Refurbished Fastback Scoring/Creasing Machine - PPSM

Staff Review

Powis Parker Fastback Scoring Machine Review

The Powis Parker Fastback Scoring machine is the perfect tool to put creases in covers for short run folding or perfect binding in a variety of binding situations. The Fastback scoring machine can create a one-piece wraparound cover with a boxed spine in one easy motion. In addition, the Fastback is aesthetically pleasing, available in a variety of fashionable colors to match your other Powis Parker Fastback binding equipment – a rare feature in binding equipment.This is the kind of scoring machine that meets the needs of many small to medium-sized operations that need a professional fold and an overall great look for their critical documents and other materials.

Features:

The Powis Parker Fastbreak is a scoring machine that uses compression and will provide a clean, clear score which, unlike many scoring machines, prevents laser printed inks from cracking and flaking. The Fastbreak also includes convenient set-up guides. These guides are excellent for producing covers that have different sized spines. This is an extremely helpful feature for those who are looking for high quality, consistent square creases – every time.

The Fastbreak scoring machine also includes a double scoring knife as part of your order. This great tool allows for front and back covers to easily open for the lay-flat bind you need for your projects. A single scoring knife can also be purchased separately, to help in this capacity, as well.

The Powis Parker Fastbreak scoring machine is very easy to use. It requires only that you place your document on the machine and pull the handle. This creates a neat and tidy score that will improve the look of your document upon folding. Creating documents that are professional-looking and functional is a key goal of most organizations and the Fastbreak gives you the look you need to achieve this goal in a variety of situations.

Limitations:

The Fastbreak scoring machine is a solid product that can be a great help for your scoring needs, but even great products sometimes have limitations and the Fastbreak is no exceptions. Though the machine is great for simple scoring, since it is a manual, rather than electric machine, it has a tendency to be slow for larger volume production jobs. In addition, it can be somewhat difficult to adjust the guides to the correct settings. Using and adjusting the guides does get easier with practice, but it does take time to master the task.

Finally, the sizes and stocks that the machine can work with are somewhat limited. This scoring machine is primarily designed for use with letter-sized documents, which can include a portrait or landscape orientation. It is not a very good selection for books or documents that fall outside of the normal range, including oversized, or undersized documents.

Construction:

The Powis Parker Fastbreak is made with a heavy-duty metal base and guides. This makes the scoring machine strong and durable, and it can withstand a great deal of wear. The Fastbreak’s rubber handle is also durable and very convenient and easy to use. In addition, the clear plastic shield included on the machine will allow you to see alignment marks on your documents, while you are scoring, for the most precise score possible

With all of these features and durable, functional parts, the Powis Parker Fastbreak is among the strongest-constructed scoring machines available, particularly at the price point for which it is offered. Powis Parker creates well-constructed equipment and the Fastbreak is no exception.

Recommendation:

The Powis Parker Fastbreak scoring machine is one of the best manual machines on the market and is highly recommended for short run perfect binding. The Fastbreak is not ideal for production environments because of its volume capacity. These types of companies could be better served with a larger, electric machine. That being said, however, the Fastbreak works great for creating your own custom printed thermal binding covers and other specialty tasks.

Don’t pass up this great scoring machine if it matches your needs. It’s a great machine at an equally great value!

How to Use the Powis Parker Fastback Scoring Machine

The Fastback scoring machine is an excellent choice for creating perfect bound documents. Generally, common paper card and cover stocks of approximately 20 points (.020 inches or .50 mm thick) can be nicely scored. For materials thicker than this, or of unusual or unknown composition, their ability to be scored may be uncertain. Don’t attempt to score materials over 23 points thick, as this could damage the machine if excess force is used. It is usually a good idea to try a practice score to see if the final score bends and looks satisfactory. Sheets measuring 13 x 20 inches (33 x 50 cm) are easily handled on the machine. This makes it possible to create a full size 8.5″ x 11″ wraparound cover for your perfect bound documents.

You can make either one (single) score or two (double) scores at a time – it depends on which Die Holder is installed on your machine.

To tell which Die Holder you have, look down into the top of the clear bar. If you see two silver lines (figure 3a), then you have the Double Die Holder, which makes two scores at a time. This enables you to create a cover with a “hinged” spine – for a book that opens easily and without wrinkling of the spine title area. Or, you can just have an extra crease line for a nice appearance detail near your spine. If you see a single silver line (figure 4a), then you have the Single Die Holder. This die makes one score at a time – perfect to create a greeting card or a single fold folder.

Simple Scoring:

1. Slide your material under the transparent bar. Make sure the bottom edge of your cover is resting against the front Guide Rail.

2. Look through the bar and position your cover to where you want your scores – they will be made right under the silver lines of the Scoring Dies.

3. Push the Lever to the left to make your scores.

Wraparound Cover Scoring:

Using the Fastback scoring machine you can easily create a wraparound cover for your perfect bound document or book. If you have the double die holder installed you will produce two parallel score lines along each side of the spines. If you have the single die holder installed you will produce a single score line on each side of your spine.

With the Double Die Holder (standard with the machine) two scores are made at once. One is the spine edge score. The other is a secondary score (3/16″ from the spine edge score on the front and rear covers). These two sets of scores are shown in figure 3b. You would perform two scoring actions to make this total of four scores.

With the Single Die Holder (P/N: K-405-3437 available separately – please contact your local dealer) all of your scores are made one at a time. To make the two spine edge scores for a cover, it would take two scoring actions. If you wish to make all of the four scores you achieve with the double scoring die, it would take four scoring actions.