So you need a comb binding machine and are considering the Fellowes Quasar 500 as a possible option. The only problem is you don’t know if this is the comb binding machine for you. You’re in luck. This is a detailed review of the Fellowes Quasar 500. I will discuss the pros and cons of this comb binding machine.

Fellowes has been making shredders for a long time and they have since dived into the laminator and binding machine market as well. One of their newest additions is the Quasar 500 manual and the Quasar 500 electric. Both of these machines are essentially the same in design with the only difference being the manner in which paper is punched.  I will be covering the manual version

The Fellowes Quasar 500 manual is a compact comb binding machine designed for low-volume binding jobs. It is called the Quasar 500 because it is able to comb bind up to 500 sheets of paper at a time. This equals about a two-inch thick book. This is pretty nice for a machine this compact.

Fellowes has hired some very talented office equipment designers. As is the case with their shredders, the Fellowes line of binding machines are very attractive in their design. This makes it easy to put a Fellowes binding machine on your desk without it detracting from the ambiance.

One of the biggest pros of the Fellowes Quasar 500 is the vertical load punching die. Most comb binding machines have the paper punched horizontally. Because the Quasar punches the paper vertically, the holes more easily line up and paper is punched evenly (thanks to gravity).

One thing I wish the Quasar had was selectable punching dies. In this price range, selectable punching dies are not very common, however, Akiles does make a machine in that price range with selectable dies.

I do consider the Fellowes Quasar 500 to be a good comb binding machine. As is the case with most Fellowes products, the build quality isn’t as good as it should be.  Fellowes does offer some of the best warranties available though, so if you do experience any issues, getting your Fellowes comb binder fixed shouldn’t be a problem.

Here are a couple of Quasar 500 alternatives:

• Akiles EcoBind-C Plastic Comb Binding Machine
• GBC CombBind C110 Comb Binding Machine
• Tahsin 190PB – A Portable Comb Binder

You will find our entire selection of manual comb binding machines here. Do you own a Fellowes Quasar 500? Post your experience here in a comment.

Comb binding can be used for scrapbooking, to create books, bind reports and much more. Comb binding is still one of the most widely used binding formats used today. There are many reasons for this.

• Comb binding is easy. Simply punch the paper an insert the spine.
• Comb binding spines are available in a wide variety of colors.
• Comb binding spines are extremely cheap compared to other binding styles.
• Comb binding spines are very durable. They can take a beating and still maintain their appearance.
• Comb binding allows pages to be added and removed.
• Comb binding spines can be re-used, which is environmentally sound and saves money.

Comb binding machines come in both electric and manual designs. So why would you ever want to pick one over another. Are electric comb binding machines really faster than manual comb binding machines?

Manual Comb Binders:

Manual comb binding machines are more than adequate for most people. These machines are referred to as manual because the punching is done by pulling a handle. They are rated for low to medium-volume use.

Why not high volume use? This isn’t necessarily because a manual biding machine can’t bind large volumes of books, but is because a person will become tired after manually punching paper throughout the day, not to mention manually punching hundreds of books can become tedious. You will find our entire selection of manual comb binding machines here.

Electric Comb Binders

Electric comb binding machines are very convenient to use. They are branded electric because the punching is typically done by an electric-powered motor. While most electric punches punch more paper than a manual punch machine, this isn’t always the case.

Electric comb binding machines are most ideal for medium to high-volume comb binding. This is because the electric punch requires little manual effort and does not tire a person out like a manual-punch machine can over time.

Electric comb binders don’t have to be used for high volume binding. Many people simply prefer the convenience of an electric punch to a manual punch. You will find our entire selection of electric comb binding machines here.

You can learn more about comb binding machines by reading our comb binding guide found here.