If you have a coin sorter or counter, and like roll your coins, you probably need a coil crimping machine. These machines quickly seal the end of coin tube rolls. If you’re in the market for a machine, or need to speed up operations, consider using the Semacon CM-65 automatic coin crimping machine. This is my review.

Semacon is one of the best-known manufacturers of coin counting machines, sorters and currency counters. Their products have been around for years and have developed a good reputation with customers. It is not uncommon for a Semacon machine to hold up for several years without any special servicing.

So what exactly does a coin-crimping machine do? These machines have a special head that is designed to seal the end of coin roll (aka coin shotgun shell or wrapper). These rolls are typically sturdy enough to hold pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, yet are weak enough to break open if needed.

The Semacon CM-65 is the perfect companion device for just about any coin-rolling machine. It is available in three different versions. This includes a 1 head, 4 head and 6 head version. The heads can easily be removed and replaced with the head that corresponds with the denomination being crimped shut.

The Semacon CM-65 is completely electric. Using it is as easy as using a pencil sharpener and can be completed in three easy steps.

Step 1. Open the hidden storage compartment located under the machine and select the crimping head you need. This should correspond with the denomination of the coin roll you are sealing shut.

Step 2. Hold the roll of coins you need crimped shut against the rotating crimping head.

Step 3. After just a few seconds the coin wrapper will be completely crimped shut and you can move on to the next roll.

This is a quick video of the Semacon CM-65 in action:

Who can use this machine? You will commonly find the Semacon CM-65 in banks, credit unions and in retail stores and businesses that roll coins for storage and distribution purposes.

While this machine may look a little intimidating up front, it is actually extremely safe to use. You can touch the rotating head and it will not pinch or hurt you. It can easily be placed on a desk, and at 20 lbs, is very easy to move around.

The quality of this machine is excellent and it is designed to be used throughout the day. If you handle coin rolls and wrappers on a daily basis, this is definitely a machine you should consider purchasing.

You can find the Semacon CM-65 coin crimping machine here and our entire selection of coin crimping machines here.

Coil binding looks good. It’s classy, can be used to bind a wide range of documents and is extremely functional. Coil binding (aka Spiral Binding) is available in two different hole patterns. These are 4:1 pitch (four holes per inch) and 5:1 pitch (five holes per inch). Four-to-one pitch coil is the most popular format used. Why is this? I’ll explain.

Let me go into a few more details about specifically what the differences are between 4:1 pitch and 5:1 pitch coil. I’ll start off with 4:1 pitch coil.

4:1 Pitch Coils (0.25″) – When used on 11″ paper, you typically end up with a total of 43 to 44 holes, depending on how the punching die is aligned. Outside the United States, this pattern is referred to as a 6mm hole pattern. Supplies are available in diameters ranging from ¼” (6mm) up to 1 ¼” (32mm). Some larger diameter coils are available, but less common.

5:1 Pitch Coils - This hole pattern produces about 54-55 holes along the 11″ side of a sheet of paper. Outside the United States this is known as a 5mm hole pattern. Supplies are available in diameters ranging from ¼” (6mm) up to 13/16″ (20mm). While some larger diameter coils are available, they are generally not used or recommended due to the tight hole alignment of the 5:1 pitch pattern.

So why is 4:1 pitch more popular? The 4:1 pitch hole pattern is more widely used because it can be used to bind more paper. The wider gap in the holes makes it possible to bind thicker books without the pages binding together (easier page turns).

Which hole pattern should you use? The hole pattern you use will depend on personal preference and functionality. If you like the tighter hole pattern, and are aware of the 13/16″ diameter limitation, you may want to consider a 5:1 pitch pattern. If you are unsure and don’t have a preference, 4:1 pitch is more versatile and more common.

Oval or Round? – Akiles, one of the best-known manufacturers of coil binding machines, recently released a 4:1 Plus pitch hole pattern (0.248″). These holes are oval in shape. The advantage to the oval shape is that coil supplies are supposed to more easily spin through the holes. While they may be easier for coil insertion, you probably won’t notice a huge difference.

