Fellowes Quasar 500 Plastic Comb Binding Machine
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Fellowes Quasar 500 Plastic Comb Binding Machine

Part #: 5216801
Brand: Fellowes
  • Binding Capacity: 500 sheets
  • Color: Metallic Gray
  • Manual or Electric Punching: Manual
  • Punching Capacity: 20
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Product Description

The Fellowes Quasar 500 Plastic Comb Binding Machine offers an excellent blend of performance and style making this machine perfect for meeting the binding needs of medium to large offices. The Quasar 500 is a hard-working machine that can easily punch up to 20 sheets of paper at a time and can bind documents as large as 500 sheets with a 2” binding comb. The Quasar 500 utilizes a vertical punching throat to help ensures accurate punch alignment. The contemporary and efficient design of this machine allows the user to punch and bind documents in a continuous manner for maximum productivity. The Fellowes Quasar 500 features a built-in comb storage tray with a document measurement device for added convenience and quick set-up. It also includes an adjustable rotary edge guide to help center documents for punching. Plus, every Quasar 500 comes with a binding starter pack to help you get started.

Product Details

  • Adjustable Margin Depth: No
  • Application: Work
  • Auto Shutoff: n/a
  • Binding Capacity: 500 sheets 
  • Binding Element Selector: Yes
  • Color: Metallic Gray
  • Item Number: 5216801
  • Item H x W x D (inches): 5.125" x 18.125" x 15.375"
  • Manual or Electric Punching: Manual
  • Vertical Punching: Yes 
  • Warranty: 2 Year Manufacturer Warranty
  • Usage: Heavy
  • Three-hole Punch: No
  • Punching Capacity: 20 
  • Releasable Dies: No

Demonstration Video

Transcript: Welcome to MyBinding video. This is a product review of the Fellowes Quasar 500 Plastic Comb Binding Machine. The Quasar 500 is a manual comb binding machine designed for the small or medium sized office. It's inexpensive, well-made, and does a good job with a few limitations. Let's examine its features.

Most notably is its compact, sleek, stowaway design. We like it and its function is not compromised by the form. There's a small margin control knob on the left hand side that allows you to set your margins so all punches are done consistently throughout the project. The 500 was designed to ...
Read More
Welcome to MyBinding video. This is a product review of the Fellowes Quasar 500 Plastic Comb Binding Machine. The Quasar 500 is a manual comb binding machine designed for the small or medium sized office. It's inexpensive, well-made, and does a good job with a few limitations. Let's examine its features.

Most notably is its compact, sleek, stowaway design. We like it and its function is not compromised by the form. There's a small margin control knob on the left hand side that allows you to set your margins so all punches are done consistently throughout the project. The 500 was designed to punch 20 sheets of 20lb paper per lift. However, when we tried 20 sheets, we couldn't even get it into the slot. We found that 15 sheets was more reasonable and easily done. And of course, the large handle for left, right, or both handed punching is great.

When it comes to the binding step, there are a couple of built-in helps into the machine. There's a small tray at the base of the machine where you can carry some combs, however, not very many. When your project's completely been punched, slide it into the slot to determine which size comb is best for your project. This is very handy, indeed, especially to those who are new to comb binding. And we like the all metal construction to the comb opener.

For an all manual machine, the Quasar 500 does a really good job. Even if it can only punch 15 sheets, it's still a lot of punch. The system can open up both round and oval shaped combs and can go up to two inches in diameter. The punch pins are not disengageable, so non-normal size documents may prove difficult. It's also not an open throat design, so you can't do anything larger than 11 inches in width. Cleanup is easy with a removable chip tray. If a manual comb binder is all you need, for $200 or just a little over, the Quasar 500 by Fellowes is a great bet. For more demos and reviews of this product and many more, check out MyBinding.com.
Transcript: Welcome to MyBinding video. Today we're looking at the Fellowes Quasar 500 Plastic Comb Binding Machine. Designed for the small or medium sized office, the Fellowes Quasar 500 is a great comb binding machine. Let's watch it in action step-by-step.
After practicing with some scrap paper, begin with the covers. Use the purple side margin control knob to adjust the margin to make sure everything is lined up consistently for your whole project. Slide your materials into the back slot and bring the lever down. Use both hands for consistent cutting. Continue punching through the rest of your projec ...
Read More
Welcome to MyBinding video. Today we're looking at the Fellowes Quasar 500 Plastic Comb Binding Machine. Designed for the small or medium sized office, the Fellowes Quasar 500 is a great comb binding machine. Let's watch it in action step-by-step.

