subject: A Review of the James Burn EC-14 Electric Wire Closer [print this page] A Review of the James Burn EC-14 Electric Wire Closer
There's a whole bunch of new binding equipment on the market this fall, including some terrific products from James Burn. One of the company's newest releases is the EC-14, an electric wire closer. This is a device that can be used alongside full-featured wire binding machines, modular punches, and so on. Here's a look at this device's advantages and disadvantages so you can determine if this is the right wire closer for your workplace.
Advantages:
The EC-14 is compatible with wire spines that range in thickness from 3/16" to 1-1/4". It can be used to bind documents that contain up to 250 pages, so it's great for both short and long books.
This machine can close wire spines that are up to 14" long. Since it can do this, you can easily bind letter- and legal-sized books that measure 8.5" x 11" and 8.5" x 14". A lot of wire closers can only handle letter-sized documents, so this make the EC-14 worth a look. Also, this machine's settings are easy to adjust no matter which size spine you're using.
The EC-14 features all-metal construction, so it's pretty heavy-duty. You'll be able to use this device on a regular basis without any problems.
If you're worried about safety, you'll be glad to know that this machine needs to be operated with two hands. This will prevent any injuries from occurring and you'll have more control over your workflow.
If you don't have a lot of room in your work area, the EC-14 would be a good choice. It's pretty compact and approximately measures 17" (width) x 14" (depth) x 8" (depth).
Disadvantages:
The EC-14 isn't the device to use if you want to bind documents that are longer than 14".
This device is a standalone unit. If you don't already have a punch or a binding machine that has a built-in punch, you will need to get one. Thus, it wouldn't necessarily be a good choice if you're just getting started with this document finishing method.
The EC-14 is only compatible with wire binding supplies. It can't handle plastic combs, color coils, and other binding elements.
This product has a disappointingly short warranty. It only lasts for 90 days. Luckily, this machine is durably constructed so the brief warranty shouldn't be too much of an issue.
As you can see, the James Burn EC-14 has a lot of advantages but there are some things you should consider before purchasing it. You're going to need something that can punch your paper, for one thing, since this machine only closes wires. (It also won't work with other binding supplies.) The binding length might not be appropriate for some documents. However, this machine is well-made, can even bind legal-sized documents, and it can be used to finish off both short and long books. It's also very safe to use and not too large. If you think the EC-14 is the wire closer is right for your needs, make sure you check it out soon.
