Is your shredder on its last leg? Does it sound a sawmill? Paper shredders can suffer from a wide variety of issues and ailments. This ranges from broken gears, chipped shredder blades, blown fuses and much more. So is it possible to get your paper shredder back up and running?

While not all paper shredders can be brought back from the dead, many can experience a second life. We have a Service Department that can get replacement shredder heads, gears, control panels, switches and much more. It certainly can’t hurt to ask and won’t cost you to present a question.

You can contact our Service Department by calling 1-800-658-8788 x129 or by filling out this form.

If for any reason your shredder can’t be revived, or costs to much to repair, we have a great selection of new paper shredders found here. This includes home, office, deskside, departmental and industrial paper shredders.

So you want to bind a custom-size book using wire, but can’t seem to track down wire available in the right length. The only double loop wire that seems to be available is 11-inches long. Are there any custom wire options? Here are a few ideas you may want to consider.

I completely understand the need and the desire to wire bind books in custom sizes. Not everyone wants to use, read or bind books that are 11-inches long. You may want to bind a photo album that is only 6-inches long, or perhaps a cookbook that is only 8-inches long. So what are your options with wire?

Unfortunately double loop wire is not sold in custom lengths, but don’t worry. Our customers are very creative and have come up with easy ways to bind custom books using standard 11-inch wire.

What’s the magic tool they use? They use a pair of wire snips. Really. It’s that simple. Wire binding supplies are made from a very thing gauge of wire, which is simple to snip shorter to the length you need.

Customers tell me they will put the 11-inch wire in the punched holes and then slip the excess wire prior to closing. You can’t tell the wire is snipped and it still looks professional.

This method of custom wire binding can be applied to 2:1, 3:1 and 19-ring Spiral-O wire. Custom-length binding supplies usually cost more than the standard 11-inch supplies anyway.

You can find our wire binding supplies here. You can find our wire binding machines here.

Still have questions about custom wire binding? Give us a call and speak with one of our binding experts at 1-800-658-8788. You can also post your questions in a comment.

Do you need a reliable stack paper cutter that can cut down print jobs, card stock and other paper-based material? One machine you should seriously consider is the MBM Triumph 4215 electric stack paper cutter by Ideal. I have had an opportunity to use this cutter and this is my review.

In case you aren’t familiar with the Triumph line of cutters from MBM, most people consider them to be the most reliable and dependable stack paper cutters around. MBM, the parent company, makes paper cutters (Triumph, Kutrimmer), Destroyit shredders and other fishing equipment. This equipment is German engineered and German Made.

The Triumph 4215 stack cutter is the big brother to the manual Triumph 4205. The biggest difference is that the Triumph 4215 has an electric blade that does all the cutting and a digital display rather than an analog ruler for measurements. The clamping mechanism is still manual, but takes just seconds to apply. It is considered to be a semi-automatic paper cutter.

The 4215 is extremely easy to use. You can adjust the backstop in just seconds. Simply wind the guide handle, located on the front of the machine, either clockwise or counter clockwise. A digital display located on the front of the machine will let you know exactly what the measurements are in inches or centimeters.

Once measurements have been set, simply put your paper in the cutter, pull down the protective plexiglass cover and push the buttons to bring down the blade. A couple of buttons are required to be pressed simultaneously. This is done for safety, ensuring no hands are in or near the blade during the cutting process. The cutter won’t operate while the protective guard is up.

The Triumph 4215 can cut paper up to 16-inches wide and can cut as stack as thick as 1 ½-inches. This can be paper, card stock and other material. For the size of the machine, this is very impressive. It can be used on a durable work bench or solid table, but is available with an optional stand as well. The cutter’s shipping weight is 191 pounds.

One really nice feature I have found with the Triumph 4215 is that the Solingen steel blade seems to stay sharp for an extra long time. When the blade becomes dull, it can be removed and be re-sharpened. Many stack cutter manufacturers use blades that dull quickly and cannot be re-sharpened. This is definitely something you should take into consideration when buying your machine.

Overall I really like this machine. I have enjoyed every Triumph cutter I have used. They are some of the most solid cutters I have ever used and the build quality is unsurpassed.

You can find the MBM Triumph 4215 electric stack cutter here. You can find our entire selection of stack paper cutters here.

I had someone recently ask me if it is possible to laminate a sheet of card stock or paper that has already been folded. This was in relation to restaurant menus, but can be applied to many other projects. The answer is fairly short and simple.

