*The HD7700 offers the ability to quickly change punching patterns by simply sliding out one die and sliding in the new one.
*This machine is known for its rugged industrial construction and is designed for high volume production environments where productivity is essential. In fact, it offers the largest punching capacity of any modular binding punch.
*On top of all of that, the HD7700 offers a number of features that are simply not offered on many other modular binding systems.
Strengths / Features:
*One of the big strengths of the HD7700 is the huge punching capacity that it offers. Although Rhin-O-Tuff doesn't publish exact punching capacities for all of the different hole-patterns, they state that it can punch an average of 45 sheets of paper across all punching patterns. Depending on the hole pattern that you are using this number will vary quite a bit. Some hole patterns such as Velobind and 3-hole will be able to handle as many as 55 sheets of paper. However, coil binding which has a large number of holes that are close together will probably only be able to handle 40 sheets. Even so, these punching capacities are impressive.
*Most organizations that buy a machine like this are looking for the ability to change punching patterns quickly and easily. The Rhin-O-Tuff HD7700 uses a patented die lock system to hold the dies in place. All you need to do in order to change punching patterns is to release the two die lock levers and slide the die out of the machine. You can then slide the new dieset into the machine and lock it in place. Rhin-O-Tuff makes twelve standard dies and fourteen custom dies for this machine. This means that the HD7700 can produce almost any binding hole pattern that you would ever need.
*The punching throat on the Rhino HD-7700 is fourteen inches wide. Additionally, all of the punching dies are fourteen inches on this machine. This makes handling legal sized documents a lot easier. Many other modular binding punches on the market don't offer legal sized punching dies for many of the hole patterns used in their machines.
*The construction of this machine is highly durable. It includes a heavy duty metal case that is highly durable. It also uses high quality steel punching units and internal components that are designed to remain strong in even the highest volume punching environments. Rhin-O-Tuff and its parent company Performance Design Inc. back the construction of this unit up with a one year warranty on the parts for this machine. Similar modular binding punches from GBC only have a 90 day warranty.
*In addition to all of these strengths, the HD7700 also comes with a number of other great features including: a manual reverse backup to help clear potential paper jams, an extra large chip tray, an LED diagnostic display and the choice of three different punching activators.
*This version of the HD7700 has a vertical punching throat. Some users prefer this style of throat as it allows them to use gravity to help align their pages in the punch. This design also allows users to bolt or set their finishing equipment on the top of the punch. However, users who don't like a vertical binding punch can always consider the HD7700 Horizontal which offers all the same features as this machine but allows for horizontal punching.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
*Much of the hype around the HD7700 surrounds its ability to punch large amounts of paper at a time. However, just because a machine can punch more paper doesn't mean that you should use it to do that. In my tests with this machine, punching more than twenty to thirty sheets at a time greatly reduced the quality of the punching produced by the machine. Additionally, the pages began to weld together when I punched large stacks of paper. This made it difficult to turn the pages on my bound documents.
*There are several comparisons between the features of this machine and the features of the GBC Magnapunch. There is no question, this machine has more features. However, features are only part of the problem. I recently had a customer take both of these machines for a test drive running jobs on each machine with the two systems side by side. The customer ended up choosing the Magnapunch because it was easier to use and helped them to complete their jobs faster. In my tests, I found the same thing.
*One of the features that Rhin-O-Tuff brags about in their literature is the design of their die lock system. However, this is one of the things that I like least about this system. I found that even when I locked the die into place on this machine that there was a little bit of play in the punching mechanism. Additionally, the process for removing a punching pin is fairly tedious. This machine uses a steel retainer clip to hold the punching pins in place. This retainer clip needs to be moved out of the way in order to disengage a die. The GBC interchangeable die doesn't have these problems.
*The HD7700 is designed for industrial punching applications. However, it also has a look that is somewhat industrial. This machine fits in fine inside a production area or workshop. However, it can look a little bit out of place in an office environment.
Recommendation:
*There is no doubt that the Rhino Tuff HD7700 offers a great set of features. In fact, it has a number of features that other modular binding punches simply do not offer.
*It can punch more sheets, offers legal sized punching and has more die set options than any other binding punch on the market.
*However, just because a machine has a lot of great features doesn't mean that it is the best choice on the market.
*Some organizations will look at this machine and determine that it is best for their specific application.
*Other organizations will look at this machine and choose a machine that is easier to use but offers less features such as the GBC Magnapunch.
