The Akiles CoilMac-M coil binding machine is a cost-effective, all-manual coil binder that is built for heavy-duty use. The CoilMac-M is offered in two varieties – standard and Plus – which both have the same all-metal construction, user-friendly design, and 20-sheet punching capacity. Unlike the standard model which has 4mm round holes and five disengageable dies, the CoilMac-M41+ has 4mm x 5mm oval holes (for easier coil insertion and page turning) and fully-disengageable pins. Below is a step-by-step guide to binding books with the Akiles CoilMac-M coil binding machine (note: instructions below apply to both versions):
- If this is your first time using your CoilMac-M, begin by assembling it. Place it onto a sturdy, flat work surface and remove the screw from the punching axle (located on the right side of the machine). Insert the punching handle onto the axle in a vertical position. Thread the screw through the handle and the axle, then tighten the screw in a counterclockwise direction. Attach the coil inserting table onto the front of the machine or place it alongside, whichever is more convenient for your usage.
- Use the coil size guide to determine the correct depth margin and coil diameter based on the thickness of your document. To adjust the depth margin, use the depth margin control knob located on the right side of the machine. Simultaneously press and turn the knob to set the margin. The knob will pop back out when released if the margin adjustment has been completed. If it does not pop out, simply rotate it back and forth slightly until it does so.
- Jog all of the sheets of your document (including the covers) by tapping them lightly on a table or other flat surface. Holding your document firmly with the front cover facing toward you and the holes along the bottom side, insert it onto the prongs of the open comb. When binding large documents, you may find it easier to divide the sheets into a few smaller sets to insert them (beginning with the front cover and working backward).
- Use the punch throat roler and side margin control to center the punch based on the size of your document. Disengage dies as necessary to eliminate any partially-punched holes along the edges of your pages. It is recommended that you punch a test sheet to verify that you have properly adjusted your machine before attempting to punch your document.
- Jog your document, insert up to 20 sheets (based on 20 lb. paper) into the throat of the machine, and pull the handle toward you to punch the pages. Return the handle to its upright position and pull your punched pages out of the machine.
- If your document is 14″ or longer, make sure that all dies are fully engaged and align the sheets as indicated on the punch throat ruler. Insert up to 20 sheets and pull the handle forward to activate the punching mechanism. Return the handle to its upright position and remove the paper from the punching throat. Flip the document over and insert it from the right-hand side of the machine, aligning one of the holes with the alignment pin. Pull the handle again to punch the remainder of the document. Return the handle to its upright position and retrieve your document from the punching throat.
- Repeat until all of the pages of your document have been punched.
- Jog all of the pages of your punched document together and lay them onto the coil inserting table. Align the document so that the first and fourth holes fit onto the coil inserting guides and begin inserting your binding coil from the right side. Once you reach the final holes, remove the document from the inserting guides and finish inserting the coil.
- Use a pair of coil crimping pliers to trim away any excess and crimp each end of the coil to secure the pages of your book in place.