MyBinding Knowledge Base
What is the difference between the different models of Akiles WireMac binding machines?
The Akiles WireMac line of binding machines is the most popular line of wire binding equipment in the United States. These machines are easy to use, include a heavy duty all metal construction and include all of the features that most users will ever need in a Wire Binding Machine. When it comes to the Akiles WireMac line of binding machines, it is often difficult for end users to understand the difference between the different models that Akiles offers. This article will provide a quick overview of the different Akiles WireMac binding machines available on the market with a summary of their features.
The Akiles WireMac Manual or Akiles WireMac M is the simplest and cheapest WireMac binding machine that Akiles makes. Like all of the WireMac wire binding machines, the Akiles WireMac M is capable of punching documents in all lengths up to 14” (legal). When you purchase the WireMac Manual Wire Binding Machine you need to select either a 3:1 pitch model (for wires that are 3:16” up to 9:16”) or a 2:1 pitch model (for wires that are 5/8” up to 1-1/4”). The WireMac M can punch up to 20 sheets per lift,
includes a wire holder, adjustable depth of punch settings and a heavy duty wire closer located at the rear of the machine. This model is ideal for an office looking to start binding their own documents with wire. However, since the WireMac Manual is somewhat limited in the size of books that it can bind many companies prefer to go with either the Akiles WireMac Duo Combo or the Akiles WireMac Combo for the greater flexibility that they offer
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The Akiles WireMac Duo combo is the only desktop Wire Binding Combo machine on the market capable of punching and binding both 3:1 and 2:1 pitch documents. This provides a great option for companies who want to do wire binding but need to bind both smaller and larger documents. The Akiles WireMac Duo combo allows you to bind documents, presentations and proposals as small as 3/16” and as large as 1-1/4”. In addition to this great feature, the Akiles WireMac Duo Combo also includes the same great features as the other WireMac Wire Binding Machines including: legal sized punching, adjustable depth of punch control, separate handles for punching & closing, and a heavy duty all metal construction. One other notable feature that sets the WireMac Duo Combo apart is the placement of its wire closer. The WireMac Duo Combo has a heavy duty Wire Closer located on the front of the machine with small hooks on the front of it for easy hanging of your documents before binding. Placing the wire closer at the front of the machine along with the wire hanger makes the process of finishing your documents much simpler.
The Akiles WireMac Combo is the newest addition to the Akiles line of WireMac binding machines. This unique and innovative machine allows users to bind documents with both twin loop wire and plastic combs. When purchasing the WireMac Combo, the user must select either a 3:1 pitch model (for wires that are 3/16” up to 9/16”) or a 2:1 pitch model (for wires that are 5/8” up to 1-1/4”). However, since plastic combs are available in sizes from 3/16” up to 2” the WireMac Combo if the document is too thick or not thick enough for binding with wire you can always use the plastic comb binding punch included on the WireMac Combo to bind your books. In addition to including the ability to bind books with both twin loop wire and plastic combs, the WireMac Duo also includes some of the same great features as the other WireMac binding machines including: all metal construction, separate handles for punching and finishing, adjustable depth of punch controls, a wire closer located on the front of the machine, legal sized punching throats and fully disengageable dies for punching any sized book up to 14” long.
< 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)
