| Overview: | | | | - The CoilMac-ER includes a high quality pair of spiral |
| - The Akiles CoilMac ER is a relatively new coil binding | | | | coil crimping pliers. These pliers are used to cut and |
| machine that is designed for small and medium sized | | | | crimp the ends of your coils so that they don't spin |
| organizations that are on a budget. | | | | back off your documents. It is very difficult to finish |
| - This machine is built on the exact same platform as | | | | coil bound books without crimping pliers. Plus they |
| the classic Akiles CoilMac M. However, Akiles has | | | | have a value of about $30. |
| added a small electric coil inserter to the top of the | | | | Weaknesses / Limitations: |
| machine to help increase productivity. | | | | - Although the Coilmac-ER includes a coil inserter it is |
| - The CoilMac-ER is designed for organizations that | | | | fairly small and is inconveniently located on the top of |
| don't do enough volume to warrant purchasing the | | | | the machine near the back. The inserter only includes |
| more expensive Coilmac-ECI but who want the | | | | one roller (as opposed to two on many other |
| electric inserter that isn't included on the CoilMac-M | | | | inserters) and is only about six inches long. This |
| Strengths / Features: | | | | makes it less effective for spinning larger sized coils |
| - The Coilmac-ER is designed to punch a 4:1 pitch | | | | or binding a large number of books. For a few |
| hole-pattern with four holes per inch and 43 holes on | | | | hundred dollars more, the Coilmac-ECI offers a much |
| an eleven inch binding edge. This means that you can | | | | higher quality coil inserter. However, on a tight budget |
| use this machine with standard 4:1 pitch spiral coils in | | | | most small companies should be able to make this |
| sizes between 6mm and 50mm. However, the small | | | | inserter work for their needs. |
| coil inserter on the top of this machine is really only | | | | - This CoilMac-ER has a 13" punching throat with five |
| going to be effective with spines up to 7/8" in size | | | | disengageable pins for use with common paper sizes. |
| (22mm). You can still bind larger sized books but you | | | | It can easily handle letter, half letter or standard |
| will need to spin the coils onto the documents by | | | | European paper sizes and using its open throat it can |
| hand. | | | | be punch longer sheets. However, it is not ideal for |
| - The punch on this machine is rated for punching up | | | | punching odd sized sheets. Attempting to punch non |
| to seventeen sheets of twenty pound paper at a | | | | standard length papers will most likely result in a |
| time. It is also capable of punching up to two clear | | | | half-hole on the edge of your documents. |
| covers or plastic sheets at a time. Although there are | | | | - The punching capacity of this machine is excellent |
| heavier duty punches available on the market, this is | | | | for its price point. However, large organizations and |
| an excellent punching capacity considering the price | | | | volume users will most likely want to look at a |
| point of this machine. | | | | machine that offers either an electric punch or a |
| - The Coilmac-ER is essentially an Akiles CoilMac-M | | | | larger manual punching capacity. |
| with an electric coil inserter. For years the Coilmac-M | | | | Recommendation: |
| has been one of the most popular coil binding | | | | - With a price that is only about fifty dollars more |
| machines on the market. It is known throughout the | | | | than the CoilMac-M this machine is definitely worth |
| industry for its strength, durability and versatility. | | | | considering as an upgrade. |
| Likewise, the new CoilMac-ER is built with the same | | | | - It includes a pair of crimping pliers and a small coil |
| high quality metal components and durable steel body. | | | | inserter, neither of which are included on the manual |
| These things should help to ensure that this machine | | | | Coil Mac. |
| will last for years without the need for any | | | | - The metal construction and excellent feature set of |
| maintenance. | | | | this machine help to set it apart from other similarly |
| - With a small coil inserter mounted on the top of the | | | | priced units. |
| unit, this machine is one of the least expensive and | | | | - However, users who need to bind more than a few |
| most feature rich coil binding machines that is | | | | dozen books per week or who need to bind thick |
| available anywhere. It's construction and the fact that | | | | documents may want to consider a unit with a larger |
| it includes a coil inserter help to make it an excellent | | | | punching capacity, a better coil inserter or possibly an |
| value for your money. | | | | electric punch. |