GBC Cerlox Engargoladora. Bindmate. 125 Hojas. P5009

Simple to use ( thank God, the instructions suck!), but light weight. Reflects the cost. Used thicker paper for a calendar and could only punch two sheets of heavy paper, when you tried four the plastic handle started twisting. It's light weight so treat it as such and you will enjoy making some wonderful projects.

I have had the GBC CombBind C20 model since 2010, and have used it extensively overseas and in the USA. I would have given it a 3.5 out of 5 stars if that were an option. I gave it 4 stars because my main complaint has to do with A4 size paper and most people will not use if for that.The PROS of the GBC C20 model are:1) It has staggered cutting teeth. As you pull the main handle, the teeth engage the paper at different points in the pull stroke, making it much easier to cut though the paper. This is a big help if you are doing a lot of binding.2) It seems fairly well built and is not too heavy.3) It will fit inside a 24-gallon Action Packer, if you need to travel with it. Put a pillow on the top and bottom, or use clothing if you are comfortable with that.4) I don't think this is a pro of the machine, but the C20 model has received undue criticism for punching unevenly. There are probably ways that GBC could have improved this, but it isn't that bad. I would say that this is mostly user error. You have to slide the paper back and forth a bit in the slot before punching to ensure that the paper edges are fully seated before punching. If you do not, then you will get uneven punches from bits of the punched paper that haven't yet fallen from prior punches. This can be resolved by learning how to use the machine.The CONS of the C20 model are:1) The stickers on the unit are really nice, but they come off very easily. I have tried again and again to glue them down, but they often come up at the edges.2) The unit is difficult to clean. I like the removable plastic tray underneath, but the little paper punches go all over the inside of the machine, and I can't find any easy way to get them out. I haven't taken the machine apart, but I suspect that would work. Anyone have any ideas?3) A4 size paper cutting is cripled on the US machine. I have done a lot of A4 binding with the C20 model while living outside the USA. A4 size paper has 21 holes and the A4 combs have a corresponding 21 "teeth" to fit. US letter size paper has 19 holes and 19-teeth combs to fit. The C20 has one serious deficiency for binding A4 size paper. The built-in "edge guide" adjust to perfectly fit A4 size paper. The "comb-opener" on the top of the unit has 21 "fingers" to open full size 21-tooth A4-size combs. However, the main punch that cuts the holes in the paper will only punch 19 holes no matter what. This is almost criminal on the part of GBC. They advertise A4 size capability, include A4 size settings and enough fingers to pull open a 21-tooth A4 size comb, but the product as sold to me in the USA will only cut 19 slots. I called GBC to confirm this and they stated that it will only cut 19 slots, though the rep seemed surprised when I mentioned that the unit is made in Portugal (a country that uses A4 size paper). Under good light, you can even see the extra holes on the far right and left of the cutter that would be available for cutting 21 slots, but they simply did not build the USA units with 21 teeth for cutting A4 size paper. The work around is to use US-sized 19-tooth combs when binding A4 size paper, or to manually cut the ends off of an A4-size comb if you buy the combs while living overseas. It doesn't look great, but it works.

It hasn't met my expectations. It works well for small jobs, but I bind large volumes for which it is not suited.

I thought the unit would be a little more substantial, it does work but a little worried as to it's longevity?

I use it to bind calendars made with a thick matte 61 pound 11 mil paper it worked perfect using 3 pages at a time. I would recommend this product. Saved the cost of having it bound at the store.