Have you ever used a Tamerica brand book binding machine? Tamerica has developed a great name over the past several years and are now known as one of the leading manufacturers of book binding machines. One of their most popular entry-level machines is the Tamerica 190PB comb binding machine. This is my review.

You may have noticed, by the subject line of my article, that I mention the name Tahsin. Tamerica used to use the name Tahsin on many of their binding machines, laminators and other products. They now use their own name, Tamerica, on these same machines. The machines are the same and the quality hasn’t changed.

The Tamerica 190PB is an entry-level comb binding machine. By entry-level, I mean it is designed for light-volume use. This isn’t to say it is cheap, but it isn’t designed to bind hundreds of books either. It is ideal for use in a school, a small business or even at home.

While it doesn’t feature a lot of bells and whistles, the build quality is excellent. When you pick up the machine, and handle it, you can tell that it is made from quality parts. It weighs in at 12 pounds shipped. This is heavy enough to get the job done, but light enough to move around.

Punching paper is very easy. Simply insert the paper into the horizontal punch (20 total sheets) and pull the handle. While the 190PB claims a 20 sheet punching capacity, I would personally scale that back to 16-18 for regular use. Twenty sheets is the absolute maximum this machine can handle.

The Tamerica 190PB uses a single-handle system for comb binding. This means the same handle that is used for punching the paper is also used to open the comb. The handle is pulled down to punch the paper and pushed forward to open the comb. I personally like this format. Some machines feature two handles, one for punching and one for comb opening.

The 190PB can bind a book up to 2″ thick. Simply break up the book into punchable sheets. Once all the paper has been punched, the comb can be inserted. The entire process is very easy.

The Tamerica (Tahsin) 190PB is best used for binding letter-size (8 ½” x 11″) books. While it can be used to bind smaller books, it doesn’t feature disengageable punching pins. This means you may run the risk of a half-punched hole if binding smaller books.

Overall I like the Tamerica 190PB. It is a great little machine for what it is designed to do. The price is right, and if used correctly, should easily last for several years.

You can find the Tamerica 190PB comb binding machine here. You can find our entire selection of comb binding machines here.

At ABC Office we make it our goal to continually add new products to our site that we feel offer you a great value. This includes products that are durable, affordable and easy to use. We are proud to announce the addition of 5 new Akiles office products to our site.

Akiles is one of the most reputable and well-known manufacturers that we offer on our site. This includes binding machines, laminators, paper joggers and many other products. One thing I personally like about Akiles is that their products feature a great build quality and I rarely (if ever) hear complaints about Akiles products.

We have added 3 new binding machines and 2 new laminators. Here is a brief description of each.

• Akiles iCoil 41+ – This coil binding machine is compact, includes just about everything you need to bind a book and features oval-shaped holes that make coil insertion and page turns easier.
• Akiles iWire 31 – This compact wire binding machine features a great build quality, a 3:1 pitch punching pattern and folds up into a compact shape that is easy for storage.
• Akiles iWire 21 - The iWire 21 features the more popular 2:1 pitch hole pattern. It is easy to use, compact and can be used to bind a book in just a few minutes.
• Akiles iLam 240 – This 9.4″ pouch laminator can be used to laminate most letter-size and smaller documents. Four rollers, an adjustable temperature control and a reverse motor switch make this machine ideal for most laminating jobs.
• Akiles iLam 340 – This wider format 13″ pouch laminating machine is ideal for laminating signs, menus and other larger material. It can also be used to laminate smaller documents. It also features 4 rollers, an adjustable temperature and a reverse motor switch.

So there you have it! A total of 5 new Akiles products. You can find our entire selection of Akiles office equipment by visiting us here. Have a great day!

I had customer recently ask me, “What is the toughest folding machine you offer?” Well, we offer a lot of good high-quality folding machines. If you’re only talking about friction-feed folding machines, I have to say that the Intelli-Fold DE-8 paper folding machine (from Intelli-Zone) is one of the best we offer. This is why.

