GBC CombBind C55 Review

GBC is one of the leading manufacturers of plastic comb binding machines. They make both entry-level and advanced machines with units available in every imaginable price bracket. One of their least expensive units is the CombBind C55. The C55 is a comb binding machine that's great for binding newbies, but it unfortunately doesn't have much to offer the more experienced user. This review will look at the C55's strengths, as well as its limitations.

The CombBind C55 is one of the most basic binding machines available. It has a five-sheet punching capacity and it can open combs up to half an inch thick. Its binding capacity is pretty low: it can only bind documents that are 90 pages long. The C55 is compatible with both standard plastic combs and GBC ZipBind spines, so you do have a couple of different binding options. You can even use it along with the new Komtrak Inspiral spiral combs.

The C55 is lightweight and portable and it has a carrying handle so you can take it on the road with you. It's very small, so it could fit on a desk or even on a bookshelf. It's also very easy to use. You can open binding combs simply by turning a knob, and it's a breeze to bind documents because all you need to do is push down on the binding lever. There's also an alignment guide that can help you line up your document properly before punching or binding, so you can avoid making time-consuming mistakes.

Now on to the C55's limitations. First, the machine is made of plastic. While this type of construction makes this binding machine portable and inexpensive, it also means the machine isn't very durable. Even the comb opening teeth are made of plastic so it's very likely they'll break at some point. Although the C55 can theoretically punch up to five sheets at once, you'd be better off punching less than that to save wear and tear on the teeth. The binding capacity is also a drawback. It may be okay if you're only binding smaller booklets on an infrequent basis, but this unit would be a poor choice for anyone who binds larger documents more than a few times per week. Finally, the chip tray isn't very large, so you'll need to dispose of your chips pretty often. That could get pretty annoying, especially since not emptying the tray regularly could make the machine harder to use and even damage it.

The CombBind C55 is an average plastic comb binding machine that should be okay for users who need a very simple unit and won't be binding very often. It's nice that this machine is portable and inexpensive, but you know what they say: you get what you pay for. This is definitely not a machine for high-volume users nor is it ideal for people who tend to be rough with their machines. The C55 simply won't be able to withstand such use. Nonetheless, if you need a cheap, basic comb binding machine for occasional use - and the plastic construction doesn't bother you - the C55 is a good choice.