Fellowes 5006801-99 Binding Machine Pulsar+ Comb Binding (5006801)

I’ve had this binding machine for about two years, and I’ve used it for at least 100 different books on family history and genealogy topics, ranging in size from 20-500 pages. It’s sturdy and works flawlessly. And, it’s saved me a LOT of money and time over going to an office supply store to have them do what I can now do myself.I’ve only had two problems:(1) not fully learning how to use it in the beginning - I am NOT crafty in any stretch of the imagination, so I needed to read the instructions and play with it at the beginning before I figured out how to use it. Once you figure it out once, though, it’s quite easy every time, even if it’s been awhile between uses.(2) very occasionally the pages / covers don’t get punched properly, but every single time it’s been because I’ve been in a rush; it’s never been the machine’s fault.Just make sure you keep paying attention to each step as you make each book, have a few size combs as options, and, have back and front covers if you need an extra level of niceness, and you’re good.After trying lots of different methods for books, these are my recommendations for great covers and paper, all of which work great with this binding machine. Genealogy and family history books are great, but when they're printed on garbage and put together like garbage, it takes away from the information I've put together. It's awesome when you put together something for someone and they're blown away the second they see the book, before they've even opened it.---------------------COVERSNote: the covers suggested here are thicker than the flimsy samples that come with the machineGeneral cover suggestions:- get thicker covers (8 mil) these bend but are not at all flimsy, and they work great with this machine- get oversized (8.75" x 11.25" vs 8.5" x 11") it just looks tidier, and covers your books better- get them in bulk: the price drops significantly when you get larger quantities in a package, so go with the 100 sized packages if possible- only put one cover in your binder at a time - you'll have less mistakes that way.Binding Front Cover recommendations:(1) Fellowes 52311 Crystal Clear Presentation Covers with Round Corners, 8mil Oversize Letter, Clear (Pack of 100)https://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Binding-Presentation-Covers-52089/dp/B0015ZXIL2I'm not crazy about how the Crystal Clear covers feel. They feel like they'll scratch up like crazy, but then they really don't. You can't beat them price-wise. Right now 100 packs are about $18, which comes to .18 a cover.(2) Fellowes Futura Premium Heavyweight Presentation Covers, Oversize Letter, Frosted, 25 Pack (5224201)https://www.amazon.com/Fellowes-Binding-Presentation-Covers-52089/dp/B0196JUY7YThe Frosted ones are amazing. They're see-through yet frosted just enough to give them a much more professional look and feel than the crystal clear ones, in my opinion. Unfortunately I've only been able to find them in 25 packs, where they cost about .90 cents to $1 each. If you hunt around a little you can find a bit better of a deal, but no where near as low as the clear ones. If the costs were closer between the two types, I'd only use frosted.Binding Back Cover recommendation:Fellowes Binding Presentation Covers, Oversize Letter, 200 Pack, Black (52138)https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y9FB0GAt about $22.50 for 200, these are a fantastic deal at less than .12 each.---------------------PAPERIf you want great paper, this is the stuff to get:Hammermill Paper, Premium Color Copy 8.5 x 11 Acid Free, 28lb, 100 Bright, 5 Reams / 2,500 Sheets (102450C)https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EO3QHG/If you get it on the Subscribe and Save deal, it's currently about $40.50 a box, which comes to about .0162 cents per page. SO worth it. It feels fantastic, is wholly opaque, prints great in an ink jet. Absolutely hands down the best paper I've ever used. People WILL comment on it, and will think you spent a crazy amount of money on it.Note!! Because the paper is a lot heavier than most kinds people use, you have to account for that when choosing a comb / spine size. I made a little chart that I taped onto the binder itself to remind me what size comb to use with the 28 lb paper. If you have less comb sizes, use the next size up. The chart is attached as an image to this review.

I’m very happy with this binder machine! It works perfectly right out of the box and is extremely easy to operate, even for a beginner. The setup was straightforward, and it binds documents neatly and securely. If you’re looking for a reliable, user-friendly binder, this is a great choice. Highly recommend!

I chose this binding machine because I need to be able to bind 350 page books and files and the price was great. I was a bit leery as many of the reviews mentioned difficulty binding so many pages. Having used an office binding machine before and learning a few tricks for binding large numbers of pages, I decided to go ahead and order it. I am very happy that I did. The machine functions perfectly if you know how to use it properly.For those people attempting to bind 300 pages there are a few tricks to know:Once you have your binder comb loaded on the machine and the stretcher arm has the comb opened... load 20 pages at a time onto the comb ends. Punching all of the pages and trying to load them all at once won't work.As the comb ends fill up... slowly release the stretcher arm a little bit at a time to expose more of the comb ends (pull the comb through the pages a bit to expose more as you allow the comb stretcher to retract. Then load more pages... continue doing this as you go and it's easy.All in all this is a great machine. The price is amazingly low, and the workmanship is solid.

Great machine. Had it for 2 years. works great. I used it to make a lot of books for summer activities.

With Staples charging us around $38 PER REPORT I just figured I'd have to start doing it myself. I love this little machine.I had no issues with doing around 20 sheets and didn't really count as I did them. I did less sheets at a time with the clear covers, a but more with my heavy card stock backers, but all n all you'll get used to how many to punch at a time and it goes quickly regardless.As for the comb part , that's a little tricky. You can drop in the comb but it seems you almost have to use something to poke them more forward to ensure all the loops in the comb get caught and pulled out. I use a letter opener to do that. It's really NO BIG DEAL to do that and no way an issue with the machine. I just found it easier and faster to just push the comb a little forward so it could be grabbed better.Sliding the punched pages with clear front and backers takes a little practice of opening the comb a lot, then close a little, then a little more as you slide all the pages at once on the comb spikes... but again, it's fast, it's easy and you'll get the hang of it.Oh another note, I thought a full arm pull on the machine would be better than just a single pull arm on the right side like this machine and I'm wrong. It truly doesn't matter at all.Great machine and I highly recommend it!

I used one other teachers and then loved it. I purchased one for myself and it works great! I use it monthly. It is bulky but not heavy.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:I needed a binding machine. I had previously purchased one from a different brand and had been severely disappointed. I still needed a binding machine so I purchased this one. This one was significantly easier to use and is rugged. I would definitely recommend this item.