To begin with, the DE-8 has a monthly duty cycle of 240,000 folds. This means you can safely fold 240,000 documents in a month’s period of time without the machine suffering any ill effect. The motor itself runs at an amazing speed of 22,000 pieces per hour. So now I’ve established that this is a pretty tough machine, so what can it do?

The DE-8 is capable of creating a wide variety of common folds. This includes single folds, letter folds, accordion folds and even the cross fold (French fold). Apart from being able to create many of the most common folds, it can also be set up to create custom folds. The folding plates on this machine are very easy to set up and adjust.

While the DE-8 can fold paper up to an amazing 14″ x 21″ in size, I think the really cool feature is that it can fold paper as small as 2″ x 2.7″. This is a huge range of paper, which is uncommon to find in a folding machine. Not only does it handle a huge range of paper sizes, but it can also handle paper thicknesses ranging from a thin 10# up to 110# in thickness. This may be one of the best ranges we offer in a folding machine.

Operating the DE-8 is very simple. Once the folding plates have been adjusted, simply place your paper in the machine, plug in the machine and turn it on. It will immediately start working. An adjustable speed dial makes it easy to speed up or slow down this machine. This is especially nice when folding paper of varying thicknesses.

You’ll notice in the picture that it has a conveyor-style exit tray. This is especially nice if you need to keep your folded documents in an organized group. The conveyor slows the paper down as it shoots out of the machine and keeps paper in alphabetical / numerical order. This is especially nice for businesses that fold bills, invoices and other similar material.

This machine is very heavy duty. The build quality is exceptional. It weighs in at 105 pounds shipped, so that gives you an idea as to how heavy it is.

Overall I am really impressed with this folding machine. It is definitely one of the toughest friction-feed folding machines we offer.

You can find the Intelli-Fold DE-8 paper folding machine here. You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

If you mail out a lot of invoices, bills and other statements, you may want to consider using a pressure sealer. These handy machines are fast, efficient and cost a lot less than a paper folder inserter. One model you may want to thoroughly look at is the Formax FD 1400 AutoSeal pressure sealer. This is my review.

One downside to a paper folder inserter is that they are cost prohibitive for many people, especially people that only need to fold and mail one sheet of paper. When a customer tells me a folder inserter is out of their price range, I often recommend that they consider a pressure sealer. The end results look very similar.

Pressure activated paper doesn’t cost much more than standard copy paper. Simply run the pressure-activated paper through a printer and then run it through the FD 1400 pressure sealer.

The Formax FD 1400 can hold up to 100 sheets of pressure-activated paper at a time. Once activated, and once the folding plates have been set, the machine will pull in the paper. By means of steel rollers, pressure is applied to the pressure-activated paper. This pressure causes tiny pockets of glue to burst, sealing the paper shut.

You have probably received pressure-sealed mail before. It is the mail that has the perforated sides, which once torn off, expose the letter. This type of mail is just as secure, if not more so, than a standard letter and is even more tamper proof.

The Formax FD 1400 is very fast. The motor runs at a speed of 60 forms per minute, which is adequate for most small to medium-volume jobs. It can create Z folds, C folds and single folds and can use pressure-activated paper up to 24# thick. It can use paper up to 8 ½” x 14″ in size. The FD 1400 has a recommended duty cycle of 10,000 pieces per month.

The build quality of the FD 1400 is very nice. I have handled this machine and looks are deceiving. At first I thought it looked like a basic paper folding machine; that was until I moved it. It is a heavy machine. It weighs in at 90 pounds shipped.

If you need to fold invoices, bills, mailers and other single-sheet mail, you should seriously consider using a pressure sealer like the Formax FD 1400. It is a solid piece of machinery and a great alternative to a paper folder inserter.

You can find the Formax FD 1400 AutoSeal pressure sealer here. You can find our entire selection of paper folding pressure sealers here.

Do you need to quickly (and affordably) sign checks and documents? Many high-end machines cost thousands of dollars, but what if you don’t need something for signing thousands of checks a day? The Widmer S-3 check and document signer may be just what you need. This is my review.

To begin with, Widmer is a well-known manufacturer of check signers, numbering machines, text stamps and many other products. Widmer’s products are regarded as being some of the best in their class.