After practicing with some scrap paper, begin with the covers. Use the purple side margin control knob to adjust the margin to make sure everything is lined up consistently for your whole project. Slide your materials into the back slot and bring the lever down. Use both hands for consistent cutting. Continue punching through the rest of your project in small batches, 20 sheets or less of 20lb paper. The fewer the sheets, the easier the punch. When everything is punched, assemble your project in order. It's time to bind your book. There's a compartment on the right side of the Quasar 500 that you can store some combs. But it also has a very handy measuring tool to determine which comb is the right size for your project. Simply slide your whole project into the slot to determine which round is the best.

It's now time to place the comb over the teeth of the machine. In comb binding, always keep your project faced down and the comb faced up, that way it does not come apart in use. The trickiest part of comb binding is placing your project over the teeth of the comb. With some practice, you'll become quite proficient. When all lined up, use the lever to close the teeth of the comb and you're all set. With the Quasar 500, you can bind books with rounds that are up to 1-1/8 inches in diameter. And you can use plastic oval combs as well, up to two inches. For easy and convenient disposal, chips fall into a chip tray just below the machine. Comb binding is really that easy with the Quasar 500 by Fellowes. For more demos and reviews of this product and many more, check out MyBinding.com.

Staff Review

Fellowes Quasar 500 Plastic Comb Binding Machine Review

Overview:

  • The Fellowes Quasar 500 is a full featured manual plastic comb binding machine designed for small and medium offices that are looking to do plastic comb binding.
  • The Quasar 500 offers the same contemporary and ergonomic design found in other Fellowes comb binding machines such as the Starlet and the Star. However, this machine includes features that are simply not available in those less expensive models.
  • This machine is designed for use with both round and oval shaped plastic comb binding spines and can bind documents up to two inches thick (approximately 500 sheets of 20lb paper).

Strengths / Features:

  • The Quasar 500 has contemporary design that sets it apart from many other plastic comb binding machines on the market. The machines folds closed when it is not in operation. The dark grey and silver colored plastic housing provides an elegant and contemporary look that is designed to blend in with other pieces of office equipment. Plus, the machine offers an ergonomic handle that is easy to use by operators who are both left and right handed.
  • Unlike the Fellowes Star and Starlett which only punch 7 sheets of paper at a time, the Quasar 500 is designed to punch up to 20 sheets per lift. Even the largest and most powerful manual plastic comb binding machines are only rated for between 20-25 sheets of paper at a time.
  • The Quasar is capable of binding documents with plastic combs as small as 1/4 inch and as large as two inches. It includes a heavy duty plastic comb opener with metal fingers and metal hooks. The system can open both round combs (1/4 inch – 1-1/8 inch) and oval combs (1-1/4 inch – 2 inch).
  • This machine has a storage tray that slides out of the side of the machine. The storage tray will hold a selection of binding combs and has a plastic comb size selector. The selector allows you to determine the correct size of comb for use with your document and it also allows you to determine the size of any comb that you have on hand.

Weaknesses / Limitations:

  • Although this binding machine can be used with virtually any size of plastic binding comb, it is not designed to bind documents that are shorter or longer than 11 inches in length. It doesn’t have disengageable pins or an open throat design. Without any open throat it is impossible to punch documents longer than 11.25″ (oversized covers). Without disengageable punching pins, documents less than 11 inches in length will most likely end up with a partial hole on the edge of the page.
  • Although the slide out storage tray seems like a good idea, it is not large enough to hold any real quantity of binding combs. The document measuring device is nice, however, this machine would benefit from having a larger chip tray instead of built in comb storage.
  • Although this machine has an excellent punching capacity and is capable of binding documents up to 2 inches thick, it is still made primarily out of plastic. Although this machine looks great, it might not be the best choice for heavy duty users or for applications where the machine may be abused (such as schools). These environments will most likely benefit from a machine made from metal components.

Recommendation:

  • The Fellowes Galaxy 500 is an excellent choice for users who are looking for a contemporary binding machine that will fit in a small office or medium office environment.
  • It has an excellent punch capacity, an ergonomic design and can bind documents that are up to two inches thick.
  • However, this machine is not an excellent fit for high volume users or for applications where multiple users may abuse the machine. In those cases it may be best to sacrifice style and settle for an all metal machine such as the Tamerica 210PB.

This review was written by Jeff McRitchie who is the director of marketing for Mybinding.com. Jeff has written more than three hundred articles and more than two hundred reviews on Binding Machines, Binding Supplies, Report Covers, 3-Ring Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Supplies, Paper Shredders and Paper Handling Equipment.

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