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I'm considering buying a binding machine. What are the pros and cons on each of these? Any favorites? Which one will punch the toughest stuff? Any preferences on round or rectangle holes? Thanks.
You could google both in and watch some videos on both, I have both and I like the Cinch much better, easier to use. Would you like to buy my very little used blue Bind-It-All??? LOL!
I have both and like the Cinch much better --the Cinch punches 6 inches of holes at once, where the BIA punches only 3 inches at a time, and the Cinch has disengageable dies so you can choose exactly which holes to punch if you want an interesting hole pattern. PLUS -- the Cinch holes are the perfect size for inserting 1/4" eyelets, which can really dress up a book.
Does the Cinch take coil binding, like a spiral notebook? I just sold my BIA and am looking for a replacement. TIA!
Jen, the Cinch uses the same double-loop metal binding wires the BIA uses. Both machines punch 2 holes per inch, so you will want to make sure that the wires you order have a 2:1 pitch. WRMK also came out with plastic spirals that work with the Cinch, but they are quite expensive (more than $1 per coil) and you can't get them in bulk to save money. It's more economical to buy binding wires is in boxes of 50.
Thanks for the info, Bonnie! I am still thinking the Cinch might be the way to go. And I LOVE the book you made, I never would have thought to use eyelets like that. What a totally cool look!
I own the BIA v.2 (pink) but I'm waiting for a deal to get the Cinch v2 (blue) as well. I used the BIA on a Father's Day card and, even though it did a good job, I had a hard time trying to make the holes go all the way to the end of the both sides of my mini book, so I ended up just centering it (I did not have the time to read the instructions that much though). I believe the main difference between the two are: BIA is best for small projects and has square holes; while the Cinch is best for larger projects (easier to use) and has round holes. You can also watch video demostrations on the web for a more accurate comparison. Hope that helps!
I actually did watch the BIA videos before I purchased. They make it look much easier to use than it is. I find the Cinch is easy no matter what size your books.
I was going to get the BIA and then saw the The Cinch when it came out and got that. I'm so glad I waited. I love it. I think it is more versatile then the BIA and much easier to use. The Rubicoil looks like a good option too, but don't know anything about it.
Has anyone tried any binding machines that use comb binding? I bought a bunch of binding combs on sale and right now when I make a book or callender I stach up my cardstock/chipboard and clamp them together with binder clips and mark out where I want my holes to go (using the binding comb as a guide) and punh throught all my sheets with my Crop a dile. I have to punch 2 1/4 holes next to each other to make room for the comb tho but it works...I bet you could use that ina pinch for the coil binding too. I'd like to find an inexpencive machine that used the plastic combs bacuse they are so cheap and easy to find. Anyone have a reccomendation?
Has anyone tried any binding machines that use comb binding? I bought a bunch of binding combs on sale and right now when I make a book or callender I stach up my cardstock/chipboard and clamp them together with binder clips and mark out where I want my holes to go (using the binding comb as a guide) and punh throught all my sheets with my Crop a dile. I have to punch 2 1/4 holes next to each other to make room for the comb tho but it works...I bet you could use that ina pinch for the coil binding too. I'd like to find an inexpencive machine that used the plastic combs bacuse they are so cheap and easy to find. Anyone have a reccomendation?
BTW here is a callender I bound with my CAD:
I was used to using comb binding machines a work (education) and wanted a small one of my own. The problem is, the small personal-size ones will only do 1/4-1/2 thick books. That's fine for calendars, but it you want to do a cookbook or fatter journal, it can't be done. Got rid of mine and got a BIA. It took awhile, but I can now manage a book of any size. I disregard all the info on cover and paper size and just do the centering procedure for both cover and pages regardless of whether they are the same size or not. I like the small size for storage. The Cinch looks interesting, though, and I'm off to research that now.
I'm back after researching the Cinch vs the Bind It All and I'm sticking with my Bind It All. The price of replacing it would not be worth it, plus the larger size would be a storage problem for me. I stamp mostly cards and use the BIA for a few projects throughout the year, so since I have it and a supply of binding rings, I think I am happily set.
I saw a blue one at Oh My Craft for $49.99 (not sure which version). HobbyLobby may still have v.1 (Pink) and you can use their 40% coupon. Not sure if Michaels or Joann have them too as they also offer 40%-50% discounts.
I bought a BIA soon after they came out and liked it, but when I found out the Cinch was made by WRMK I knew it would be even better. So of course...I had to get one. I make a lot of chipboard books for Project Grad every year and got it just in time for that. The Cinch punches so much more easily (just like a Cropadile) and I really like the way you can disable some punches to reconfigure the holes. As much as I use mine, it was definitely worth the investment and the shelf space.
oh my crafts has the cinch for 49.99 and i think free ship on orders over 50, so u could add some wires and push it up enough to get free ship which will save u about 10-15 $!
Can you use a 40% off coupon on it at Hobby Lobby? I own one, but that might make it cheaper for some people.
I did not see any restrictions in this week's 40% coupon for WRMK products. However, I do not see the cinch in their online store anymore, I need to call them and ask if they are bringing the v.2. If they are available at your local store I believe they will apply the discount (I used one for the BIA), they have such a wonderful customer service. I love it!
After my research, I thought I was going to eventually get a BIA mainly because I do prefer the look of the rectangular punches as opposed to the circular ones. But of course, when I read the opinions of those way more experienced than I am, I start to waver!
For those of you who like the Cinch, do you have to do that bending down thing to see if the wires smoosh the right way? When I watched videos and read blogs, that's one thing that I thought was bad about the Cinch. Thanks in advance!
do you have to do that bending down thing to see if the wires smoosh the right way?
I have better luck getting them to bend right with the Cinch than I did with the BIA, but it's still not perfect every time. But I have the original Cinch and when I looked up the v.2 yesterday I saw that it is supposed to work better. I think it said there is a curved back on the...smoosher. It seems like that would help. Another change they made was to make it work with smaller wires. The original only goes down to 3/4". There is an (inexpensive) adapter bar available to use with the original if you want to use smaller wires. Maybe they'll come up with a curved piece that will slide in behind and make the wires bend better on the original too!
I have a comb binding machine also. My main problem is it's not flexible - 8.5" or larger length. When you cut the holes, if you want it smaller, the holes will punch off the page making it not so attractive.