Metal or PVC? While you can buy spiral notebooks that are bound using metal coils, in-house coil binding is done by using spiral PVC coils. PVC coils are now the most prominent and widely used supply used for coil binding. PVC coils are popular because they are available in a wide range of colors, are extremely durable and are easier for use with a spiral binding machine.

I hope this helps clarify coil binding for you. If you still have questions, please feel free to call one of our book binding specialist at 1-800-658-8788.

You can find our entire selection of coil binding machines here and our entire selection of coil binding supplies here.

Counting money by hand is a time consuming process. Accuracy can be dramatically improved, along with speed, by using an automated currency counting machine. The only downside of a standard currency counter is that they can’t catch counterfeit bills. If you need speed, accuracy and the ability to scan for counterfeit bills, consider a machine like the Semacon S-1015 Mini UV currency counter. This is my review.

Semacon may not know for making the cheapest bill counters available, but they are known for making some of the highest-quality bill counters around. Many of their machines are manufactured in Japan, where quality control is significantly higher than in other manufacturing countries. Their machines are “burned in” and tested prior to packaging, ensuring a working machine out of the box.

Semacon currently manufactures a wide range of currency counters, coin counters and coin roll crimping machines. You can find their entire line of money handling equipment here.

The Semacon S-1015 Mini UV is a compact currency counter, designed from the ground up to quickly count bills, tickets, coupons, paper and more. It is one of Semacon’s “mini” counters, designed to be more compact than standard currency counters and far more portable.

One of the biggest benefits of the S-1015 Mini UV is that it has ultraviolet counterfeit detection capabilities. If you have ever held a U.S. $5, $10, $20, $50 or $100, you’ll notice several UV features that glow. These same features are scanned by the S-1015 Mini UV. If these features are not present, the bill counter will promptly alert you to the possibility of a counterfeit banknote.

The digital display, located on the S-1015, is found on the top of the machine. This makes controls easy to access and data easy to read. This display will provide you with a running total on what’s going on. You can set the S-1015 to provide you with the total count of an individual stack of bills, or you can set it to provided you with an added total of several stacks of bills.

The control panel is easy to use. A bright green button turns the counter on and a red button stops the machine. A UV button allows you to toggle the counterfeit detection on and off and a batch counting button makes it easy to set up batch counting for various amounts.

Not only does this currency counter handle money, but it can also be used to count other denominations (including Canadian), as long as they fall within the 115 x 50 to 167 x 85 mm minimum and maximum sizes. This can also be used to count tickets, coupons and paper.

Overall I am very impressed with this counter. The build quality is exceptional, up to par for daily use. It should easily hold up for years and is perfect for use in grocery stores, retail shops, banks, credit unions and more.

You should be aware, however, that this counter will not provide you with the actual dollar amount of the bills being counted, just the total quantity. Few currency counters provide a dollar amount and those that do are called currency discriminators.

You can find the Semacon S-1015 Mini UV currency counter here and our entire selection of currency counting machines here.

If you fold a lot of paper and need a paper folding machine that is “no nonsense” and easy to set up, you may want to consider the fully automatic Formax FD 382 paper folding machine. This machine takes just seconds to set up and is extremely reliable. This is my review.

While Formax may be best known for their automatic envelope inserting machines, their line of paper folding machines are equally as impressive. To date, Formax currently offers 7 different models of folding machines. These machines range from desktop use to high-end air-fed paper folding machines for print shops.

The FD 382 is one of Formax’s high-end friction feed paper folding machines. It operates at a speed of up to 20,100 pieces and is capable of creating letter folds, zig-zag folds, half folds, gate folds, double parallel folds and many other “standard” fold types. Not only are the folds easy to set up, but they are also extremely accurate and aligned.

