GBC TL2900 Modular 12" Electric Wire Closer - 7301200
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Product Description
Product Details
- Electric binding increases productivity with a quality crimp in 1 second.
- Wire hooks provide a single-position load and crimp station for both 3:1 and 2:1 Twin Loop wire, eliminating movement of the document to a separate closing station.
- Single adjustment knob provides one-step size adjustment and precision binding.
- Dual activation buttons are designed to prevent misuse.
- Four LED's guide the user easily through the binding process.
- The TL2900 can be stacked on any GBC/IBICO Modular punch, saving space or can be separated for two-person workflow.
- GBC Part Number 7301200 , G7301200
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 90 Day Manufacturer's Warranty
Item Specifications
- Productivity: Up to 200 books per hour
- Bind Capacity: Up to 1 1/4" or 250 sheets (based on 20 lb. bond)
- Min Doc Size: Binds books as small as 2" Wide
- Max Doc Size: Binds books as large as 12" Wide
- Dimensions: 18"x7"x13" LxWxD
- Machine Weight: 43 lbs. (19.5 kgs.)
- Packaged Weight: 52.6 lbs.
- Ratings: 115 Volt/60 Hz/3.5 Amps
- Safety Agency Approval: Designed to meet UL and CSA safety standards
Demonstration Video
GBC's commitment to safety has led us to have our system tested by the world's leading safety agencies. You can rest assured that the modular TL2900 fully complies with U.L. and Canadian Standard Requirements, as certified by C.S.A. The international version of the TL2900 has full safety licensing from T.U.V. product service and carries the ... Read More
GBC's commitment to safety has led us to have our system tested by the world's leading safety agencies. You can rest assured that the modular TL2900 fully complies with U.L. and Canadian Standard Requirements, as certified by C.S.A. The international version of the TL2900 has full safety licensing from T.U.V. product service and carries the C.E. mark as well.
Introducing the TL2900 twin loop wire binding system from GBC. This system's revolutionary design makes it the only wire binder on the market today that allows users to load and print documents in one easy step. Using the single load and crimp station eliminates the hassle of moving your document to the closer. Now the look of wire is easier than ever!.
Staff Review
GBC TL2900 Electric Wire Closing Machine Review
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.
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Helpful Tips
Tips For Finishing Documents Using the GBC TL2900
If you have a GBC TL2900 wire closer (formerly the Ibico 340WB) you might be wondering how you can best use it to close the wire on your documents. Fortunately, using the TL2900 is actually quite easy. Here are some simple steps for binding documents with the this wire closer…
1. Select the appropriate size wire binding element for your document by either using the chart below, or using the Wire Size Guage Label on the TL2900 as a reference
2. Adjust the knob so that the desired size shows approximately in the center of the window. TIP: This is a starting point reference. It is best to make a test bind and adust the knob for your personal preference. To make the crimp tighter, turn the knob so that the number of moves toward you in the clear window. Slight adjustments may be necessary to achieve the perfect crimp. It is acceptable for the wire size to appear anywhere within the window.
3. Load the wire element onto the support hooks. TIP: Hold the wire loosely across the trips of your fingers, with the wide hooks facing downward. Orient with the left edge just touching the Edge Guide. Allow the wire to naturally find itself on the hooks with a dropping motion as you guide the wire up and over. Once you get the feel for this motion, you will be able to easily hang the wire onto the books.
4. Thread the document contents onto the hooks, oriented so that the first faces up. Then thread the front cover face up onto the wire document. Finally thread the back cover, inside up, onto the wire element. (As an alternative you may prefer to stack the entire document as per 5, 6, 7 above, and lay the whole document on the wire hooks at one time to show ease of operation – try working with the system both ways until you are comfortable with it.
5. Bring the clamp forward over the hooks.
6. Press and HOLD the two activation buttons on either side of the closer, until the LED’s indicate, “DONE”.
7. Push the clamp back.
8. Remove the bound document from the hooks by gently pulling upward on the document until the wire is out of the hooks. Do not pull forward on the book, as you may risk breaking the hook.
9. Flip the back cover around so that the wire seam is hidden between the last page and the back cover of the document.