Overview:
The Rhino Tuff OD4012 is a interchangeable die modular binding punch that is designed for organizations that are looking for a heavy duty machine at a great value.
It offers the same great punching capacities and motor as the larger HD6500 and HD7000 but Rhin-O-Tuff was able to cut the cost of this machine by reducing the punching throat from fourteen to twelve inches. This is great for organizations that primarily punch letter sized and smaller documents.
This system offers the ability to switch punching dies using the Rhin-O-Tuff Ez change die system. In fact, users can choose from twelve different standard punching dies that are available for this system.
Plus, the OD4012 has the same great Rhino Tuff construction that has made this line of modular punching equipment famous.
Strengths / Features:
The OD4012 has the same punching motor as is used in the HD series 6500 and 7000 rhino punches. This heavy duty motor allows the OD4012 to punch as many as 25 sheets of twenty pound paper at a time depending on the punching pattern. Although this is not nearly as many sheets as the larger HD punches can handle the punching quality produced by this machine is fairly good even at the maximum punching capacity. That is something that is not true for the HD series of punches.
The construction of the OD4012 is excellent. Like all of the modular binding punches from Rhin-O-Tuff the body of the machine is made of metal. In fact, the whole machine is made of metal components. The heavy duty construction of this machine is designed so that it can remain in service for years without the need for maintenance. Rhino even offers a full one year warranty on both the machine and the dies for this machine.
The OD4012 is offered at an excellent price point. It has a retail price of about $2500 and can usually be found for around $2000 if you call and ask for a price quote. This makes the OD4012 very competitively priced in its space. In fact, it is one of the cheapest twelve inch modular binding punches that you will find.
Including both standard and custom dies there are more than twenty different punching patterns available for the OD4012. This means that this punch can produce virtually any hole pattern that you will need to bind your documents. This machine uses the same EZ change die system that is used on the HD6500. In order to change the die out you simply lift the lid on the compartment at the front of the machine, loosen the two bolts and slide the die out of the machine. In all it takes about two minutes to change punching patterns.
The OD4012 is designed to allow users to bolt their modular finishing equipment to the top of the machine. This means that you can conveniently place your wire closer, comb opener or coil inserter on the top of the machine. You can even bolt multiple units to the top of your machine to help save space. Or if you prefer you can simply set your finishing device on the top of the machine so that it can be moved to the side when you need it.
The fact that the OD-4012 has a shorter punching throat and is smaller also makes the punching dies for this machine less expensive. With this punch each die costs less making it more reasonable to try a new punching pattern or offer a new binding style to your customers.
Weaknesses / Limitations:
It is probably obvious by now but if you haven't already figured it out, this punch has an eleven inch punching throat. Actually the throat is slightly wider than eleven inches so that it can accommodate A4 sized paper. However, it will not punch a legal sized sheet of paper in a single step. It does have an open throat for punching longer documents. However, trying to punch legal paper in two steps with a machine like this can be pretty tough.
The dies on this machine can take a couple of minutes to change. This usually isn't a big issue for organizations that primarily use one punching pattern. However, printers and binderies that need to switch punching patterns a number of times per day will find that the process is a little bit tedious.
When I tested this punch I noticed that there was a little bit of movement in the die set during the punching process. I was able to reduce the amount of movement by tightening the two bolts that hold the die in place. However, even that did not completely remove the extraneous movement. This movement in the punching mechanism causes me to be somewhat concerned that this machine may not be completely accurate over time.
The die retainer clip that holds the punching pins in place is fairly tedious to use. This makes it difficult to remove a pin in order to set up the punch. In fact, the process of inserting and removing the die on this machine actually makes setting up this machine fairly difficult. If you pull the wrong punching pin for the size of paper that you are using, you will have to completely remove the die set pull the correct pin and then reinstall it. This can take quite some time and is far more difficult than the system used with the GBC binding punches.
Recommendation:
The OD4012 is ideal for users that need a more powerful punch than the OD4000 but don't want to spend the money for a legal sized punch such as the HD-6500.
This letter sized eleven inch punch is great for organizations that primarily punch letter sized or smaller documents and don't need to change punching patterns on a really regular basis.
This machine offers a strong and durable construction, the ability to punch a wide variety of punching patterns and a great price point.
However, it is not as easy to use or as versatile as some of the other binding punches on the market.
Both Jeff Mcritchie & Jeff McRitchie are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.