This machine is fully automated. That means there is very little manual effort involved to get it up and running. Motors are built in to each of the folding plates. Once a fold has been selected, the plates automatically adjust themselves. Even the telescoping exit conveyor is fully powered. A special sensor, located on the feed tray, automatically detects the size of the paper being used, making setup even easier.

While speed is a huge benefit of the Formax FD 382, I have to say the interface and programmable features built in are the icing on the cake. The FD 382 has 18 pre-programmed settings out of the box and can be set up with an additional 25 custom folds that are stored in the memory.

A large 2.8″ LCD screen lets you know exactly what’s going on. That includes details on the page size being used, the fold that is selected, the speed and much more. The LCD screen is backlit, making this folding machine easy to set up in low-light conditions as well. The screen also keeps you up to speed with a 6 digit resettable counter and an 8-digit life counter. This is excellent for auditing purposes.

Paper size and thickness are always important features to take into consideration prior to purchasing a paper-folding machine. The FD 382 can handle paper as small as 3.5″ x 5″ or as large as 12.25″ x 18″. This range covers most jobs.

Are you tired of fanning paper prior to placing it in a folding machine? The Formax FD 382 utilizes a drop-in feed tray that holds up to 500 sheets of standard 20# paper, no fanning required. This system is extremely efficient, dramatically cutting down on paper jams that were frequent with older “fan” style machines.

While not a stock feature, the FD 382 is available with an optional dedicated multi-sheet feeder. This feeder makes it possible to insert up to 4 stapled or unstapled sheets for multi-sheet folding. While it can only operate as fast as the operator inserts paper, it is a nice feature to have on handle for multi-sheet mailers.

Overall I consider the Formax FD 382 to be a solid paper folding machine. It is constructed from metal components and features the quality Formax machines are known for. I highly recommend this for use in most offices, print shops, copy centers and other organizations that fold a lot of paper on a regular basis.

You can find the Formax FD 382 automatic paper folding machine here and our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

Summer is now officially upon us and it is getting hot. I don’t know what the temperature is like where you’re at, but it broke 90 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday and the AC is cranking out the cold air. So what are you supposed to do if your office, home or building doesn’t have the luxury of an air conditioner? Soleus Air has a few options that may just help you out.

Soleus Air is one of the largest manufacturers of portable air conditioners, window air conditioners and fans for office and home use. Their products have a solid reputation, and for what you get, are reasonably affordable. Soleus air conditioner products use R-410A refrigerant, which has many benefits:

R-410A Refrigerant Benefits

• Lower Energy Consumption
• Increased Product Performance
• No Ozone Depleting Chemicals (No Chlorine)
• Improved Product Reliability
• State of the Art Technology
• Enhanced Heat Pump Performance
• Complies With 2010 Clean Air Act Requirements

Many of Soleus Air’s products act as an air conditioner during the summer and as a heat pump during the winter. Multiple purposes, one simple machine.

Let me highlight just a few of the Soleus Air products that we offer:

• Soleus Air PH3-12R-03 Air Conditioner & Heater – This compact little machine acts as a 4 in 1 machine. You can use it as an air conditioner, a heater, a dehumidifier and a fan. This air conditioner weighs 70 pounds, is portable and includes a window kit for easy venting. Venting can also be routed through a hole in the wall.
• Soleus Air FTY-25 10″ Tabletop, Desk or Wall-Mounted Fan – This nice little fan packs quite a punch. It is fast, extremely stylish and utilizes a special grill that creates an oscillating air effect. It has a total of three different fan speeds and includes a built-in timer. The fan head pivots on 2 points, making it extremely easy to adjust.
• Soleus Air FC1-42R-03 Oscillating Tower Fan – This fan is probably one of my personal favorites. It is affordable (under $100) yet is packed with features. First off, it has a total of 3 fan speeds as well as 3 different wind modes. It oscillates, making it possible to cool down a wide area of space. A built-in timer helps save energy. You know what my favorite feature is? It has a remote control!
• Soleus Air FSM-45 18″ Retro Metal Pedestal Fan – I don’t know what it is about retro designs, but they look great. The FSM-45 has a wide 18″ diameter, a metal design along with an oscillating head. The retro design is awesome and the all-metal construction really holds up well. While it does move a lot of air, it is extremely quiet.

