Office Equipment Blog from Office Zone

Question

We are interested in purchasing a new folder/inserter. We currently have an older model and I’m looking for something comparable but have been unable to find any information on our model online. I was looking at Formax Formax FD 6100 Folder Inserter and wondered if it was close to what we already own.

Dawn F.

Answer

Unfortunately, we are not at all familiar with the particular machine you provided. We did a little research online and found a few pictures of your model, but it appears to be a completely different design than the Formax FD 6100 Folder Inserter.

We’re unsure of how that particular machine compares with the Formax model. However, we can confidently assure you that the FD 6100 is a quality, well-built entry-level machine. This budget-friendly machine makes it possible for most small organizations or businesses realize the advantages of an automated paper folder/inserter.

With a folder inserter, your staff will no longer waste time and money by manually folding and stuffing office mailings. You can automate all of your mailings with the Formax FD 6100 paper folder/inserter and maximize your efficiency.

The FD 6100 features an easy-to-read control panel that guides the user through the setup and operation of the machine. It allows you to program up to nine folds for the most frequent folding/inserting tasks, saving you time and hassle. Sample envelopes must be sent in for testing on all Formax models to ensure you’re getting the right machine for the job.

Question

I am looking at the GuilloMax – Plus paper cutter and would like to know if the stand and/or any replacement blades are included with purchase? I also need warranty information.

Thank you.

Gary S.

Answer

Yes, the stand is included with the GuilloMax – Plus. This is a nice feature since most cutters in its class do not come standard with a stand. The GuilloMax – Plus has a high-strength, long-lasting steel blade that will endure several years of heavy use (it does not include a replacement blade). The blade may be easily removed for sharpening and should last for several years.

The GuilloMax – Plus comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. This guillotine cutter can slice up to 800 sheets of paper at a time with the single pass of its strong blade. It also features a laser paper cutting guide for added precision.

Its wheel-driven paper holding clamp (very similar to a submarine hatch) keeps a stack of paper firmly in place, eliminating cutting errors. This is not only a precise cutter, but it is also very safe to use. If you need a precise stack cutter with high-end features, the Tamerica Guillomax stack cutter is definitely your best solution.

Question

To Whom it may concern:

I need an electric saddle stapler that is self feeding used mostly for church brochures.

What do you suggest?

Steve K.

Answer

Are you referring to a booklet maker? If so, a booklet maker is a popular machine with most of our customers who work for a church. You can make church brochures with an electric saddle stapler, but a booklet maker is so much more convenient. You can create and staple booklets, brochures, programs, and other similar items quickly with booklet maker equipment.

These simple-to-use machines take a stack of paper, fold it and then staple it along the spine. This is the quickest way to make professional-looking pamphlets, newsletters, booklets, reports, and more. Most of our booklet maker models are automated or semi-automated and require little manual work. You will be able to create several hundred church brochures an hour with a booklet maker machine.

Question

Hi,

I’m looking at purchasing this heat sealer, but I can’t tell if it can be used with cellophane bags? We’d prefer to use cellophane bags so I’d like to make sure it will work with those before purchasing.

Thanks,

Angela

Answer

Are you 100% certain that the bag you want to seal is made of cellophane? If so, yes, the Traco TISH Bag Sealer will work just fine. However, we’re willing to wager that your cellophane bags are actually Coex extruded polypropylene bags. If this is the case, then the heat sealer will still work, but with some added effort and patience. You see, polypropylene material has a higher melting temperature than cellophane. It will require a significant more amount of time and heat to make the cut and then seal on your bag.

Although relatively new to Office Zone, the Traco TISH series portable sealers are a popular item with our customers. They are compact, fit just about anywhere and are simple to use. There is no warm-up or cool down time required whatsoever. This means you can plug in your sealer and use it almost immediately. The TISH series use a standard 110v power outlet. The adjustable timer makes it easy to seal bags and eliminates the need to tear away bags after the sealing process.

Question

We are trying to find a machine to help us in our recycling efforts, by looking at your website I think you may have the machine for me. We want to take 8 ½ x 11 ” paper and run it through so it can be slit into strips for packaging – probably some place around ½”  to 1″ wide.

I am hoping that you have a machine that can slit that thin – if not let me know what the thinnest your machines can do. We would be looking at a lease to own option on the machine to make sure that what we really want to do is feasible for us.

Thanks

Michael K.

Answer

You have a few different options that you may choose from. First of all, your choice depends quite a bit on how many sheets you need cut up per day. If you need to cut up large quantities, then there are industrial paper shredders able to create 1/2-inch wide strips:

• Intimus S16.50 High-Volume Paper Shredder

If a 1/2-inch wide cut isn’t critical, and 1/4-inch is fine, you could go with a narrower strip cut paper shredder:

• Kobra Model 390 Heavy-Duty Paper Shredder

Or, you could use a form cutter such as the Martin Yale 3800FC. This is the slowest processing option, but you could set the machine to slit paper in either 1/2-inch or one-inch widths.

• Martin Yale 3800FC Form Cutter/Slitter/Perforator

Question

Could you please recommend a laminator for business cards? At an upcoming trade show, we would like to offer folks to have their business cards laminated to be used as luggage tags.  We saw this done several years ago and were wondering what type of equipment and supplies are required.

Thank you … Dale …

Dale W.

Answer

You definitely need the Banner American PL4A Pouch Laminator. We have actually used it at several trade shows in years past for the very same thing you want to do. This little laminator has been around for decades and performs like a champ. If you plan to run the laminator all day during the trade show, you want a pouch laminator that’s as reliable as the PL4A.

