Rhin-O-Tuff® ONYX HD7700 Ultima Heavy Duty Electric Binding Punch (Includes 1 Free Die)

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Expert Product Review: HD7700 Ultima  by Mallory Morsa
           
Hi everyone! My name is Mallory Morsa, and I am the product expert at Binding101. I have been a part of the Binding101 team since 2008, where I started out in service and sales, learning our customers' needs and how to offer truly exceptional service. After a of couple years, I moved into a role of product management that required in-depth product research, as well as training of our staff. And in my honest expert reviews, I am proud to share that extensive knowledge with you. Take a look at the product review below, which will highlight both the pros and the cons, as well as identify the ideal customer. If you have any questions or need more information, please call our customer care team at (866)537-2244. Thank you for stopping by, and please check out our Binding101 social media channels by clicking the icons above.

I RECOMMEND THIS FOR: 
The HD7700 is a premium binding punch that fits is perfectly with large print and copy shops that need the versatility to produce all kinds of bound books (such as wire-o, spiral binding coil, plastic comb, and so much more) but are not so large that they need a fully automated binding machine. It is capable or handling jobs of all sizes, and can be used for the entire work-day, without much rest. This also makes it a popular choice for large offices that make client presentations frequently and in large quantities.
 

WHAT I LIKE:
The durability of the HD7700 is a huge plus in my book. By just touching the machine you can tell that it is made of high-quality parts and components; it is made in the USA! When I was testing this machine, I noticed that, although very powerful, the punching noise is surprisingly quiet as compared with the old version of the machine (watch a comparison video here) and seemed very smooth (meaning it doesn't sound like it struggles to punch through even thick stacks). The punched holes were also very precise and clean.
 

Versatility is also a huge perk of the HD7700. There are a large selection of punching dies available that can be easily changed out between jobs without any tools or mechanical background; all it takes is the pull of a handle to change out the dies and switch the functionality of the machine. This ability to morph is why I like to call these Rhin-O-Tuff® ONYX machines "binding chameleons"…because they can be changed and adjusted to meet the needs of a variety of industries. Because the dies are sold individually, you also only have to buy what you will use, and can expand upon that in the future if your needs change and your business grows. For example, you can select 2:1 wire for your free die (oh yeah, a free die is included when you buy the machine!), and then buy a 3:1 wire die, or a spiral coil die, or even a 3-hole punch die for ring binders in the future.
 

In addition, the ONYX HD7700 has a very high sheet capacity, rated to handle as many as 55 sheets of paper at a time. Yeah, this is for standard copy paper so it will be less for covers and for thicker stocks, but this capacity is unheard of in other table top units, which normally punch around 25 or so. Other quality heavy duty punches, like HD7000 (for medium workloads) will even only punch through 40 sheets…so the ONYX HD7700 does 37.5% more sheets with one pass. It is truly a powerful tabletop binding punch.
 

Of course, I also love the look on the newer ONYX line of punches, which are all a sleek black metal and look very modern and high-quality, especially when compared to other machines that are a tan or gray color. The look is just "the look", and plays no part in the functionality... but for me, if you have any customers that might see the machine, it looks impressive like it can produce better books than the older ones.
 

The HD7700 also requires very little maintenance to keep it running smoothly and producing professional-quality documents. First, be sure to empty the waste tray often; this simple step prevents back-ups and jams and potential damage to the machine, and should be done as frequently as your workload requires. From time to time you can also punch a sheet of steel wool a few times through, which will remove any paper dust from the pins and help keep the pins sharp, both of which are needed to produce those clean-cut holes. If your pins need replacing, it doesn’t mean you have to buy a whole new die; you can simply order a replacement pin set. The ability to replace these small wearable parts will save your business money in the long run.
 

THINGS TO CONSIDER:
As is true for all of the Rhin-O-Tuff® punching machines, the ONYX HD7700 is a punch-only machine, and will not actually bind your books. To bind, you will need to purchase a binding module that will correspond with the type of book you are making. If you are using plastic comb, consider the HD4470 comb spreader. If you are using spiral binding coils, consider the HD4170 electric coil inserting module. Or if you are working with Wire-O, you can use the HD8000 wire closer. These are the Rhin-O-Tuff® modules, but you can really use any modules of your choice. The benefit of these, of course, is that they are built for the same heavy volume as the punch machine (again, made in the USA). They can also be mounted directly onto the machine for a streamlined look, or can be used separately as well, depending on user preference.
 

THE BOTTOM LINE: 
The ONYX HD7700 is a high-quality binding punch that offers great value, awesome strength, and professional-quality punches, every time. There is no other machine in it’s class that can compare. It is sleek, creates clean punches through thick stacks of paper, is versatile, and offers an ease-of-use that means no special training is required; so everyone in your office or shop can use it when needed. For any larger print and copy shop, or for any large office, this machine is a perfect fit.