Troubleshooting Your Fellowes Quasar 130 Wire Binding Machine

The Quasar 130 wire binding machine from Fellowes is a compact wire binder that’s small enough to fit on a desktop but powerful enough to meet the demands of a small office. Below are a few helpful hints for troubleshooting occasional problems with your Quasar 130 wire binder:


Problem:

  • Punched holes are not centered on the sheets after they are punched.

Possible Solution:

  • This is an indication that the side guide has not been properly set for the sheet size of your document. Simply adjust the side guide until the hole pattern is positioned correctly, with the holes centered on the document.

Problem:

  • The machine will not punch your document.

Possible Solutions:

  • If your waste tray is too full, it may block the punching dies and prevent them from piercing your document. The waste tray is located underneath the machine and can be accessed from the right side. For the best results, be sure to empty the waste tray regularly.
  • Check for blockage within the punching throat itself. Clear any obstructions, reinsert your document, and try punching the pages again.

Problem:

  • The holes are not being punched parallel to the edge of the document.

Possible Solution:

  • This may indicate that there is debris stuck below the punching dies that is preventing the pages from being fully inserted into the punching throat. Slide a piece of stiff cardboard into the punching throat and move it sideways to release any stray clippings into the waste tray.

Problem:

  • My document has partially-punched holes at the ends of the sheets.

Possible Solution:

  • The sheets are not properly aligned with the punching dies. Adjust the side guide and punch scrap sheets until the partial holes are eliminated.

Problem:

  • The holes are not being punched cleanly or edges of the punched holes are damaged.

Possible Solutions:

  • This is usually a sign that you are overloading the machine. The Fellowes Quasar 130 wire binding machine has a 15-sheet punch capacity (based on regular 20 lb. paper). If you are using thicker paper, you will need to reduce the number of sheets to stay within the punch capacity.
  • If the damaged holes are occurring when you punch a plastic binding cover, then try placing the cover between sheets of paper before punching it. This may help the cover to punch more cleanly.

Problem:

  • Debris from punching documents is falling out of the waste tray.

Possible Solutions:

  • The waste tray may not be correctly inserted. Check that the waste tray is empty and that there is no debris that will stop the tray from being fully inserted into the machine, and reinsert the tray.
  • The “burst feature” may have been activated. Empty the waste tray and ensure that the “burst feature” is closed.

Problem:

  • The pages of the document come loose and fall off of the wire after binding.

Possible Solution:

  • If your document falls apart after it has been bound, then your wire binding spine has most likely not been closed properly. There should be no gap between the two ends of a wire that has been sufficiently closed. If your wire has a gap, simple place it into the wire closer again and re-close it.

How Do I Bind with the CombMac-24E Comb Binding Machine?

Designed for high-volume production environments, the CombMac-24E electric comb binding machine from Akiles can produce hundreds of bound documents per hour with ease. It offers a full range of features – including fully-disengageable pins, an open throat (for oversized documents), and a reverse switch to aid in jam clearing – at a price point that is thousands less than comparable competitors’ machines. Below is an overview of how to bind a document using the Akiles CombMac-24E:

  1. Start by adjusting the Depth Margin Control knob according to the diameter of your binding comb. To change the setting, simply push the knob in and turn it so that the indicator points to the appropriate diameter. Note: For easy page turning, make sure that you always use the correct depth margin when you punch your document. It is recommended that you use a comb that is at least 1/8″ (3mm) larger than the thickness of your document.
  2. Align the Side Margin Control to match the size of your document. Note: If you are using letter-sized covers with rounded corners (which measure 11-1/4″ on the long side to accommodate the round corners), then you will need to use separate side margins for the inner sheets and the covers themselves.
  3. Pull out the disengageable pins as necessary to avoid punching any partial holes.
  4. Tap your documents against your working surface to align the edges (or use a paper jogger for high-volume jobs), and insert them into the punching throat. The CombMac-24E has a 23-sheet punch capacity (based on regular 20lb. paper; capacity will vary if other paper thicknesses or cover stocks are used). If your document includes more than 15 pages, you will need to punch it in 23-sheet sets. Note: Although the CombMac-24E is capable of punching 23 sheets in a single punch, it is recommended that you punch 15 sheets at a time to help extend the life of the motor.
  5. Press the foot pedal to activate the electric punch. Note: If the punching throat is overloaded, the punching action will stop automatically. In this instance, press the Reverse Button located at the rear of the machine repeatedly until all of the dies have returned to their original position. Once the dies have retracted, pull out some of the sheets and press the foot pedal again to reactivate the electric punch.
  6. Place your comb behind the Comb Binding Fingers so that the open side faces upward.
  7. Gently pull the Comb Binding Handle forward to open the comb. Release the handle once the spine is opened sufficiently to allow the pages and covers to be inserted.
  8. Align the holes in the document with the prongs of the binding comb and insert the pages with the front cover facing toward you.
  9. Once all of the pages have been placed onto the comb, return the Comb Binding Handle to the starting position.
  10. Lift your completed document straight off of the machine.