This model’s independent heat and motor control system allows it to be left on stand-by (heat ready) for hours at a time without degrading the motor. You can also instantly re-start the laminating process at any time. The PL4A is equipped with metal gears and a powerful motor that help the laminator run for several years. Its four-roller lamination system delivers a professional-looking, clear finish.

The PL4A is rated by Office Zone as a high-volume, high-quality pouch laminator. Its maximum laminating width is 3-3/4 inches — ample room to fit a business card. The maximum pouch thickness you can use with this machine is 10 mil. In fact, we recommend you use 10 mil pouches when making the free luggage tags.

Office Zone also carries the other supplies and accessories you need to create business card luggage tags. We have a wide assortment of luggage straps, pouch lamination film, and slot punches.

Question

We are looking for a document folder that can fold up to 8.5 x 14 paper, up to 20 lb/24 lb; must be able to do C-fold. Can you make some suggestions? On a very tight budget; therefore, looking for an inexpensive, manual model.

L. Anderson

Answer

The Dynafold DE-102AF paper folder is probably your best option. First of all, the DE-102AF will fold paper up to 8-1/2″ by 14″ in size. It can process a respectable variety of paper weights from 16 lb. bond up to 24 lb. bond. It can also perform a Letter, or “C” fold.

The Dynafold DE-102AF uses friction wheels to pull paper into rubber rollers that fold the paper into a variety of folds. The manually adjustable folding plates of the Dynafold DE-102AF let you create a variety of custom folds. In addition to the C fold, the machine will execute these other common paper folds:

• Single (Half, V) fold
• Z (Accordion) fold
• Double Parallel fold
• Gate fold
• Half Accordion (Fold-out, Engineering) fold

The DE-102AF is capable of self-adjusting to different paper thickness. It can hold up to 500 sheets of paper at a time and folds 6,000 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheets per hour. This paper folding machine is rated as a medium-volume model.

Question

I am interesting in sourcing out a new heat tunnel. The one we currently own doesn’t perform satisfactorily. We primarily use the heat tunnel to shrink wrap our lids to the jars. We use a 6 oz. jar and the lid diameter is approx. 3.5 inches. The problem with our current tunnel is when the jars are fed through the shrink wrap tends to move up and results in the seal “squishing” up towards the top.

If you have any product that can perform this job without the shrink wrap moving up it would be appreciated. I was looking at model numbers:

• AIE-S3515

• AIE-S1608

• AIE-S1612

Please get back to me with any information you might have.

Raymond D.

Answer

We did a little research into your problem and believe that your squished film issue may have something to do with one of the following:

• The unusual shape of the jar

• The smooth surface of the bottle

• Possibility of using the incorrect film

• Possibility of using the incorrect heat tunnel temperature

• Are you using shrink wrap sleeves or a centerfold roll of shrink film?

If your jar has a bottle neck, it may be causing the film to ride up to the narrowest point. If the film is shrinking at an inconsistent rate, it could give the film time to climb up the jar. It could also have to do with using the wrong type of film, or using old film. We recommend that you send us a sample jar so we can test it and offer further suggestions.

Question

I am interested in purchasing the table top shrinkwrap model SS-40DS 40-inch machine. I was just wondering if it comes with the roll of wrap or do I purchase it separately? And how much for the roll if I have to buy it separately, and what size for that model. Thank you kindly.

Joel S.

Answer

Yes, the SS-40DS 40-inch Super Sealer Shrink Wrap Machine (Deluxe Model) includes a starter roll of shrink wrap film. In fact, all Deluxe models come with one free roll of shrink film (width 36 inches). Most of our customers use the Deluxe Super-Sealer SS-40DS to wrap protective film around all sorts of items including gift baskets, fruit baskets, candy boxes, software boxes, CDs, DVDs, and other products. You can see our wide selection of shrink wrap supplies and film here.

The Deluxe super sealer series of shrink wrapping machines are easy use … just slide the item you want to shrink wrap into the film and pull down the sealing arm. You next use the included heat gun to shrink and form-fit the film around the product. This creates a smooth, clean, professional-looking package. This is by far the most popular shrink wrapping method available on the market today.

Question

I teach high school business classes and am interested in buying a padding press and the other items necessary to get started.  We would make note pads and would also like to be able to do 8 1/2 x 11 sheets.  Could you please give me ideas about which press would be most appropriate for these uses?  Thanks.

Johnnie B.

Answer

Padding presses, or paper padders, are a quick and inexpensive tool to help create your notepads. Individual sheets of paper, used or recycled, may be placed in a padding press and glued together. Padding presses are commonly used in schools, government offices, businesses and may be used with a variety of paper sizes and thicknesses. Some higher-end padding press models are capable of handling up to 10,000 sheets of paper at once!

Most padding presses can easily be used on top of a desk or countertop. Paper padders have been around for several years and are an effective way to recycle old paper.

We recommend the Mini 2 Padding Press for your school. This is a competitively priced model, especially kind to modest school budgets. The Mini 2 takes a stack of paper and holds it in place while you apply padding glue to the spine of a stack of paper. Once the glue is dry, a process that typically takes about 10 minutes, the clamping mechanism on the padder is then released and the note pads may be removed. New stacks of paper can then be inserted and padded.

Office Zone also carries all of the padding press accessories you need to do a professional padding job. You can see all of our padding supplies, including glue, here.