Rhin-O-Tuff OD4012 Heavy Duty Punch

Overview:

• The Rhin-O-Tuff OD4012 is a interchangeable die modular binding punch that is designed for organizations that are looking for a well-priced, heavy-duty machine.
• It offers the same great punching capacities and motor as the larger HD6500 and HD7000 but Rhin-O-Tuff was able to cut the cost of this machine by reducing the width of the punching throat from 14” to 12”. This is great for organizations that primarily punch documents that are 8.5” x 11” and smaller.
• This system offers the ability to switch punching dies using the Rhin-O-Tuff Ez change die system. In fact, users can choose from 12 different standard punching dies that are available for this system.
• The OD4012 has the same great Rhin-O-Tuff construction that has made this line of modular punching equipment famous.

Features/ Strengths:

• The OD4012 has the same punching motor that's used in the HD6500 and HD7000. This heavy-duty motor allows the OD4012 to punch as many as 25 sheets of 20 lb. paper at a time depending on the punching pattern. Although this is a smaller punching capacity than seeing in the larger HD punches, it offers better cleaner results.
• The construction of the OD4012 is excellent. Like all of the modular binding punches from Rhin-O-Tuff, the body of the machine is made of metal. In fact, the whole machine is made of metal components. The heavy-duty machine is designed so that it can remain in service for years without the need for maintenance. Rhin-O-Tuff even offers a full one-year warranty on both the machine and the die sets.
• The OD4012 is available at an excellent price point. It has a retail price of about $2,500.00 and it can usually be found for around $2,000.00 if you call and ask for a price quote. This makes the OD4012 very competitively priced. In fact, it is one of the most affordable 12-inch modular punches on the market.
• Tthere are more than 20 different punching patterns available for the OD4012. This means that this punch can produce virtually any hole pattern that you will need to bind your documents. This machine uses the same EZ change die system that is used on the HD6500. In order to change the die out you simply lift the lid on the compartment at the front of the machine, loosen the two bolts. and slide the die out of the machine. It only takes about 2 minutes to change punching patterns.
• The OD4012 is designed to allow users to bolt their modular finishing equipment (wire closer, etc.) to the top of it. You can even bolt multiple units to the top of your machine to help save space. Or you can simply set your finishing device on the top of it so you can move the device aside when you don't need it.
• The fact that the OD4012 has a shorter punching throat and is smaller also makes the punching dies less expensive. With this punch, each die set costs less making it easier to try new hole patterns or offer different binding styles to customers.

Limitations/Weaknesses:

• It is probably obvious but if you haven't already figured it out, this machine's punching throat is 11” wide. Actually, the throat is slightly wider than 11” so it can accommodate A4-sized paper. However, it will not punch a legal-sized sheet of paper in a single step. It does have an open throat for punching longer documents but trying to punch legal paper in two steps with a machine like this can be pretty tough.
• The dies on this machine can take a couple of minutes to change. This usually isn't a big issue for organizations that primarily use one punching pattern. However, printers and binderies that need to switch punching patterns a number of times per day will find that the process is a little bit tedious.
• When I tested this punch I noticed that there was a little bit of movement in the die set during the punching process. I was able to reduce the amount of movement by tightening the two bolts that hold the die in place. However, even that did not completely remove the extraneous movement. This movement in the punching mechanism causes me to be somewhat concerned that this machine may not be completely accurate over time.
• The die retainer clip that holds the punching pins in place is fairly tedious to use. This makes it difficult to remove a pin in order to set up the punch. In fact, the process of inserting and removing the die on this machine actually makes setting up this machine fairly difficult. If you pull the wrong punching pin for the size of paper that you are using, you will have to completely remove the die set pull the correct pin and then reinstall it. This can take up a little bit of time.

Recommendation:

• The OD4012 is ideal for users that need a more powerful punch than the OD4000 but don't want to spend the money for a legal-sized punch such as the HD6500.
• This 11-inch punch is great for organizations that primarily produce documents that are letter-sized or smaller and don't need to change punching patterns on a really regular basis.
• This machine is durably construction and it has the ability to punch a wide variety of hole patterns. And it's very affordable to boot.