Three Helpful Tips for Binding With Your Fastback 11 Binding Machine

The Fastback 11 thermal binding machine from Powis Parker is one of the most intelligent and powerful thermal binders on the market today. If offers a wide range of robust features, and is capable of creating professional-level bound documents with surprisingly little effort. Below are three tips to help you achieve the best binding results with your Fastback 11 binding machine:

  1. One of the easiest and most effective ways to ensure that your bind is secure and attractive is to ensure that the sheets are evenly aligned. If you are doing a large volume of documents, you may find it easiest to use a paper jogger to even the edges of your sheet. For smaller runs, simply tap the documents against the top of the machine repeatedly until all of the sheets are even. The Fastback 11 machine is designed for years of use in a production environment, so don’t be afraid to tap the document vigorously against the top of the machine to align the pages.
  2. Like fabric, paper has a uni-directional grain that consists of the fibers that make up the paper. You will achieve the best binding results by binding your documents so that the grain of the paper runs parallel to the binding edge. Paper that has the grain running parallel to the long edge of the sheet (the 11″ side) is said to be “grain long,” while paper that has the grain running parallel to the short edge of the sheet (the 8-1/2″ side) is said to be “grain short.” Generally speaking, most standard copy paper is grain long, so it will give you the best bind. Some papers are grain short, so it is highly recommended that you test unfamiliar paper stock before you bind a large volume of documents. An easy way to test the grain of your paper is to lightly hold it on each axis to see which direction the paper bows more easily in. Paper will usually tend to bend easier in the direction of its grain, so most copy paper will flex more readily along the 11″ axis.
  3. As with all bound reports, adding divider tabs is a great way to enhance the look and function of your thermally-bound documents. The Fastback 11 binding system and corresponding Fastback binding strips are compatible with a number of brands and styles of tabs, but it is recommended that you call contact your local Fastback dealer for advice on the best tabs to use, because certain tabs will not give you good results. It is also advised that you bind a couple of sample documents containing the selected tabs before doing any large production runs.

How Do I Edit Bound Documents with the Fastback 11 Binding Machine?

One of the greatest benefits of binding using the Fastback 11 binding system is that it creates secure, durable books that can stand up to years of use. But did you know that the Fastback 11 is also capable of editing previously-bound documents? You can remove pages or even replace existing pages by simply following a few basic instructions. Below is an overview of how to edit your bound documents with the Fastback 11 binder:

Removing Pages:

  1. Plug in the Fastback 11 binding machine and turn it on. Allow it to warm up for approximately 3-4 minutes.
  2. Locate the pages of your document that need to be edited, and fold over their corners. This will help you identify the pages once they are ready to be removed.
  3. Insert the document into the machine with the spine-side down, so that it is flush against the right side of the binding channel.
  4. Press and hold the “Bind” button for two seconds. The Bind Clamps will open automatically after approximately 20 seconds.
  5. With the document still in the machine, begin removing pages. To remove each page, grab the top corner and pull upward using gentle and even pressure. Since you are pulling on a corner, the page will lift away from the spine staring at one end of the document and move toward the other.
  6. Once you have removed the pages as desired, pull the document out of the machine and transfer it to the Cooling Rack (placing it spine-side down). Allow the document to cool fully, which will take approximately 5-7 minutes.

