Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 Heavy Duty Manual Punch

Overview:

• The Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 is definitely something to be excited about. It was one of the only interchangeable die modular binding punch to hit the market.
• This machine allows you to switch between multiple different punching patterns just like the larger Rhin-O-Tuff electric modular punches. However, it comes at a fraction of the cost because it is a manual punch.
• The OD4800 was designed for small organizations that want to punch multiple hole patterns but either don't have the budget or the need for a larger electric punch.
• This device is as well-made and as heavy-duty as Rhin-O-Tuff's other modular punches the use interchangeable die sets.

Features/ Strengths:

• The biggest strength of the OD4800 is its price. This is the cheapest solution on the market for an organization that needs a punch that can produce different hole patterns. With a retail cost of around $850.00,  this machine is about half the cost of the cheapest electric punch on the market.
• The OD4800 uses the same dies as the OD4000 electric binding punch. This means that it can punch 12 standard hole patterns. You can choose from hole patterns for spiral coils, plastic combs, double-loop wire, Velobind, and three-ring binders. Plus, there a number of custom dies are also available if you need to produce another hole pattern.
• Like the other Rhin-O-Tuff modular punches, you can bolt your finishing equipment to the side or top of this machine. This includes coil inserters, plastic comb openers, and wire closers. It will help you save space while allowing you to create your own custom binding system.
• The OD4800 is built with the same high-quality components as other Rhin-O-Tuff products. The machine has a high-quality metal case and heavy-duty metal components to ensure that it will remain strong and functional for many years to come.

Limitations/Weaknesses:

• Although the idea of an interchangeable die manual punch is a great idea, it would have been nice to see a better punching capacity. The OD-4800 is rated to punch up to 12 sheets of paper at a time. This capacity is smaller than the ones offered by most standalone manual binding machines. This smaller punching capacity will result in lower productivity – especially for organizations that need to bind larger sized documents.
• This machine comes with one die set but it does not come with any finishing equipment. If you need to punch two hole patterns you will need to purchase another die set and two pieces of finishing equipment. Even if you are a good shopper you will most likely spend as much on the accessories for this machine as you will on the machine itself. This is something to keep in mind when you are budgeting for a system such as this.
• Although it seems like a great idea to attach a piece of finishing equipment to the top of this machine, it requires a special kit that must be purchased separately. Plus, the attachment process can be a little tricky and takes a while.
• The die change mechanism on the OD4800 uses two bolts to hold the die in place. You have to loosen these two bolts and then slide the die out of the side of the punch. The process should only takes a few minutes. However, it is important that you tighten the bolts securely. If they are not tight, the die may move slightly during the punching process which can reduce accuracy. It's also hard on the machine.

Recommendation:

• The Rhin-O-Tuff OD4800 is a good choice for small organizations that need to produce multiple different hole patterns. Just be sure to budget for the modular finishing equipment and extra die sets when you are considering your purchase.