Best 2 Cinch Binding Machines To Create Your DIY Books & Projects

Are you looking for a good cinch binding machine?

It is important to say that there aren’t many models on the market. For this review, we find just two models. Read what they are intended for and which features every cinch machine should have.

Our Top Picks

The Specialty Of The Cinch Binding Machine

This machine is a great tool to have for creating books and other projects. However, with its features, it differs from other binding machines. It features a lever for manual hole punching. To punch holes in the paper, there are 12 punch pins. They are also possible to disengage by pulling out when punching holes in smaller or bigger documents. The cinch machines are available from one brand, We R Memory Keepers and they have a few different models on offer.

What Does Cinching Mean?

When using the term “cinching” with this machine, it means you are pressing the wire to close it. This way, you are binding the pages and the covers together with the help of the wire. This is done with the help of a lever or a handle, depending on the cinch model.

Punch Square Or Round Holes

Some of the cinch models are manufactured to punch round holes and some to punch square holes. If you want to bind your projects with both wires and spiral coils, we suggest a model that makes round holes. If you are only going to bind with wires, you can even go for a model that makes square holes. Usually, the cinch can punch through up to 20 sheets of lightweight paper at once.

Manual Book Binding With The Cinch

This type of bookbinding machine works manually, which makes it different from electric machines for binding. This means it has punching pins that work with the help of a lever to punch holes in the spinal side of the documents. After that, it is ready for binding with the help of wires on the machine where you have a manual inserter for wires.

Can The Cinch Work With Coils?

After you punch the holes, you can also insert and twist a coil through the holes instead of the wires. Thus, with the cinch, you can get both a wire-bound and a coil-bound document. However, to insert the coil, you will have to work with your hands completely and then have a plier to crimp and cut off the ends.

What Pitch Is the Cinch Machine For Binding?

The Cinch has a 2:1 pitch pattern, creating two holes per inch of a document. Thus, you will need 2:1 pitch wires to put inside the holes to bind your project.

The Advantages Of Cinch Machines For Binding

The cinch is great if you want to create different DIY projects. For example, you can create books, notebooks, scrapbooks, journals, gifts, school projects, etc. You can even create calendars and photo albums. It is a great tool for being creative and for use at home or for other casual uses, such as using it in school for different imaginative school projects.

Best 2 Cinch Binding Machines

We R Memory Keepers Machine

Easy To Use
The brand We R Memory Keepers produces this compact Version 2 device for book binding. This machine has 12 x 9.5 x 4.75 inches. It weighs 7 pounds only. You can bind your books or notebooks quickly and easily. This tool is good for schools, home and recreational use, like calendars and holiday gifts.

Ergonomic Handle
The manufacturer claim that this machine is good for the heavy-duty project and small projects. The handle is soft and ergonomic and it’s able to punch up to 20 sheets of paper. But use only lightweight paper. You can use it for continuous operation.

Alignment Pegs
The We R Memory Keepers cinch binder has the ability to work with any standard book binding materials. You can separately buy wire coils, chipboard, cardstock and other things from the same brand. Version 2 allows you to bind a book of any size with alignment pegs and customizable hole-punch knobs.

Improved Platform
The hole pitch is 2:1, which means the machine makes 2 holes per inch. The cinch platform features filled-in columns which ensure more circular wires for this wire binding machine. The inner gear is improved and it ensures fully retractable punching every time. The springs are strong and provide easy punching.

Buy On Amazon

Heidi Swapp Binding Machine

Lightweight Item
The Heidi Swapp is a small binding machine, it features 12 x 4.8 x 9.5 inches. It’s lightweight, so you can easily move the device wherever you need it. It fits on every desk. The Heidi Swapp doesn’t come with binding wire, you need to buy it separately.

Customizable Knobs
This binding machine punches up to 20 sheets of paper at once. It features a small waste bin that collects the paper waste during the punching process. You can bind books or school projects of any size with alignment pegs and an adjustable hole-punch knob.

Three Steps
This binding machine is a great device for creating mini albums, scrapbooks, school projects and more. The binding wire size should be from 0.325 to 1.25 inches. It is easy to use it, there are three simple steps: first, punch the holes, then thread sheets and finally cinch the wire.

Buy On Amazon

How Do You Bind With A Cinch?

If you want to use the cinch to bind a book, here is how you can do it by following these simple steps:

1. Release the lever by unclasping it from the side of the unit.
2. Use a test paper to punch holes in. Make sure the test paper is the same size as the paper of your project.
3. Put the paper of your project inside the punch. Press the lever to punch holes in the spinal edge of the paper. Make sure not to exceed the maximum punching capacity at a time.
4. Also, do not forget to disengage the punching pins that are at the end of your paper so you do not get half-punched holes at the end of your document.
5. Punch the holes in the covers separately.
6. Put the wire on the side of the unit where the are for inserting wire is. Put your wire there and put the papers through. Make sure the covers are put on last. First, out on papers, then the front cover, and then the back cover to face the front cover.
7. Then, put the paper with the wire into the cinching area.
8. Close the wire by cinching (engaging the lever).
9. Your project should be ready.

Here is a video tutorial as well:

How Do You Use A Mini Cinch?

A mini cinch model features a handle that you use for cinching. Also, with the same handle, you will be able to punch holes in the spinal edge of the paper. Likewise, on the side of the unit, there is a bit where you insert the wire and then put the pages and the covers through the holes. After that, you can do the final step, aka cinching and you will have a finished bound book ready.