Choosing a wire-o binding machine can be more difficult than you might think. There are literally dozens of different machines available on the market all with different features and benefits. Sorting through the different options and choosing the right model for your needs can be difficult. This article is designed to help you understand the four most important features to consider when choosing your twin loop wire binding machine. Here they are... Pitch: The most important thing to consider when choosing a twin loop wire binding machine is pitch. Machines can be purchased with either a 3:1 pitch (3 holes per inch) or a 2:1 pitch punch. A 3:1 pitch machine is designed for binding smaller books that range from 3/16" up to 9/16" in thickness. A 2:1 pitch machine is designed for binding larger books that range from 5/8" up to 1-1/4" in thickness. 

If your organization primarily binds small size documents then you will probably want to choose a 3:1 machine. However, if your company binds mostly larger proposals and presentations you might want to consider a 2:1 machine. If you choose a 3:1 pitch wire binding machine you will not ever be able to bind larger documents. However, with a 2:1 pitch wire binding machine you can buy special 2:1 pitch small size wire for smaller documents. As an alternative there are a couple of machines available on the market that allow you to do both 2:1 and 3:1 pitch punching. These are great options for organizations that want the flexibility to bind both large and small reports.

 Wire Closer: One of the most important parts on a your machine is the wire closer. The closer takes the "C" shaped wire-o spine and Extension Cord closes it into a round shape. If the wire closer is not strong and accurate the wire will not close evenly across the length of your document. Less expensive machines use plastic components in their closers that can allow them to slip over time. When choosing a machine it is always a good idea to choose one with all metal construction to ensure that it will hold up over time. Disengageable Dies: Another important feature to look for when choosing a wirebind machine is whether the model includes disengageable dies. Machines with disengageable dies allow you to choose whether an individual punching pin will punch when you pull the handle of your machine. 

The ability to stop one pin from punching is important because it will allow you to bind documents that are shorter or longer than 11" without having a partial hole hanging off the edge of your document. If you are going to want to bind documents that are landscape, half letter size or A4 size you will need a machine with disengageable dies. Document Hanger: Almost all models will have some sort of wire hanger incorporated into them. However, the design and placement of the wire hanger can make a huge difference. The wire hanger is designed to hold the spine while you hang the pages of your document. Some machines have a wire hanger with small hooks on the front of the machine while others use a clamp like wire hanger. The machines with the hooks tend to be easier to use and will save time over the clamp style. If you look for a wire binding machine with these four important features you will be well on your way to finding a wire binding machine that will meet your needs. Look for these things in addition to the punching capacity, warranty, punching length and construction of the wire binding machine to choose the best possible machine for the best possible price.