Replacing Pages:

  1. Plug in the Fastback 11 binding machine and turn it on. Allow it to warm up for approximately 3-4 minutes.
  2. Locate the pages of your document that need to be edited, and fold over their corners. This will help you identify the pages once they are ready to be removed.
  3. Place your document onto your work surface, and open it to the page immediately after the page to be replaced. Open the book so that it lays flat, and place the replacement page into the document so that it is aligned with the other pages and is as close to the adhesive on the Fastback binding spine as possible. 
  4. Insert the document into the machine with the spine-side down, so that it is flush against the right side of the binding channel.
  5. Press and hold the “Bind” button for two seconds. The Bind Clamps will open automatically after approximately 20 seconds.
  6. With the document still in the machine, remove the page that is being replaced. To remove the page, grab the top corner and pull upward using gentle and even pressure. Since you are pulling on a corner, the page will lift away from the spine staring at one end of the document and move toward the other. Lightly tap the top edge of the replacement sheet to ensure that it is even with the other pages in the document.
  7. Once you have removed the pages as desired, pull the document out of the machine and transfer it to the Cooling Rack (placing it spine-side down). Allow the document to cool fully, which will take approximately 5-7 minutes.

How Do I Bind with the GBC CombBind C800Pro Binding Machine?

The GBC CombBind C800Pro is a heavy-duty comb binding machine that makes creating your own custom books easy. Below are the instructions for binding a document using the GBC CombBind C800Pro:

GBC CombBind C800Pro
  1. Begin by adjusting the punching depth margin. The black dial on the right side of the GBC CombBind C800Pro is the four-position depth selector that is used to adjust the margin between the punched holes and the binding edge of the paper. The margin can be adjusted from as little as 1/16″ up to 3/16″. Note: Wider margins allow the pages of thick documents to turn more easily and help to create a bind that is more secure. 
  2. Disengage pins as necessary based on the length of your document. This model has a total of 21 disengageable dies to accommodate practically any document length. To punch the standard 19-hole comb binding pattern that is used to bind the 11″ side of letter-sized documents, simply disengage the first and last dies by gently pulling on the corresponding pins.
  3. Align your pages so that the edges are even, using either a paper jogger (recommended for large-volume binding projects) or by tapping your document against your work surface. Insert up to 25 pages (based on regular 20 lb. paper; sheets of thicker paper or cover stock will reduce the punching capacity) into the punching throat, using the side guide to ensure properly alignment.
  4. Step on the foot pedal to engage the dies and punch your document.
  5. For larger production runs, use the black knob located on the left side of the machine to lock in comb opening settings. Using the knob will allow you to automatically stop the handle at the same position every time for faster binding. Turn the knob clockwise to open, pull the binding handle to the desired opening (using a comb of the correct size in the comb opener as a guide), then turn the knob counterclockwise to lock in the setting.
  6. Insert the binding comb with the open side up, aligning the tines of the comb between the metal rake.
  7. Pull the binding handle forward to open the comb. The tips of the tines should be pointing upward with enough space to place the document onto them.
  8. Insert the paper vertically so that the front cover faces toward you.
  9. Once all of the sheets have been inserted onto the tines, lay the document flat on the top of the machine and return the handle to the upright position to close the comb.
  10. Lift the book vertically to remove it from the machine and complete the bind.

How Do I Clear a Jam from the Fastback 11 Binding Machine?

The Fastback 11 binding machine by Powis Parker is an innovative and intelligently-designed thermal binding machine. From time to time, even the best binding machines will experience minor jams, so taking the time to learn the basic steps for clearing a jam will not only save you time, but will also prevent you from damaging your machine. Below are the instructions for clearing a jammed Fastback binding strip from your Fastback 11 binder:

  1. Begin by putting on the Heat Protective Glove that comes in the Accessory Pack included with every Fastback 11 binding machine. Because the inner workings of the machine are extremely hot, wearing the glove will help to protect you.
  2. Turn the Fastback 11 off and unplug it. Allow the machine to cool for approximately 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. If you have chosen to install the Cooling Rack on top of the machine, remove it and set it aside.
  4. To open the machine, gently push the eraser end of a pencil through the hole in the lower right corner of the machine until the cover pops open slightly. Next, carefully push the cover open until it stops in the upright position.
  5. Remove the jammed binding strip using the Wire Tongs included in your Accessory Pack. If you cannot easily reach the jammed strip with the Wire Tongs, lifting the blue metal bookrest may make it easier to access.
  6. After removing the jammed Fastback strip, press the bookrest back into its original position, until it clicks and locks into place.
  7. Close the machine by gently pressing down on both sides of the cover until the latch clicks and locks in position.

How Do I Use the Fastback 11 Binding Machine?