The S-3 document and check signer is extremely popular with our customers, due in part to the fact that the machine is one of the most affordable signers in its class. The S-3 can essentially sign checks and documents as quickly as the operator can feed material into the machine.

Unlike many automated machines, the S-3 features a micro trigger that signs documents once paper is inserted. While not the fastest signer in the market, compared to auto-feed machines, it is remarkably fast and can keep up with hundreds of signatures a day.

The crash head pressure can be adjusted to accommodate carbonized and carbonless forms. The micro trigger can also be adjusted, making it possible to adjust where the signature is stamped on the document.

So how does the S-3 work? It is pretty simple. Prior to use, the S-3 must be fitted with a signature plate. The signature plate has to be made upon the purchase of the machine, although additional signatures can be purchased later. The signature plate is driven by an electric motor. You can get single, double and triple signature plates for the S-3.

Getting the S-3 up and running literally takes just seconds. No special training or skills are required to use the S-3. It has a small footprint, measuring in at just 7 ¼” high x 4 ¾” wide by 10″ deep. It weighs in at 18 pounds, so it is pretty easy to pick up and move to another desk.

Security shouldn’t be a concern. The S-3 features a dual locking system. Access to the case is restricted by a lock and machine use requires a key. This helps to prevent unauthorized access.

I can tell you that we have had great success with the S-3. Our customers are happy with it and I’m not aware of any having been returned. It should easily last you for years. The only maintenance it will require is the occasional changing of the printing ribbon. The S-3 is also available as the SX-3, which features a slightly larger guide and work surface.

I highly recommend the Widmer S-3 for light to medium-volume stamping. You can find the Widmer S-3 check and document signer here. You can find our entire selection of check and document signers here.

If you have been shopping around for a burster, a check signer or even some printers, you may have heard the terms cut sheet and continuous form. These are two different types of paper. You and I are probably most familiar with cut sheet paper. Here are the differences between the two.

Cut sheet paper is single “free” sheet of paper, such as copy paper. It isn’t attached to anything else. It can be placed in a printer or be fed into a paper folding machine. It is simple, easy to use and has been around for some time.

Cut Sheet Paper

Continuous form paper is usually attached to other sheets of paper by means of a perforated edge. Continuous form paper, when organized, usually sits in an accordion-like fashion. This type of paper used to be very popular with printers, before they were able to handle cut sheet paper.

Continuous form paper is usually torn away from the preceding sheet of paper. Perforated side margins, usually consisting of tiny 1/8” holes, are also usually torn away from continuous form paper after being printed on.

Continuous Form Paper

Hopefully this helps clear up some of the confusion. As mentioned earlier, bursting machines are used to tear apart continuous form paper. You can find our bursting machines here. Another machine that uses continuous form paper includes check and document signers found here.

Have you ever seen napkins at a wedding, photographs from a photographer or perhaps a name on a book that feature gold or metallic stamping? This is done by using a hot foil stamping machine. These machines are still widely used to day.

If you would like to start foil stamping documents, or are interested in a replacement machine, one model you may want to look at is the Kwikprint Model 86 A/A “The Big Bench” hot foil stamping machine. This is my review.

To begin with, Kwikprint is probably the best-known manufacturer of hot stamping machines. They make a wide variety of models, from small to large. This includes both manual and air-powered machines. Most of their machines are made from die-cast iron and are very well built.

The Model 86 A/A is no exception. The build quality on this machine is amazing. We have one in our warehouse that we have been using for 10+ years and it still works great. I have personally used it to foil stamp samples for customers. It’s a solid machine.

The platform work area is large, measuring in at 12″ x 12″.  This is a large enough surface to foil stamp Bibles, yearbooks, ribbons, pencils, matchboxes and much more. I have used the Kwikprint Model 86 A/A to foil stamp book binding report covers, hardbound books, plastic poker chips, playing cards, leather keychains and more.

Kwikprint offers a wide variety of attachments that can be used with the Model 86. This includes a pencil holder, a matchbook attachment, a line finder and more. You can find all our Kwikprint attachments here.

