Customer reviews from fellowes.com
Fellowes - Lyra Patented 3-in1 Comb Binding Machine, 30 Sheet Capacity - White/Gray
Average customer rating
4.8
(36 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 36 reviews
5 Stars
28
4 Stars
8
3 Stars
0
2 Stars
0
1 Star
0
100%of customers recommend this product.
(
36 out of
36)
Customer Reviews for Fellowes - Lyra Patented 3-in1 Comb Binding Machine, 30 Sheet Capacity - White/Gray
Customer Rating
5
Multitasking Made Easy
on January 7, 2022
Posted by: grayduck612
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This modern-day binding center conveniently combines three functions into one machine: stapling, 3-hole punching, and binding. Create professional reports at nominal cost! The double action stapler is powerful. The paper punch was smooth. Binding is easy, once you get the hang of it. The small footprint of this machine made it a great choice for the home office. Another quality product from Fellowes.
Pros: ease of use, Quality Construction, Warranty
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting fellowes.com
Customer Rating
5
Great function
on December 3, 2021
Posted by: JustinD
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Each function works great. It's nice to be able to to get multi functions out of just one machine. Theres times when I needed each type of binding and to not have to go searching for different items is nice. I dont know if the durability will be as good as an older mostly metal one I've used to bind with, but the older one only had the one function and this one feels really durable as well. The only thing I would change is that the handle. Being the item that will get the most touches I'd like to see it be more sturdy and maybe have a lock so it wouldnt be able to move while moving the whole machine.
Pros: Alignment Guide, ease of use, Quality Construction, Speed
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from fellowes.comBy CM, CS, December 3, 2021
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and observations, JustinD!
Written by a customer while visiting fellowes.com
Customer Rating
5
Game Changer
on November 30, 2021
Posted by: MimiG
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I received this product free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. This machine has blown me away. It's a good size, high quality, and works perfectly. Extremely easy to use. It has a large punch capacity and quickly and easily binds. Our reports look great, and I'm very happy with this binding machine. The hole punch is effective and can handle a large amount of paper at once. The stapler is also sturdy and capable of handling a large amount of paper at once, making the job easier. The binding is fantastic, and I loved how simple it is while still doing a fantastic job. This product far surpassed my expectations. This product is critical for your business, especially if you want to show your customers the various products you have to sell by providing a catalog or if you want to keep all of your paper transactions safe and accessible.
Pros: Alignment Guide, Binding Capacity, Document / Comb Measurement Guide, ease of use, Punch Capacity, Quality Construction, Safety Features, Speed, Warranty
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from fellowes.comBy CM, CS, December 1, 2021
Thank you for the great review and feedback, MimiG!
Written by a customer while visiting fellowes.com
Customer Rating
5
Best Binding Center - A One-Stop Shop
on November 28, 2021
Posted by: Albus21
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Lyra 3-in-1 is a top-of-the-line binding machine. I bind various sized documents (10 to 100+ pages) weekly and what is most impressive about this binding machine is its binding comb capacity of 1-1/2 inches (300 pages). I have a Fellowes Star 150 at home for telework, but it is limited to a binding comb of 3/4-inch. Although the Lyra 3-in-1 is slightly larger in size than the Star 150, it has more capacity and functionality. The punching capacity of the Lyra 3-in-1 is 20 pages, and at times, it can be difficult to perfectly align in the paper in the punching slot at full paper capacity. Punching 10 to 15 pages at a time took little effort to punch and was easier to align. The hole punch is effortless to use even up to the capacity of 30 sheets of paper. The built in stapler is convenient to have, and it is very smooth and easy to depress. It is one of the best staplers that I have used. I very much like the guide that controls the depth of the staple on the page, but I wish there were also a guide on the side to keep the paper aligned. I visually use the edge of the machine to align the paper before stapling and that works well. Overall, I am extremely pleased with the Lyra 3-in-1 Binding Center. It is easy to use and has a large paper capacity for binding, punching, and stapling. It is also small enough to fit on a shelf above my desk, and it eliminates the need for a separate stapler and hole punch. I received this product free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
Pros: Binding Capacity, Document / Comb Measurement Guide, ease of use, Punch Capacity, Quality Construction, Safety Features, Warranty
Cons: Alignment Guide
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from fellowes.comBy CM, CS, November 29, 2021
Hi Albus21! We appreciate your insightful feedback!
Written by a customer while visiting fellowes.com
Customer Rating
5
Sturdy, Sleek and Very Efficient Comb Binder
on November 23, 2021
Posted by: Amadison
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This Lyra 3-in-1 Binding Center is amazing! It helps me get so much more done and maximizes my productivity. Having this in my office, next to my copy machine, has helped me tremendously. Being able to comb bind up to 300 pages, I'm able to put together so many different things quickly, more specifically, workbooks for my company that show graphs, etc., of product growth and much more. I also use it for personal things, like creating booklets for sheet music for piano. The binding machine is extremely sturdy and well built. It is heavy enough to sit where you want it to and not be worried that it'll be knocked over, or moved easily. The machine does take up a fair amount of space, but I do have room for it and I think its worth it, if you have a little extra space for it. I read through the instruction manuals and guides when I began using it, but honestly, I found it to be user friendly and easy to get used to how it worked on my own. The Binding Center punches effortlessly and easily. It performs very well, without a significant amount of effort. It also looks good too! The machine is very attractive, with its sleek, modern design. I would highly recommend this Binding Center. I think that anyone who purchases it will be very happy that they did. " I received this product for free in exchange for my honest and unbiased review ".
Pros: Alignment Guide, Binding Capacity, