The SircleBind CB-230 comb binding machine with 3-hole punch is a heavy-duty comb binder that offers a comprehensive range of professional-quality features at an office-friendly price. The CB-230 has a unique, full-length handle design that provides maximum punching force with minimal effort and converts to a standard handle for punching over-sized documents. In addition to manually comb-binding books up to 2″ thick (approximately 425 pages based on 20 lb. paper), this versatile model also performs 3-hole punching on up to 20 sheets at a time. Below is a step-by-step guide to binding with the SircleBind CB-230 comb binder with 3-hole punch:
- If you are using the CB-230 for the first time, you will need to assemble it before use. Remove the left and right screws from the base of the machine, then remove the screw from the right side of the handle. Pull the handle apart into two separate pieces and insert them into the sides of the machine. The longer side of the handle should be place on the left and the shorter side of the handle should be inserted on the right. Fit the handles together so that they form a solid bar, then thread and tighten the three screws into the left and right sides of the base as well as the right side of the handle. Lift the paper guide up to complete the set-up process.
- Begin the binding process by determining the appropriate plastic binding comb size. Use the comb guage located on the front left corner of the machine to measure the thickness of your document and identify the recommended comb size.
- Adjust the punch slot guide using the sliding control located on the right side of the machine. To punch letter-sized sheets, slide the control upward. By sliding the control downward, you can punch extra-large sheet sizes.
- Move the side margin control as nececessary to match the size of the paper that will be punched. For letter-sized sheets, align the guide to the “LTR” line.
- Set the punching depth using the sliding control located on the right side of the machine. Push it toward the left if your comb is 1/4″ – 15/32″ in diameter. Push it toward the right if your comb is 1/2″ – 2″ in diameter.
- Insert up to 20 pages (based on 20 lb. paper) into the rear punching slot and align them against the side margin stopper.
- Pull the punching lever down with both hands to punch the sheets. Return the lever to its upright position and remove the punched sheets.
- Continue punching your document in 20-sheet sets until all pages have been punched.
- To bind your document, begin by placing the binding comb onto the comb opener. The solid back of the comb should be placed against the Metal Comb-Holding Fingers so the the loops of the comb are between the fingers and the open side is facing up.
- Pull the Plastic Comb Opening Lever (located on the left side of the machine) forward to open the comb. Once the comb has been sufficiently opened to begin inserting the pages of your document, release the lever to keep the comb in its open position.
- Insert your document onto the comb by aligning the holes in the paper with the prongs of the comb. The pages should be inserted face-down, beginning with the front cover and working backwards. If binding a particularly large book, it may be easier to insert the pages onto the comb in smaller sets.
- After all of the pages have been inserted onto the comb, push the Plastic Comb Opening Lever back to its starting position in order to close the comb.
- Lift the book straight up and off of the comb opener to complete the binding process.