You can laminate paper that has already been folded, but you probably won’t be happy with the results. This is because the crease in folded paper creates an uneven surface. While this surface can be laminated, air will often get trapped under the lamination film and the end result will be pretty ugly.

Standard copy paper may come out just fine, but card stock is where you run into the biggest problems. This isn’t to say it will always turn out bad, but I can’t make any promises. The uneven ridge created by the fold is hard for the laminator to flatten out.

If you need to fold something that is laminated, I recommend using a paper scoring machine. These machines, sometimes called creasers, will crease the paper down the middle, making it easy to fold. The end result looks great.

So in relation to menus, I highly recommend laminating them first and then scoring them. You will be happy with the results.

You can find our laminators here and our paper scoring machines here. Still have questions about laminating and folding paper? Contact one of our specialists at 1-800-658-8788 or post your question in a comment.

Have a great day!

Finding a good rotary paper trimmer can be tough and finding one that is affordable can be even more difficult. One model you may want to consider is Dahle’s 550 series of professional rotary paper trimmers. This includes the Dahle 550, 552 and 554 trimmers. We have some of these cutters on our showroom floor and I have had a chance to use them. This is my review.

The Dahle 550 series of rotary trimmers, sometimes called rolling paper trimmers, are often brought up as alternatives to Rotatrim paper trimmers. This is because the Dahle 550 series trimmers bring a similar level of quality and productivity at a lower price.

The Dahle 550, 552 and 554 are pretty much the same cutters, but are in different lengths. Each trimmer uses a round rolling blade to cut material. The blade looks a lot like a pizza cutter wheel and even rotates as it is being used.

These trimmers can be used to cut paper, photographs, card stock, laminated documents and more. They are rated to be able to cut up to 20 sheets of standard 20# paper at a time. This number will decrease if you are cutting thicker material or card stock.

Capacity isn’t the selling point for a rotary trimmer though. What most people consider to be most important is precision and the ability to cut a straight line. The Dahle 550 series trimmers can do this well. The cutting head is easy to use and slides easily along the bar. The clamping mechanism seems to hold the paper well, preventing crooked cuts.

One feature I would like to see in the Dahle 550 line of trimmers is two sliding rails instead of just one for the cutting head. Multiple rails, as found in the Rotatrim Professional Series, make the trimmer more stable when cutting multiple sheets of paper. The single rail used does still seem to be stable and should still provide accuracy when cutting photographs and other material.

The Dahle 550, 552 and 554 have a printed grid patterns on the base of the trimmer. This grid can be used to align pictures, paper and helps to ensure a straight cut. Be aware, however, that the grid is in metric measurements. Even the common paper sizes printed on the base are metric paper sizes (A4, A5, etc.). I would like to see grid patterns in inches for those of us in the United States.  It does, however, include a side ruler in inches.

Overall I consider the Dahle 550 series of trimmers to be good machines, especially for the price. Are they as good as Rotatrim? No, but that is like comparing a Ford to a Porsche. The Porsche is great, but the Ford is probably just fine for most people.

You can find the Dahle 550, 552 and 554 professional rotary trimmers here. You can find our entire selection of rotary paper cutters here.

Are you looking for a fast, affordable and convenient way to package meat, fruits, vegetables, liquids and powders? One machine you may want to consider using is the Minipack MVS 31 vacuum food sealer. I have used this machine and this is my review.

In case you aren’t familiar with them, Minipack is one of the most reputable and well-known manufacturers of industrial / commercial shrink wrap machines and vacuum sealers in the United States. Minipack is an Italian company and their line of products are designed and made in Italy. They are known for their high build quality and reliability.

The Minipack MVS 31 is what’s commonly referred to as a chamber sealer. You essentially place your product in a vacuum sealer bag and place in the machine. Once the lid is pulled down, the MVS 31 will remove 99.9% of the air inside the chamber, seal the bag shut and return the atmosphere in the chamber back to normal.

The result is an air-tight seal that helps protect and preserve food. Vacuum sealed food is perfect for sometimes tripling or more the life expectancy of food. You will commonly find vacuum-sealed food in the grocery store such as fish, chicken breasts, vegetables and more. It can also be used to package non-food items without any problems. The MVS 31 can do all this in its 12.75″ X 11.75″ X 6″ chamber.

