The Akiles Megabind 1 is another in a long line of high-quality, solidly-constructed binding machines by Akiles. This heavy-duty, all-metal legal sized plastic comb binding machine has a manual punch with a comb opener. This well-made machine was designed to be used as a complete plastic comb binding solution for medium-volume applications.

Features:

The Megabind 1 has many useful features, including a depth of punch margin control. This control allows you to make your own selection of punching options for the proximity of a hole to the edge of the document. This makes the Megabind 1 ideal for use with all sizes of plastic comb binding spines - from the thinnest, 3/16" diameter spine, up to the thickest up to 2"diameter spine.

In addition, the Megabind 1 also features 24 fully disengageable dies, which allows you to stop any hole from punching, and to easily handle virtually any document length up to 14". The Megabind 1 also has a 14" long plastic comb opener to help you open combs and insert pages on the combs up to 14 inches in length. This is quite handy when binding several books at once. With two handles, the Megabind 1 can punch with one handle and operate the comb-opener with the other. This is an excellent advantage over single-handled machines, which place undo stress on the machine by activating the comb opener during punching (or vice versa).

The machine's manual punch can punch through about 20 sheets of 20lb paper per lift, making it perfectly adequate for most small to medium sized companies and Includes a convenient and easy-to-use document sizing guide on the table of the machine, helping you select the right comb-size, no matter how simple or complex your project, or how large or small your document.

Limitations:

Among its many positive features, the Megabind 1 has a manual punching mechanism great for small to medium sized companies who bind documents on a weekly basis. There are, however, some limitations to the machine. For example; companies who bind documents often, or bind a high volume of documents might benefit from a machine with an electric punching mechanism. This could mean that the Megabind 1E, also made by Akiles is a better option for your higher-volume needs.

The Megabind 1 is a highly functional machine at a great value, but its next generation, the Megabind 2 includes a convenient and easy to use wire closer that can be used with spiral-o 19 loop wire. This feature makes the cost of the Megabind 2 slightly higher, but it provides you with the ability to use an entirely new binding style for an additional $75, making it hard to pass up.

Construction:

Like other binders in the Akiles family, the Megabind 1 is extremely reliable, and built with all metal components. This heavy-duty construction is indicative of Akiles well-made line of binding equipment and the Megabind is no exception. The two handle design will extend the life of the machine, and allow for prolonged use, provided you don't punch things you shouldn't. For example, do not punch; more than 2 clear covers at a time, metal, wood, or any other heavy duty material that could damage the punching heads.

Recommendation:

The Akiles Megabind 1 is an excellent choice for an organization that is looking for a highly reliable legal size plastic comb binding machine. It is built extremely well and has features that highly recommend it.

Potential buyers, however, may want to consider the Megabind 2, which provides the ability to bind documents with wire for just a few dollars more. Given this fact, the Megabind 2 may be the most cost effective choice, depending on your volume needs. Either way, both the Megabind 1 and the Megabind 2 are excellent machines, with built-in reliability. Niether of the machines would need replacement unless your future capacity needs increase, which may lead you to upgrading to an electric punch machine, which is much more suitable for large volume applications.