The Fastback 11 thermal binding machine from Powis Parker is powerful enough to handle high-volume binding, creating books in 35 seconds or less, while still being affordable for most large offices. Below is an overview of the binding process with the Fastback 11 binding machine:

  1. Begin by plugging in and turning on your Fastback 11 binding machine. It will take approximately 3-4 minutes for the machine to warm up and reach the proper operating temperature.
  2. When the machine is ready to bind, the Book Clamps will open automatically. Jog the pages of your document to ensure that all of the sheets are properly aligned and insert it into the binding opening, sliding the pages all the way to the right.
  3. Press the green “Bind” button to close the Book Clamps around the document.
  4. Insert the appropriate size of Fastback binding strip into the Binderstrip Guide located on the right side of the machine. The strip will be automatically pulled into the machine and positioned onto the document’s spine at the optimum binding position.
  5. The binding process will now occur automatically. The Book Clamps will open once the bind is complete.
  6. Remove the document from the binding channel and place it into the Cooling Rack with the spine down. Allow to cool for approximately 5-7 minutes.

Helpful Hints:

  1. If you realize that your documents are misaligned or have missing or out-of-order pages after you’ve pressed the “Bind” button (but before you have inserted the binding strip), simply press the “Bind” button a second time to release the Book Clamps.
  2. If the Book Clamps re-open automatically and the Status Indicator Light on the left side of the machine blinks red after you insert your document and press the “Bind” button, then your document is too thick for the machine to bind.
  3. Allow the document to cool completely before opening it to help ensure that all of the pages adhere properly.

Fastback LX Binding Strips: Another Thermal Binding Innovation from Powis Parker

Powis Parker’s Fastback binding systems are known for creating durable and professional thermally-bound documents using their patented Fastback binding strips. The Fastback 9 (which is one of their newest models) is the most compact and affordable of all of their thermal binding systems. In this post, we learn more about Lx-Strips, which are specifically designed to work with the Fastback 9 thermal binder.

Fastback_LX_200

The Basics

Like standard Super Strips, Fastback Lx-Strips are paper-based spines that are lined with thermally-activated adhesive. Lx-Strips are made with the same thermoplastic adhesives as Powis Parker’s other binding strips, which are made with three separate formulations used in distinct areas of the strips to improve overall adhesion. They are 11″ in length, available in two widths – narrow (3-125 pages; up to 1/2″) and medium (126-250 pages; 1/2″-1″) – and come in an attractive array of standard colors. Lx-Strips are lightly scored, which allows them to be creased into an “L” shape by hand before they are inserted into the Fastback 9 binding machine.

Binding with Lx-Strips

To bind a document with Lx-Strips, begin by turning on your Fastback 9 binding machine and setting it to Lx mode. Select the appropriate strip size for your document, and gently crease it into an “L” shape using your fingers (ensuring that the adhesive faces inward). If you are unsure as to what size spine to use, inserting your document into the binding recess and pushing the “Bind” button will display the correct spine size on the LCD screen. Place the Lx-Strip into the binding recess with the adhesive facing up and the short side of the “L” pressed against the back of the channel, and slide it all the way to the right. Jog the pages of your document as well as the covers so that they are aligned along the edge (where they will be bound) and place them into the binding recess. Align them with the Lx-Strip so that the top and bottom edges of the document are flush with the top and bottom edges of the strip. To create a uniform strip width on the front of your document regardless of size, place the front cover against the back of the binding channel. After you have ensured that your document is flush against the back of the binding recess, press the “Bind” button to start the binding process. When the binding process is complete, the LCD screen will read “Remove Book.” Gently pull the finished book out of the binding recess and place it into the cooling rack. After the book has cooled for approximately five minutes, it is ready for distribution.

In Review

The Fastback binding machine series from Powis Parker uses specially-engineered binding strips to create thermally-bound documents that are attractive and surprisingly strong. The Fastback 9 binding machine, which is the smallest and most affordable model in the series, uses a distinct variety of binding strip called an Lx-Strip. This paper-based strip is made with three types of adhesive to help ensure a durable bind. If you are looking for a thermal binding machine that is compact enough to fit on a desktop but robust enough to handle your binding needs, then take a closer look at the Fastback 9 binding system. Binding with Lx-Strips is very easy and effective, and their intelligent design makes the process practically error-proof.

How Do I Bind Using LX Strips with the Fastback 9 Binding Machine?