These are just of the Soleus Air products we offer. You can find our entire selection of Soleus Air portable air conditioners here and our entire selection of Soleus Air office & home fans here.

I hope you all have a relaxing, enjoyable and cool summer!

If you’re familiar with paper folding machines, you probably know that they typically use 2 folding plates. Two-plate machine can create common folds like letter folds, Z folds, half folds and more. What if you want to create more than 2 folds in a sheet of paper? You will need to use a 4-plate paper folding machine.

While 4 plate paper folding machines are more rare, they still play an important roll in the folding of paper. A 4-plate machine can create a lot more folds than a standard 2-plate machine. With 4 plates, you can take a large sheet of paper and fold it down into a tightly compact size. While a 2 plate machine typically creates 6-8 common folds, a 4 plate (multi-plate) machine can create up to 16 common folds and multiple custom folds.

Four plate folding machines are typically used to fold instructions down for use in packaging. Have you ever purchased a piece of furniture, an automotive part or opened a box of medicine? These items often include a tightly folded instructional sheet or documentation. These instructions are typically folded down on a 4-plate paper folding machine.

What if you are folding an 8 ½” x 11″ sheet of paper and need it to fit in a box that is only 4″ wide by 5″ long? Many multi-plate folding machines have built in paper scoring wheels. With a 4 plate machine, you can fold the 8 ½” x 11″ sheet of paper down to something that is only 1 or 1 ½” long. This leaves the document at 8 ½” x 1″ in size.

An 8 ½” x 1″ document is too big to fit into a 4″ x 5″ box. For this reason, the built in scoring wheel scores the 8 ½” wide document in half, allowing it to be easily folded in half into something that is 4 ¼” x 1″. That can now fit into your 4″ x 5″ box.

What if you need to create a standard letter fold size, Z fold size or half fold size document? You can disable to of the 4 folding plates, allowing you to treat your 4-plate machine like a 2 plate machine.

Most 4 plate folding machines (aka pharmaceutical folding machines) can handle a wide range of paper. We currently offer two models that can handle paper ranging in size from 2 3/8″ x 2 ¾” up to 11 ¼” x 11 ¾”. Can you imagine taking a 2 3/8″ x 2 ¾” size piece of paper and multi folding it on 4 folding plates? That is small stuff and pretty amazing!

We currently offer two 4 plate folding machines:

Intelli-Fold DF-304C 4 Plate Folding Machine
Intelli-Fold DF-304VC 4 Plate Folding Machine

The biggest difference between these two models is that the DF-304C uses a standard powered conveyor in the exit tray where the DF-304VC uses a powered vertical stacker.

You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here.

I know this can all be a little confusing, so please feel free to call one of our experts with your questions at 1-800-658-8788. We are more than happy to help you out. Have a great day!

Efficiency, durability and ease-of-use are all features that we should expect in our paper shredders. A good office paper shredder should get the job done quickly without giving you any headaches. One reliable paper shredder that has been on our list of “favorite” shredders for some time is the Dahle 20612EC office paper shredder. This is my review.

Dahle paper shredders have been around for years, and while not widely known among the general public, they have been a huge hit with the government and military. Dahle shredders have developed a solid reputation for being solid machines. These German engineered shredders have all the features most businesses require along with a few additional perks.

The Dahle 20162EC paper shredder is designed for office and departmental use, able to be used by multiple people throughout the day. There are many reasons why you may want to consider this particular model for your company. Here are a few reasons:

Feed Width - The Feed width on the Dahle 20162EC is 10 ¼”. This is a very convenient width for many reasons. This side of shred width can be used to shred envelopes, letter size paper, folded documents and much more. Simply put, it removes a lot of the hassle you find in shredders that only have an 8 ½” wide opening.

