| Overview: | | | | and is incredibly durable. In fact many of these |
| - The GBC C800pro has been around for | | | | machines are still in use after decades. |
| decades. It used to be called the Ibico EPK21 and | | | | Limitations / Weaknesses: |
| is one of the most popular electric desktop comb | | | | - Although the C800 has a 12 inch open punching |
| binding machines available on the market. | | | | throat, it is not an ideal choice for organizations |
| - The CombBind C800pro is an all in one | | | | that do a lot of legal length binding. Fourteen inch |
| combination binding system with an integrated | | | | documents will require a two step punching |
| electric punch, disengageable dies and a heavy | | | | process that is time consuming. Additionally, the |
| duty manual comb opener. | | | | comb opener on this machine is not long enough |
| - This machine is produced by GBC (General | | | | to open and close 24 ring legal size combs. This |
| Binding Corporation) who is the largest and most | | | | means that you will need to manually insert the |
| respected manufacturer of comb binding | | | | last 2-3 rings on each legal length book that you |
| machines in the world. | | | | plan on binding. |
| Features / Strengths | | | | - Although the C800pro is extremely durable, the |
| - The CombBind C800 pro has a heavy duty | | | | cost to repair the motor on this machine can be |
| electric punch that can punch up to 25 sheets of | | | | astronomical. In the event that the motor dies |
| paper at one time. The punch is operated by a | | | | after the 1 year warranty period it will cost over |
| convenient and easy to use foot pedal switch. | | | | $1000 to repair. Most users end up buying a new |
| The foot pedal helps to increase productivity by | | | | machine if this occurs. For this reason, it is a good |
| allowing users to hold the pages they are punching | | | | idea to consider an extended warranty on this |
| with both hands. | | | | unit. |
| - This machine offers a heavy duty manual comb | | | | - The foot pedal used by this machine to activate |
| opener that is capable of opening both round and | | | | the punching mechanism is convenient for long |
| oval shaped comb binding spines. The opener | | | | runs and increased punching productivity. |
| offers heavy duty metal fingers and is operated | | | | However, the pedal is constructed out of plastic |
| by a single handle located on the left side of the | | | | and should be treated gently. It would also be nice |
| machine. Unlike many other comb binding | | | | if the C800 Pro included a push button punching |
| machines, the handle on this machine is operated | | | | mechanism for short runs and occasional use. |
| by pulling the handle forward (not pushing it | | | | - Although this machine can punch up to 25 |
| backwards). This allows the C800pro to be placed | | | | sheets of 20lb paper at a time it should only be |
| against a wall. | | | | used to punch 1-2 plastic binding covers at a time. |
| - The machine also has fully disengageable dies | | | | Punching more plastic sheets at a time can wear |
| and an open throat design. Although the throat of | | | | out the punching pins and shorten the life of the |
| the machine is only 12 inches in width, the | | | | motor. This is a limitation shared by virtually all |
| disengageable pins allow you to punch virtually any | | | | electric binding punches. |
| length of document. | | | | Recommendation: |
| - There is a convenient document sizing chart on | | | | - The C800pro is an excellent choice for schools, |
| the front of the machine to help you determine | | | | offices, mail rooms and medium duty production |
| the appropriate size of combs for your document. | | | | environments. |
| You simply slide your book into the sizing guide | | | | - The machine is extremely well built, comes with |
| and it will tell you the size of comb that you will | | | | a 1 year warranty and is backed by the largest |
| need. | | | | manufacturer of binding equipment in the world. |
| - There is a depth of punch margin control on the | | | | - However, this machine is not a good choice for |
| side of the machine that allows the user to adjust | | | | users that need to do a lot of legal length binding |
| the distance of the holes from the edge of the | | | | or for heavy production environments. These |
| document. This is an important feature for binding | | | | types of users would be better served by looking |
| documents that are very thin or very thick. | | | | at a modular binding punch and a stand alone |
| - The machine is constructed of heavy duty steel | | | | plastic comb opener. |