Unlike many comparable vacuum sealers, the MVS 31 uses a seamless design which is perfect for food. This means if you do experience a spill, the basin of the vacuum sealer can easily be wiped down. The MVS 31 is not made from sharp and cheap sheet metal, it is made from high quality stainless steel (AISI 304 according to CE standards). Even the sealing bar is designed to be clean and sanitary.

Another nice feature of the MVS 31 is the lid. The lid can be completely opened up, which means you don’t have to deal with an annoying gas piston that keeps failing.

The operation of the MVS 31 is pretty automated. There are no complex dials or fine-tuned adjustments to be made. There is a simple-to-use digital panel that allows the operator to adjust the amount of air removed and the sealing time. The machine does the rest.

The MVS 31 does have the ability to be used with an inert gas kit (optional) for added food preservation. This means you can remove the air and replace it with another cuts down or eliminates bacteria.

Overall I am very impressed with the MVS 31. This machine is tough and is designed for commercial and industrial use without hesitation. The build quality is excellent, and for the price, is well worth it. It is designed to last you for years of reliable use.

You can find the Minipack MVS 31 vacuum food sealer here. You can find our entire selection of vacuum food sealers here.

Whether you are working with wedding invitations, printing certificates or need a unique look on your business cards, you may be able to benefit from foil fusing technology. One model that has a great reputation and years of trouble-free use is the Banner American Model 1200 foil fuser. I have used this model for years and this is my review.

Many people confuse foil fusing with foil stamping. I can understand. The end results look very similar, but the process is completely different. Foil fusers (aka color foilers) take metallic foil, of multiple colors, and fuse it to toner. This is the same toner that is used in laser printers and toner-based copy machines.

This means you can print text, a logo or an intricate design and completely fuse it with foil. The end result is foil covered text, logo or design. The foil fuses in a professional way with nice clean edges.

I have personally used the Model 1200 foil fuser to fuse certificates, CD labels and business cards. The Model 1200 can use foil rolls up to11-inches wide, however, eight-inch rolls are more commonly used because they can cover most of an 8 ½ x 11 sheet of paper.

Some people have asked me, “What if I don’t want the entire paper foil fused?” This isn’t a problem and there is an easy solution. What you need to do is print what you need foil fused, then fuse the paper and later run it through the printer or copy machine again to add the rest of the text.

The Model 1200 foil fuser can easily be used throughout the day without breaking down or suffering any damage. I have used the foil fuser for eight-hours straight, foil fusing CD labels, and didn’t have any problems.

There are two adjustments that are important for making sure the Model 1200 runs properly. These adjustments are the speed and the temperature, both of which are completely adjustable. If the foil doesn’t seem to be sticking properly, this may indicate the machine is either running too cool or too fast. After a few minor adjustments, the machine is up and ready to go.

The Model 1200 foil fuser is a must-have item if you run a copy shop, a print shop or operate a business making invitations, certificates or cards. I personally really like the machine and am confident that it will provide you with years of trouble-free use.

You can find the Banner American Model 1200 foil fuser here. You can find our entire selection of foil stamping and printing machines here.

Do you need to add a digital signature to form such as MS Word, Adobe and other software programs? One piece of equipment you may want to consider using is the Topaz SigLite 1 x 5 T-S460 electronic signature capture pad. This is my review.

To begin with, Topaz makes some of the easiest-to-use signature capture tablets available today. The support level available for these signature pads is unprecedented. If you have a program that can use a signature capture pad, a Topaz pad will probably work.

Topaz has developer kits available, making it possible to integrate Topaz electronic signature pads into a wide variety of software applications.  I have seen people use these kits to integrate signature capture pads for use with state driver’s license departments, pharmacies and much more. You can find some of Topaz’s developer tools here.

Topaz SigLite capture pads are very similar to Topaz SignatureGem pads. The have the high-quality biometric and forensic capture techniques of a SignatureGem tablet but with a low-cost touchpad and stylus in place of the active electromagnetic pen and sensor.

The Topaz SigLite 1 x 5 T-S460 will work with programs such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, Excel and other programs right out of the box. It includes drivers and software that run in the background, capturing the signature and allowing the user to paste that in to just about any program that has a “paste-capable” field.

The SigLite T-S460 has a signing area that is one inch tall and five inches wide. It has a capture life of 10,000 signatures. For the price, that is really good. If you need a machine capable of capturing more signatures, you may want to consider using a SignatureGem. Many of our Topaz SignatureGem pads have a 250,000 plus signature lifespan.

