Welcome to MyBinding Video. This video looks at the Tamerica Versabind-M, a modular manual binding machine. An all-in-one system, one machine that handles four different binding styles. Assemby is very simple, three separate handles to attach, you’re on your way. This Versabind System has everything you need for punching and binding coil, plastic comb, and wire binds. Just switch out the modular punch dies. Let’s make a book and watch this in action.
We’ll start with the coil bind. All the punch dies work the same way with this side margin control knob. This allows you to set your stop in place so that all punches are consistent throughout your whole project. With our scrap paper here, we can see we have a half-punched hole. Well, all the pins are disengageable for each of the dies. This allows you to get the exact punch pattern that you want and enables you to work with various sizes of documents. On the right side of the machine is a depth of margin control knob. There are four different settings that allow you to have a thinner or a thicker margin according to the size and thickness of your document. With all your margins set in their place, it’s time to begin.
Let’s start with the covers. If you start face up, always go face up. Continue to punch through the rest of your project in smaller packets. The Versabind M can punch up to 20 sheets of 20lb paper per lift. With all your papers punched, organize your book; it’s time to bind. Initiate the coil onto the end of the book and then use this groove here on the face of the machine to roll, roll, roll your spine all the way down. And now, finish off your project with a pair of coil crimping pliers. With the red dot always facing up, clip just on the inside of that last coil on both ends of the book. It’s that simple to bind a book with the Versabind-M.
Now this machine can handle four different kinds of binds and comes with four different punch dies and changing them out is very very simple. This little knob on the right hand side locks the die into place so it doesn’t come out. Remove that knob and then slide the die out to the right. It can be a little sticky and tricky at first, just put some more effort into it and slide it on out. And the new modular die goes in reverse, slide it into the groove all the way into the machine to the left and then fasten it down with the knob. And for all subsequent books, you do the same thing; the side margin control and depth of margin, make punches in the packs of 20 sheets or less, assemble your book and bind.
On the top of the Versabind-M is a plastic comb opener. This is where you open your plastic comb, and drape your book over, and close the comb, and that book is all done with plastic comb binding.
The Versabind also does 2:1 and 3:1 wire binding. Simply remove the old die, put in your new modular die, and you’re on your way. The Versabind does not have a fence to hold your wire but it does have this clamp that holds your wire in place so you can drape your project over it. It’s just as good as a fence and in some ways a little faster. On the table facing the machine is a small compartment. Lift the lid and this is the wire closer. Make your adjustment, and with the smaller handle you pull down and close the wire.
As you can imagine, the 3:1 wire is very similar; pull the old one out, put the new one in, and punch and bind your way all the way to a finished product, always adjusting that closer to the size wire that you’re using.
Tamerica’s Versabind Modular M is a bit of an investment. But with it’s versatility, it will certainly pay off. And that’s, the Versabind M by Tamerica. For more demos, reviews, and how-tos, check out MyBinding.com.