Electronic Controls – The controls on the Dahle 20162EC are very intuitive and easy to use. There are only three buttons, with most of the shredder’s operations being automated. These include an on/off, forward and backwards buttons. LED indicator lights let you know when the door is open and when the bag is full. A built-in optical sensor automatically detects paper, turning the shredder on and off as needed.

Chain-Driven Motor – A durable chain-driven motor easily chews through paper. Because this shredder isn’t belt driven, and doesn’t use nylon gears, it easy handles stacks of paper without suffering damage or premature wear. It is very reliable.

Rubber Shock Mounts – Rubber shock mounts have been strategically placed throughout this shredder. These mounts are used to absorb vibrations and noise. Dahle shredders are considered to be some of the quietest paper shredder around.

Security Level 4 – The Dahle 20162EC cuts paper into tiny particles that qualify as a security level 4. These particles measure in at 1/12″ x 9/16″ in size. This is more than enough security for most businesses.

Waste Bin – This shredder has a large 16-gallon bin that holds quite a bit of paper before needing to be changed. This results in fewer back changes on your part.

Overall this shredder is extremely easy to use and easy on the eyes. The sleek design of this shredder allows it to sit next to a wall, near a desk and blend in with existing office equipment.

Even if you aren’t a government or military entity, I highly recommend the Dahle 20162EC for office use. It can easily be used by several people throughout the day, and thanks to a thermally-protected motor, it can be used continuously without the worry of overheating.

You can find the Dahle 20612EC office paper shredder here and our entire selection of Dahle paper shredders here. If Dahle isn’t what you’re looking for, you can find our entire selection of hundreds of paper shredders here.

I recently had a customer ask me if Intelli-Fold and Dynafold where the same company. I can understand the confusion. Many (at least 50%) of the Dynafold machines available are duplicate clones (although built to different standards) than Intelli-Fold paper folders. The parts are even interchangeable on most of our models. I personally consider the Intelli-Fold to be a far better value. I’ll explain why.

As I earlier mentioned, many of the Dynafold machines are clones of Intelli-Fold machines. Here are a few examples:

Intelli-Fold DE-102AF – Dynafold Clone Model: DE-102AF
Intelli-Fold DE-202AF – Dynafold Clone Model: DE-202AF
Intelli-Fold DE-322AF – Dynafold Clone Model: DE-322AF

So why should you consider an Intelli-Fold over a Dynafold? I’ll give you a few good reasons.

• Support – At ABC Office we back up and support every Intelli-Fold paper folder we sell. We can service them, provide you with replacement parts and give you customer support on every model. If you have an issue, call our Service Department at 1-800-658-8788 x129. We are literally more than happy to help you out!
• Quality - While the Dynafold machines and Intelli-Fold machines are visually identical, don’t be tricked into thinking they are the same thing. I’ll be blunt. Dynafold has moved operations to China, which I can only assume is to save money. Intelli-Fold paper folders are still made in the original plant where the classic Dynafold machines used to be built. Intelli-Fold machines, in my opinion, are built to higher-quality standards.
• Decor – Our line of Intelli-Fold paper folding machines use an office-friendly color scheme where many Dynafold machines use a circa 1970s brown and orange color layout.
• Price – Intelli-Fold paper folding machines, built to the highest quality standards, are available to you at a lower price than the Dynafold counterparts. Why pay more when you can get something better for less?

So there you have it! Several good reasons why you should buy and Intelli-Fold paper folding machine over a Dynafold paper folding machine. You can find our entire selection of Intelli-Fold paper folding machines here and all our paper folding machines here.

Feel free to call us at 1-800-658-8788 to speak with one of our paper folder specialists. They should be able to answer all your questions.

While folding 8 ½” x 11″ (letter size) paper is still the most common paper folded today, many people in the print, advertising and copy center industries need a machine that can handle paper up to 11″ x 17″ in size. About 35% of paper folding machines can handle this size. Which model should you consider buying? I have compiled a list of the most reliable and reputable 11″ x 17″ paper folding machines available.

