The Star Plus manual binding machine was my first purchase of its kind. I went for the cheapest model ($60) because I wasn't sure how easy or practical it would be for everyday use...
It just arrived and I am happy to report that I am in love! I remember using one of these in a grade school class once, it seemed huge and hard to use at the time. The Star Plus is very compact and takes up minimal space on my crafting desk.
The Packaging: A
The shipment arrived in a huge box but packed well enough that the box inside did not move around. Once I took the 2nd brown box out of the brown Amazon box, I was greeted with the ACTUAL white box of the binding machine nestled between two packing egg-cartons that kept it secure. There was not much inside, just the machine and 2 slips of paper (warranty and a very useless starter guide).
The Machine: A-
The Star Plus was surprisingly heavy for its size; a good thing. It gives off that feeling of "I'll last for years!" every time I touch or lift of pull on anything. The only thing I dislike is the high gloss finish on the white parts of the machine, but I'll get over it. I've also read reviews where this particular model does wear down over time for others... I'm not sure how heavy they used it, but I'll wait and see. From what I can tell from handling mine, I think it should last long enough to pay for itself.
Instructions: F
The instructions that came in the box are pretty useless. I went on YouTube and watched a 5 minute video to figure out how to use the machine.
Ease of Operation: A+
My favorite part of the whole thing is how easy (and fast) it is for me to bind my own books. This is how simple it is to use:
1) Lift the handle and lid up
2) Slip the covers/papers into the slot
3) Pull the handle down and back up again to punch your holes
4) Place the comb behind the teeth and push it towards you so that they take up the space between each teeth. Make sure that the opening is facing up and that solid spine part is facing down
5) Pull the left lever toward you until it opens the comb wide enough for you to slip the paper in
6) Slip the punched papers into the teeth
7) Push the lever away from you to close the comb and finish binding
I love that I can put a bound book back between the teeth to open and edit the pages freely! There is also a tray that holds all the punched mess. There are probably other features I haven't tried yet, but for now, this is all I need to get my book done in a couple minutes.
The Cost: A+
Buying from Amazon was the best option. It was about 50% off retail. But more importantly, the component materials were also very cheap on Amazon. There were 8 sizes of combs available to my 150 page capacity machine. The first 4 boxes of 100 each were around $5 each. The other 4 boxes of 100s were about $10 each. They retail for about $15. I also ordered the clear plastic covers but may just look for some heavy cardstock to make my own covers in the future.
This was a much cheaper alternative to the thermal (Helios) machines I was looking at. Those thermal covers cost so much! Plus, I like the ability to remove/add to my books with the comb system. And the fact that I don't have to plug anything in or worry about heating problems.
If my Star Plus ever breaks down or if I ever feel the need to bind more than 150 pages at a time, I won't hesitate to purchase the higher models. Just wish I'd bought one of these things sooner.
| Manufacturer | Fellowes |
|---|---|
| Brand | Fellowes |
| Item Weight | 9.7 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 3.13 x 9.81 x 17.69 inches |
| Item model number | 5006501 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Color | Gray |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Size | 3.1" x 17.7" x 9.8" |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 5006501 |