Powis Parker’s Fastback binding systems are known for creating durable and professional thermally-bound documents using their patented Fastback binding strips. The Fastback 9 (which is one of their newest models) is the most compact and affordable of all of their thermal binding systems. Below is a basic overview of the Fastback 9 binding process.

  1. To bind a document with Lx-Strips, begin by turning on your Fastback 9 binding machine and setting it to Lx mode.
  2. Select the appropriate strip size for your document, and gently crease it into an “L” shape using your fingers (ensuring that the adhesive faces inward). If you are unsure as to what size spine to use, inserting your document into the binding recess and pushing the “Bind” button will display the correct spine size on the LCD screen.
  3. Place the Lx-Strip into the binding recess with the adhesive facing up and the short side of the “L” pressed against the back of the channel, and slide it all the way to the right.
  4. Jog the pages of your document as well as the covers so that they are aligned along the edge (where they will be bound) and place them into the binding recess. Align them with the Fastback Lx Strip so that the top and bottom edges of the document are flush with the top and bottom edges of the strip. To create a uniform strip width on the front of your document regardless of size, place the front cover against the back of the binding channel.
  5. After you have ensured that your document is flush against the back of the binding recess, press the “Bind” button to start the binding process.
  6. When the binding process is complete, the LCD screen will read “Remove Book.” Gently pull the finished book out of the binding recess and place it into the cooling rack. After the book has cooled for approximately five minutes, it is ready for distribution.

Six Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Coil Binding Machine

Before buying a coil binding machine, it’s worth taking some time to research the different models that are available in today’s marketplace to ensure that you are getting the most appropriate machine for your needs. With the wide array of coil binders offered, identifying the best coil binding machine for you can seem overwhelming. Below are six of the most important factors to consider when comparing coil binding machine models.

  1. Punch Capacity – The punch capacity of a machine is a measure of how many pages can be punched in a single pull. For example, a 20-page punch capacity indicates that the machine is capable of punching 20 pages at a time, so documents that are larger than 20 pages will need to be punched in 20-page increments. This metric is usually measured in terms of regular 20 lb. bond paper, so the capacity will be reduced if thicker paper or cover stock is being punched.  Simply put, the greater the punch capacity, the more quickly you will be able to punch your documents (since you will be able to punch more sheets per pull and will therefore have to break documents into fewer sets).
  2. Punch Operation – There are two methods for operating the punch – manually and electrically. Manually-operated punches require that the user pulls a handle to operate the punch. Electric punches are operated with either a foot pedal or a button. Once depressed, the dies automatically pierce the sheets. Manual punches are reliant on the pressure applied by the operator, so there is a greater chance for fatigue. Because of this, manual punch machines generally have lower punch capacities than electric punch models.
  3. Coil Inserter – A coil inserter is a motorized roller that is used to help automate the coil insertion process. When the coil is placed against the roller while it is spinning, the coil twists and advances through the holes in the document. While it is possible to insert plastic binding coils by hand, an electric coil inserter greatly increases the speed at which coils are inserted. As a result, selecting a machine that has a built-in coil inserter is highly recommended for production environments.
  4. Punching Length/Open Throat – Though most people will only be binding letter-sized documents, some users may have a need to bind larger sheets. Not all coil binding machines are capable of punching sheets larger than 11″, so it is important to take note of the listed maximum punching length. The maximum punching length indicates the longest sheet size that can punched in a single pull, however machines that have an open throat have can accommodate longer documents in multiple punches. An open throat allows the excess page length to extend beyond the punch so that the unpunched portion can be turned around, reinserted into the punch, and punched in a second pass.
  5. Disengageable Pins – Disengageable pins allow the user to selectively disengage punching dies in order to leave some holes unpunched. This is extremely useful when working with unusual document sizes or specialty paper (such as three-hole punched sheets). Entry level coil binding machines generally do not offer disengageable pins as a feature, while more powerful models usually have partially-disengageable (selected pins can be disengaged) or fully-disengageable pins (all pins can be disengaged).
  6. Coil Crimping Pliers – In coil binding, the ends of the plastic coil must be cut and crimped to keep it from twisting out of the holes. The most common way of crimping the ends of the coil is to use a pair of coil crimping pliers, which simultaneously trim and bend the coil. Many coil binding machines include a set of coil crimping pliers, but it is worth taking note of this when planning your purchase so that you can purchase a set if needed.