I have used this pad to apply signatures to the back of photo ID cards without any problems, using Card 5 software. The SigLite T-S460 is extremely portable, very easy to set up and is simple to use. It is available in a USB or serial design. Overall, I consider it to be a great value.

You can find the Topaz SigLite 1 x 5 T-S460 electronic signature capture pad here. You can find our entire selection of Topaz signature pads here.

Are you in need of an electric stapler that can be used to do both saddle and flat stapling? One model you may want to consider is the ISP Rapid 106 electric saddle stapler. I have used this exact stapler and this is my review.

To begin with, the ISP Rapid 106 electric stapler is used for stapling booklets, paper, retail packaging, chipboard and more. It is considered by many people to be one of the most versatile electric staplers available today. It has been around for years and continues to use the same time-tested design as it had 10+ years ago.

The Rapid 106 is designed to be mounted to the edge of a counter, table or workbench by use of a clamp. It is very easy to mount, and once installed, is very solid. It is easy to loosen the clamp and re-position the stapler if needed.

The Rapid 106 is electric powered, using a motor to staple paper. The staple head is capable of stapling through up to 40 sheets of standard 20# paper at a time, which is pretty nice for an electric stapler. The staple head itself has a pressure adjustment dial that allows the operator to adjust the striking force of the stapling head against the anvil, depending on the amount of paper being stapled.

The motor can be activated by use of a micro-switch or a foot pedal. This versatility makes the Rapid 106 extremely easy to use. I personally like using the food pedal because I can hold the paper with two hands. This is often referred to as hands-free operation.

A guide can be set up if you are double stapling paper for booklet making. Simply slide the folded paper one direction, staple and then slide the paper to the other side of the guide and staple again.

The entire stapling process takes just seconds. While I have personally used this stapler more for saddle stapling, the stapling platform can be adjusted for flat stapling. This adjustment takes just seconds. The ability to do both saddle and flat stapling is really nice in a stapler of this size.

One of the nicest features is the Rapid 106’s ability to be linked up with several staplers for simultaneous operation. This is sometimes referred to as ganging. A kit is available for the Rapid 106 that will allow multiple staplers to be used at the same time.

Overall I really like the ISP Rapid 106. It is very affordable, considering what it does, and the production speed benefits over a manual stapler are tremendous. It can be used for heavy-duty and continuous stapling without any problems. I highly recommend this model.

You can find the ISP Rapid 106 electric saddle stapler here. You can find our entire selection of staplers here.

Are you in need of a compact, durable and commercial-quality pouch laminator that can be used to laminate ID cards, business cards and other material? One pouch laminating machine you may want to consider using is the Banner American PL4A pouch laminator. I have used this laminator and this is my review.

Banner American, the people who make the PL4A, have been making laminators for years now. In fact, the actual design of the PL4A has been around since I started working for ABC Office 10 years ago. The design has been tried and tested. Customer complaints are nil.

The Banner American PL4A is a 3 ¾-inch wide pouch laminator primarily designed to laminate photo ID cards, luggage tags, business cards, photographs and other documents. Not only does the PL4A do this quickly, it does it well.

The PL4A utilizes a four roller system, which is really nice (and uncommon) for a laminator this small.  Four rollers, versus two, more evenly distributes heat and pressure. This means fewer bubbles, ripples and cloudy results.

The PL4A is capable of using laminating film up to 10 mils thick. This is the thickest film that we sell. This means you can laminate documents using 3, 5, 7 and 10 mil film.

The adjustable temperature, located on the bottom of the machine, makes it possible to get the perfect temperature for the item you are laminating. The PL4A is even available in a version called the PL4AT that includes a built in thermometer for precision.

Another nice feature about the PL4A is that it has separate motor and temperature controls. This means you can keep the PL4A fully warmed without having the motor running. Laminators that use one single switch for heat and motor often suffer premature motor issues.

One thing I would like to see in the PL4A is more digital controls. The PL4A is very analog with switches and dials. This is more of a wish than a complaint. Of course the PL4A is a solid machine and as the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This is probably the case with the PL4A.

I have to say that the PL4A, after having used it for years, is probably my favorite pouch laminator in the four-inch range. It simply works well, very well.

You can find the Banner American PL4A pouch laminator here. You can find our entire selection of pouch laminators here.