the handle should align with the holes in the crankshaft.
  4. Insert the bolt completely through the holes in the handle and the crankshaft, then place the washer and nut onto the threaded end of the bolt.
  5. Tighten the nut using two 3/8″ wrenches so that it is secure and the handle does not feel loose on the crankshaft.

Troubleshooting Your Rhin-O-Tuff 3250CL Coil Binding Machine

Specifically designed for office-use, the Rhin-O-Tuff 3250CL coil binding machine is a streamlined, easy-to-use coil binder that is made with heavy-duty components. This user-friendly binding system has only two buttons – one that operates the electric punching mechanism and another that activates the coil inserting roller. Below are helpful tips for troubleshooting the most common problems experienced while using the Rhin-O-Tuff coil binder:

Problem:

  • The machine will not punch holes through the inserted paper.

Possible Solutions:

  • Check that the power cord is plugged into a wall outlet.
  • Set the power switch to the “on” position. The power switch is located on the back of the machine, next to the fuse and the power cord.
  • Ensure that the wall outlet has power by testing it with another piece of equipment. If the selected outlet is not functioning as expected, you’ll need to repair it and/or move the machine to another outlet.

Problem:

  • The holes are punched through the edge of the sheets.

Possible Solutions:

  • If debris has collected within the punching throat, it may prevent the document from being completely inserted. Clear any waste from the punch, then re-insert your document and press the punch button.
  • When placing your sheets into the punch, make sure that they sit flush against the bottom of the throat before punching.

Problem:

  • The holes are not centered on the sheet.

Possible Solution:

  • After inserting your pages, slide them to the left so that they rest against the paper stop. This will center the pages withing the punching throat.

Problem:

  • The punching mechanism will not punch completely through the inserted sheets.

Possible Solutions:

  • It is possible that the machine has been overloaded. Remove a few sheets from the back of the stack, then press the punch button again to punch the remaining sheets.
  • The 3250CL can punch a maximum of 25 sheets at a time (based on 20 lb. paper). If you are punching thick cardstock or plastic covers, you should punch no more than 2 sheets at a time.

Problem:

  • The punching mechanism has stopped with the pins still in the paper and will not retract them.

Possible Solution:

  • Turn the machine power switch to the “off” position and unplug the power cord from the wall. Remove the black cap that is located on the right side plate. Using a flat-head screwdriver, rotate the exposed shaft counter-clockwise to manually retract the punch pins from the paper. Continue until all of the pins are completely retracted, then replace the black cap and remove the sheets from the machine.

Problem:

  • The spiral binding coil will not spin into the book when pressed against the electric coil inserter.

Possible Solutions:

  • Jog the book by tapping it against a table or other flat surface to ensure that the holes are all evenly aligned.
  • Use the book former (the channel located immediately in front of the coil inserter) to align the pages of the book along a slight curve. This will make inserting the coil easier, especially when binding thick books.

Problem:

  • The coil crimping pliers will not crimp the coil after binding.

Possible Solution:

  • Before crimping, ensure that the red dot is facing up when the pliers are held in the palm of your hand. The book should be held horizontally with the side to be crimped to the right. Turn the pliers horizontally and insert them into the coil. Hold the coil firmly between your thumb and forefinger, then squeeze the handle until the coil is crimped and cut.