Test Drive: Fastback Model 15xs Document binding system

The Fastback Binding System from Powis Parker is a desktop thermal document-binding system that easily binds documents of various sizes, from three to 350 pages.

Binding new documents is simple and straightforward. Choose a front and back cover, place the document in the Fastback binder, and feed a spine-binding strip into the machine. The Fastback positions and heats the spine strip, fastening the covers to the pages with a strong thermoplastic glue. Rebinding a book is a little more complicated. First, the pages must be carefully separated from the old cover. Clear adhesive liners are then cut to size. The pages, sandwiched between the liners, and a spine-binding strip are inserted into the Fastback binder for sealing. Finally, a cover, either new or recycled, is manually secured to the rebound pages.

I found the Fastback binder to be simple to use, and it produced durable and attractively bound books. It was also easy to delete or add pages to a newly bound document. With the Fastback, popular books that were showing signs of wear and tear were quickly rebound and placed right back on our shelves, rather than being removed from circulation for months while awaiting new covers. And electronically formatted materials, such as user guides on CDs, were easily printed, bound, and ready for checkout. Printing titles on the spine or designing a custom cover required pricey optional accessories, however, such as $1,495 for a FoilFast cover printer and a $19.95 ink cartridge for each color you want to print. And even with the Fastback sitting on your worktable, there will be times when you'll have archival materials—such as historical documents—that you'll need to send to an expert for rebinding.

The Fastback Model 15xs that I reviewed is Powis Parker's premier model. List priced at $4,195, it binds materials up to 1 1/2 inches thick and handles pages as long as 14 7/8 inches. Other models bind fewer and shorter pages, and their prices start at $1,295. Fastback binders are sold only through independent dealers who will also provide supplies and assistance.

If you do a large quantity of binding or rebinding, a Fastback may be just what your library, school, or even your school district office is looking for.

David McQuin is media and technology specialist for Mankato (MN) Public Schools; dmcqui1@isd77.k12.mn.us; (507) 387-5671.