MyBinding Knowledge Base
Can I use Coil with my ProClick Machine?
Enthralled by the ability to easily edit documents and the low cost of the Proclick book binding machines many users have jumped at the new GBC book binding style. However, these same users often discover that the convenience of the Proclick book binding system also comes with a price.
Unfortunately, Proclick binding spines are only available in four colors (black, white, navy and frost) and three sizes (5/16″, 1/2″ and 5/8″). This presents a unique challenge when companies want to bind reports or documents with a unique color or in a specific size that doesn’t fit well with the offerings of the Proclick book binding systems.
Fortunately, there is a simple solution for companies who wish to use their existing GBC ProClick (or twin loop wire binding) equipment to bind documents using color coil binding spines in many sizes. With a small investment of approximately $30 in a pair of coil crimping pliers and a box of 3:1 pitch color coil, you can now use spiral binding supplies with your Proclick or Wire Binding machine.
You simply punch your document using your ProClick punch and then manually spin the coil binding through the holes onto the book. Use the coil crimpers to crimp the ends of the coil binding and your presentation or proposal is done. Suddenly, you have over 60 colors and 25 sizes of color coil binding that are available to use with your Proclick Binding Machine.
This also provides a new option for individuals looking for a cheap spiral binding machine. At less than $70, the Proclick P50 book binding system is over $100 cheaper than the least expensive coil binding system on the market. Now using 3:1 pitch coil a new low cost coil binding option is available to individuals who want to do coil binding.
Just remember, that you can’t use standard 4:1 pitch color coil binding with the Proclick binding systems. Standard 4:1 pitch coil is designed for use with documents that have 43 or 44 holes and the Proclick binding machines punch 32 holes. Simply order 3:1 pitch coil binding and you are ready to go.
It is important to note that the holes used by the Proclick P50 book binding machine are slightly larger than the holes used by standard coil binding machines. This is not a big deal. However, when crimping 3:1 coil it is important to ensure that as much of the coil is crimped or bent over as possible so that the coil does not spin back off the book. To accomplish this it can sometimes be helpful to give the spiral coil hand pliers an extra squeeze and a twist with your wrist during the crimping process.
< Over the years, a number of customers have asked me whether they can use twin loop wire with their plastic comb binding machine. These customers often don’t want to have to buy a brand new machine but like the look and feel of twin loop wire binding. However, the answer to their question isn’t as simple as it seems. You see, they actually do make twin loop wire that is designed to work with the plastic comb binding hole pattern. With that said, if you want to use these wires you are going to need a way to close the wires. What is Spiral-O Wire? Let me explain a little bit more…There is a product that we carry called Spiral-O Wire. This wire has 19 loops and is designed to work with the hole pattern from a plastic comb binding machine. Spiral-O Wire is sometimes called Wire Combs or Ibico Wire and was originally designed for use with some of the older Ibico binding machines. A number of the older Ibico plastic comb binding machines also included a twin loop wire closer on the front of them to allow users to use both plastic combs and wire. This 19 loop wire was designed for this purpose. What Equipment is Needed? As the Ibico brand has been phased out by GBC and all of the older Ibico plastic binding machines have been replaced with new models, they no longer have the twin loop wire closer on the front of them. This presents a problem in trying to use these spiral-o wires since you can’t use the wires without a way to close them. One of the only options left is to purchase a Twin Loop wire closer. However, since twin loop wire closers are not incredibly cheap this option usually only appeals to users who have larger electric plastic comb binding machines. Otherwise, it is often advisable to simply buy a low end 3:1 pitch twin loop wire binding machine (the supplies are cheaper). This being said, if you have one of the older Ibico binding machines that has a wire closer included you are in luck. The Spiral-O binding supplies that we carry will work perfectly with your machine and you will be able to use both plastic combs and wire depending on your needs. These Spiral-O binding supplies are available in Black, Silver, White, Blue and Red and in sizes up to 1″ in diameter. If you aren’t sure what type of wire binding supplies that you need to work with your machine simply give us a call. Our trained sales representatives will be glad to help you find the correct supplies for use with your machine.(Read More)