Before I provide you with a list of “best 11 x 17 folding machines,” you will need to answer a few questions:

Question 1: What kind of paper will you be folding? The thickness and type of paper you will be folding is a huge determining factor when purchasing a machine. Friction-feed paper folding machines cannot handle glossy or coated paper. The rollers often slip on the slick surface, resulting in a paper jam. Paper folding machines are also rated on the thickness ranges of paper they can handle. If you are folding card stock, be sure the machine you purchase can handle it.

Question 2: How much paper will you be folding per day? The folding volume is another important factor when selecting a machine. As with any machine, some are rated for occasional use where others are designed for high-volume continuous use. Most paper folding machines will provide you with a folding speed or duty cycle. This should help you narrow down your choices.

The list I am providing you with are machines that have a proven track record. While many of our machines are “good,” this list is simply a compilation of the best. Products are listed in alphabetical order.

Best Machines for Folding 11″ X 17″ Paper

1. Duplo DF-755 Automatic Folding Machine
2. Intelli-Fold DE-172AF Paper Folding Machine
3. Intelli-Fold DE-202AF Paper Folding Machine
4. Intelli-Fold DE-322AF Paper Folding Machine
5. Formax FD 320 Desktop Folding Machine
6. Formax FD 342 Tabletop Folding Machine
7. Formax FD 38X Automatic Paper Folding Machine
8. Formax FD 390 Air Feed Commercial Folding Machine
9. Martin Yale 959 AutoFolder Paper Folder
10. Martin Yale 959AF Air Feed Paper Folding Machine
11. MBM 207M Paper Folding Machine
12. MBM 307A Paper Folding Machine
13. MBM 407A Automatic Programmable Paper Folder

Keep in mind that while all these machines can handle 11″ x 17″ paper, they may not all be able to fold 11″ x 17″ using all common folds. Some 11″ x 17″ machines can only single fold larger paper. Most, however, can handle all folds.

You can find our entire selection of paper folding machines here. Please feel free to call and speak with one of our paper folding experts at 1-800-658-8788 with any questions.

I have been asked my many entrepreneurs and start-up businesses what the best way is to package items such as DVDs, CDS, small boxes and other products for retail sale. My answer is always, “try using a shrink wrap machine.” One of the most reputable shrink wrap machines we offer is the Traco Standard SuperSealer (SS) shrink wrap machine. We use this same machine in our warehouse and I have had many opportunities to use it, including filming an informational video demo.

To begin with, Traco has been around for 27 years and manufactures a variety of I-bar machines, L-bar sealers, shrink wrap systems and offers a wide range of shrink wrap film. I like their products and consider them to be of a good caliber.

The Traco Standard SuperSealer is an I-bar sealer / shrink wrap machine. It is sometimes referred to as a straight-bar sealer. This is because it utilizes a single bar for cutting film, whether it be shrink wrap backs or centerfold shrink film. It includes a heat gun, which is used to complete the shrink wrap process.

This is a video demonstration of me using the Traco SS-24SS SuperSealer.

Overall the results look very professional. The only downside to using an I-bar sealer is that it is very manually involved. You have to manually flip the product to seal the sides (which isn’t difficult). I would estimate 1-2 minutes to package a product, perhaps faster if the operator is experienced. This isn’t slow, but can’t be used for high-volume packaging purposes either.

I have used the SuperSealer shrink wrap machines with PVC and Polyolefin films. PVC is typically ideal for CDs, DVDs and boxes where Polyolefin is great for food, fruit baskets, etc. The included heat gun works very well and quickly shrinks the film down in seconds.

I personally consider the Traco line (both Standard and Delux SuperSealers) to be high quality products. The only other I-bar sealer that I would consider to be of equal quality is the AIE I-bar sealer found here. The AIE machine comes with a starter roll of film, which is pretty nice.

You can find the Traco Standard SuperSealer (SS) shrink wrap machine here and our entire selection of shrink wrap machines here.