Kwikprint also offers a wide variety of accessories including right angle guides, different sized roll feeders and different sized type holders. You can find all our Kwikprint accessories here.

The biggest difference between the Model 86 A/A and the standard Model 86 is that the A/A version is air powered. This means that the A/A stamping head is brought down by air rather than a manual lever. The air-powered machine is faster and ideal for higher-volume jobs.

Using the Model 86 A/A is easy. First you’ll want to place your lettering, numbering or logo in the type holder. Once the type is ready, plug it in. Make sure it is connected to an air compressor and then wait for it to warm up.

Lettering can be changed when the machine is warmed up, but tweezers are required do to the heat. The temperature is adjustable and able to accommodate most types of hot stamping foils.

Overall I consider the Kwikprint Model 86 A/A to be a great hot stamping machine. The build quality is excellent and it should easily last for years. This machine is great for higher-volume hot foil stamping.

You can find the Kwikprint Model 86 A/A “The Big Bench” hot foil stamping machine here. You can find our entire selection of Kwikprint hot foil stamping machines here.

I recently had the opportunity of unboxing and helping set up an MBM Destroyit 2604 cross cut paper shredder on our showroom floor. Now that I have had a chance to play around with it and run it through a few trial runs, I have a pretty good idea on how it works. This is my review.

To begin with, the MBM Destroyit line (by IDEAL) has a great reputation with businesses. With a wide range of sizes and cutting capacities, Destroyit has quickly become an office favorite. Destroyit shredders are German engineered and German built from the ground up with quality and ease-of-use in mind.

My first impression, upon unboxing the Destroyt 2604, was how heavy it was. It took two of us to take the shredder head and lift it onto the cabinet. I have to say that I am extremely impressed as to the build quality. The particular model we unboxed and used was the cross cut version.

The shredder sits on casters, so mobility shouldn’t be an issue (although it is a heavy beast). It weighs in at 119 pounds shipped. The exact dimensions of the 2604 are 18 1/2″ x 22 1/2″ x 36 1/2″.

One thing that I immediately noticed as we set up the shredder was the waste bin. Unlike many departmental shredders that have you put in a free-floating plastic bag, the 2604 has an actual plastic bin where you can place a shredder bag liner. This makes the 2604 very easy to empty and much cleaner to use.

Keep in mind that the 2604 is a departmental shredder, designed to be used by about 4-8 people. Destroyit makes office shredders that are much bigger, for an entire office. The 2604 could probably be used by an entire office and not even flinch.

The Destroyit 2604 (cross cut) we used is rated as a Level 3 shredder. The cross cut blades cut particles into 3/16″ x 1 1/2″ (4 x 40 mm) pieces, although it is also available in a level 4 with particle sizes of 3/32″ x 5/8″ (2 x 15 mm). It is also available in a Level 6 micro cut. These blades are able to handle staples, credit cards and CDs. The sheet capacity of the Level 3 model is 20-22 sheets of standard copy paper.

The control panel on this shredder is about the easiest around to use. It uses a rocker button for operational control. Press it forward to turn the shredder on and backwards to put the shredder in reverse. It’s that easy. Several LED lights are in the button that will let you know when the door is open and when the bag is full.

A series of 7 lights let you know how much stress is being put on the shredder. The more lights, the more stress. I like this system because it gives you an idea on how much paper you can feed into it without counting the paper ahead of time. The 2604 has a continuous duty motor that does not require any cool down and can be used all day long.

The 2604 we unboxed in the showroom has a built-in automatic oiler which is pretty slick. It has a clear tube going into the back of the shredder, supplying the blades with a adequate amount of lubrication. An oil bottle sits on the side of the shredder. This is far easier than manually oiling a shredder and dramatically prolongs its life.

I can’t emphasize enough in words how good the build quality is on this shredder. I highly recommend it for pretty much an office department. You won’t be disappointed.

You can find the MBM Destroyit 2604 cross cut paper shredder here. You can find our entire selection of Destroyit paper shredders here.

