Comb Binding

glider3560

Does anyone know where I can get a cheap document comb binding machine and some combs?

My university's print service department charge £2.50 to bind a document plus 30p per plastic cover sheet (two needed per document). That's the internal price that they charge departments - not sure of the price for students but it will be at least £2.50 + VAT.

The local MBE store charges £3.99 :shock:

Both prices seem very excessive when my sixth form college charged just 15p for the comb and 5p for the acetate (and apparently still made a profit).

melancholly

had a look at various websites from the usual suspects (viking, staples, ryman) - looks like you can get them from about £40-50, plus the cost of the combs. depends on how heavy duty you want the binder to be too - some will only go through a few pages, others will go through more.

essentially you'll need to be doing a lot of binding to make it worthwhile to buy one!

atypical

There's one here for £15, though it's probably reflected in the quality:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FELLOWES-COMB-BINDER-BINDING-MACHINE-HOME-OFFICE-/260642593076?pt=UK_BOI_Office_Office_Supplies_Stationery_ET&hash=item3caf825934

You can could perhaps try your public central library.

teeb

My uni charge £2 for the privelege.

You could probably set up a small table outside the library on various deadline days, charging £1 or so a go and make a fair profit.

Char_pdc

Hi,

For this cost would they bind it for you - or would you still have to bind it yourself?

At my uni the library had a binding machine and you asked there for the combs and plastic/card coversheets. £1(ish) for the comb depending on the size and then 15p for two sheets.

glider3560

Char_pdc wrote: »

For this cost would they bind it for you - or would you still have to bind it yourself?

They would do it for me.

I've heard that one department here offer a cheaper service to their students - I might pop over and see if they'll bind my work

Char_pdc

glider3560 wrote: »

They would do it for me.

I've heard that one department here offer a cheaper service to their students - I might pop over and see if they'll bind my work

So there isn't anywhere at your uni where you can bind your own work then - after you have paid/bought combs and acetate?

glider3560

Char_pdc wrote: »

So there isn't anywhere at your uni where you can bind your own work then - after you have paid/bought combs and acetate?

Not that I'm aware of. The Union's "Print Shop" has recently closed down, with all work being transferred to the university's own printing department who provide binding as a service (instead of a DIY facility).

Char_pdc

glider3560 wrote: »

Not that I'm aware of. The Union's "Print Shop" has recently closed down, with all work being transferred to the university's own printing department who provide binding as a service (instead of a DIY facility).

Oh ok....that's different from anything I've experienced in the three universities I've studied/worked in.

Back to your OP - afraid I don't know anywhere you could buy a cheap binder. Will you need to bind much work - as it might be more economical to pay for the service, rather than the binding machine?

kazzah60

having worked in a print shop I can tell you I would charge £10 per copy if I had my way!!!!!!!!
oh - the comb binding machine we had was horrible - I HATED doing the job and would avoid it at all costs !

there is a knack - and I just never seemed to master it - yuk !!

OP - hope you get yours sourced a bit cheaper though!