Common Binding Machine Problems and How to Solve Them

By Jeff McRitchie

job, jobs, career

If you have a plastic comb, twin-loop wire, or color coil binding machine, you're probably glad that it's pretty easy to operate. However, even the most user-friendly machine can give you problems once in a while whether its due to user error or because there's something wrong with the device. Here's some of the most common problems people experience with their binding machines as well as some tips on how to fix them so you can finish the job.

• It's hard to turn the pages of your document. If you run into this problem, it could be one of two things. First, you may have picked a binding element (comb, wire, coil) that's too small. If that's the case, you can re-bind your work with something larger. Second, it could be that your work's binding is too close to - or too far away from - the edge of the pages. Consult your owner's manual to determine the correct punch setting for next time.
• The punching handle gets stuck in position. The handle can get stuck in place if the machine gets jammed up. The best way to handle this is by continuing to carefully punch your document until you can remove your paper. (Don't try to forcefully remove the sheets. This can really damage your device.)You can then check to see how jammed the machine is and fix the problem accordingly.
• The holes were punched crookedly. Sometimes your document won't get punched properly which can make it difficult to properly bind it. If you find that the holes are crooked, be sure to align the paper properly next time. If the machine is jammed due to paper chips, you can use something thin to clear away the debris.
• The device didn't punch the holes as cleanly as it should. If you punch your document and you find that the holes aren't crisp, it means that you're punching too many sheets at a time. Punch less sheets at once and the problem should be solved.
• One of the holes runs off the edge of the page. Finally, you may find sometime that you have an incomplete hole at one (or both) ends of your document. The best way to prevent this is to use paper that's the right size for your device and making sure your documents are aligned properly before you lower the punching handle. This may involve tweaking the edge adjustment guide if your device has one.

These are some of the most common problems people experience when using their comb, wire, and/or coil binding machines. Luckily, these issues are pretty easy to deal with so you won't have to spend a lot of time troubleshooting. You'll be able to fix things and continue binding. If you have a problem that's beyond the scope of this article, check out your owner's manual or get in touch with a service technician just to be safe. (Especially since trying to fix things yourself might inadvertently void your device's warranty.) Good luck with your projects!