Paper drills are amazing machines, especially considering what they do. Paper drills are to paper punches as jet fighters are to kites. There is really that big a difference. Where a paper punch can go through 1-10 sheets of paper at a time, a paper drill can go through an inch or more of paper (depending on the model) in a matter of seconds.

One critical part of the paper drilling process is the hollowed out paper drill bit. Did you know that there are several different styles of paper drill bits? Unfortunately not all paper drill bits are interchangeable. If you own paper drill “A”, you have to use drill bit “A”. The biggest difference between paper drill bits is the design and size of the shank.

All paper drill bits feature a hollowed-out design and all have a sharpened rim for drilling through paper. All drill bits also need to be waxed and occasionally sharpened. So what are the different types of bits?

List Of Most Common Paper Drill Bits

• Style A (found here) – This type of drill bit is generally used for Lassco Spinnit, Challenge, Climax, EBM, Casco, Ottawa, Rosback and other drill bits. It features one of the widest shanks of all the paper drill bits.
• Style F (found here) – This drill bit features the most slender shank of all the paper drill bits we carry. It is primarily used by the File Pecker line of paper drills, including the FP-60 and the FP-IVT.
• Style J (found here) – This is one of the least common paper drill bits we offer. It is primarily used with Martin Yale and LIHIT paper drills.
• Style K (found here) – This drill bit is slender and is primarily used with the Model 202 and some Challenge brand paper drills.
• Style L (found here) – This drill bit is very similar in appearance to the Style A. It is designed to be used with Lassco Spinnit paper drills.

Most of our paper drill bits are made by Lassco and are made from high-quality metal, designed to hold up with continued use. We also offer drill wax here and paper drill sharpeners here.

If you’re having trouble tracking down a paper drill bit for your machine, call us at 1-800-658-8788 and we may be able to track down what you’re looking for.

Several years ago we used to offer a wide variety of instant film passport ID cameras. You pointed the camera, took the picture and pulled the film out the side of the camera. It took anywhere from 1-2 minutes for the film to develop. The end results looked good, but with the coming of digital cameras, our old systems were all discontinued. In walks the Fujifilm IP-10 digital passport camera system.

The new Fujifilm IP-10 digital passport system creates the same results as the old Polaroid instant film cameras, but has since adapted to modern-day technology. While there are now two pieces of equipment used, rather than just one, the new digital system is actually faster.

The Fujifilm IP-10 uses a FinePix I-10 ID printer and a FinePix J38 12.2 megapixel camera. Both pieces of equipment are highly rated pieces of technology, and combined, create brilliant photographs.

The speed at which the IP-10 system operates really depends on the operator. The step-by-step process is simple:

1. Shoot the picture
2. Select the picture
3. Print the picture

The FinePix IP-10 printer uses Fujifilm’s proprietary Image Intelligence software. This software is designed to offer “intelligent” color adjustments to pictures. The printer is able to automatically detect faces in the image and optimize face coloring for top-quality prints. Here are a few more details on the printer:

• Printing Method: Dye-sublimation thermal transfer (with overcoating)
• Resolution: 300 x 300dpi, CMY with 256 gradations / color
• Print Size: 4 x 6inch – 10 x 15cm (10 x 18cm before cutting)
• Print Speed: Approx. 70 sec. (start of paper feed to finish)

The Fujifilm FinePix J38 camera produces 12.2 megapixel images and features the latest in technology. This includes facial recognition technology, precision auto focusing and anti-blur capabilities.

Combined, the IP-10 printer and J-38 camera produce pictures that are clearer, more colorful and crisper than any of the old “instant film” cameras that we used to offer. I consider this to be a huge improvement and customers will be happy with the results.

While having a “nice looking” passport picture isn’t a requirement by the U.S. government, nobody wants a bad picture. The IP-10 passport & id card camera system can be used in just about any store or passport picture-taking business. The entire system only weighs 10 pounds shipped, making it extremely portable.

Overall I consider the Fujifilm IP-10 passport ID system a perfect solution for any business looking to upgrade or start taking passport pictures for customers.

You can find the Fujifilm IP-10 digital passport camera system here. You can find our entire selection of ID card creation equipment here. Feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 to ask more questions about our ID and passport systems.