GBC TL2900 Modular 12" Electric Wire Closer - 7301200

Twin loop wire binding requires you to first punch your documents and then to use a wire closer to squeeze the spine shut into a round. Most wire closers are manual and work like a vice grip. You pull the handle and two parallel plates squeeze together to squeeze your "C" shaped wire element into and "O" shape. However, getting the wire closed just right can be a slow and painful process, especially if you do a lot of binding. The GBC TL2900 promises to make twin loop wire closing both easier and more accurate for users. I decided to put that promise to the test and try the TL2900 for myself. Here is what I discovered.

Features:

If you have ever tried to you bind a document using a manual desktop wire binding machine you probably know just how difficult it can be to move the wire from the hanger to the closer. After you go to all of the work to hang the pages on the wire you end up having them slip out as you try to move the document to the closer and put it in place for closing. This can be extremely frustrating and can take a lot of time. However, the GBC TL2900 solves this problem. It acts as both a wire hanger and a wire closer. You simply put your wire element on the machine, hang the pages on the element and use the machine to crimp the wire shut. You don't have to move the document at all.

Adjusting for a different pitch of wire with the TL2900 simply requires you to turn a small handle on the side of the machine. It can be adjusted for either 3:1 or 2:1 pitches of wire and is also compatible with spiral-o 19 loop wire. There is a gauge that tells you what diameter the closer is currently set to handle. I found the adjustment of the closing mechanism to be very quick and easy. It also allowed for small adjustments to fine tune the closing distance of the machine. When compared to the large thumb screws used by most standard wire closers this is most certainly a lot easier to use and it appears to be at least as accurate.

I also noticed a couple of other things about the TL2900. It is designed to stack on top of your GBC modular binding punch such as the Magnapunch or MP2500ix. This can help you to save space in your office. The TL2900 also utilizes a dual push button control mechanism. This is a safety feature to prevent you from accidentally crushing your finger in the closing mechanism.

Limitations:

Although I didn't experience it myself when testing the TL2900 I have spoken to several customers who have had problems with the wires closing precisely. I sat down with my service technician and he told me that over time, the hooks that are used for hanging your documents can become bent and this can cause problems with closing. It is important that you are careful when hanging and removing your documents that you don't bend the hooks. If the hooks become slightly bent you can manually bend them back into shape to ensure that the machine closes perfectly. However, eventually you will most likely need to replace the hooks. A replacement hook kit is available from GBC for this purpose. It is relatively easy to install.

The TL2900 can save a huge amount of time on your books that are letter sized and smaller. However, the hood design used by the TL2900 is not compatible with document lengths longer than 11". Thus, if you plan on binding legal size or longer documents you won't be able to use this machine. Additionally, the TL2900 is not compatible with 3/16" and 1-1/2" sized wire. These sizes are not commonly used and are in fact difficult to find. However, if you do need to use one, they won't work with this machine.

Construction:

Looking at the construction of the TL2900 it is extremely well built. It has a heavy duty metal body and has very few things that can go wrong with it. However, as I mentioned before, the hooks on this machine are considered a consumable part and will need to be replaced periodically. Otherwise there should be very little maintenance required with the TL2900.

Recommendation:

The TL2900 is ideal for users who do a lot of wire binding and are looking to save time and for users who find moving the wire from the hanger to the closer to be difficult. It is ideally paired with the GBC Magnapunch, the MP2500ix or the MP2000W3. It is easy to use, accurate and built well. However, at over $2000 you will need to weight the volume of binding that you do against the time savings offered by this machine. If your volume warrants it, I would certainly recommend purchasing the TL2900.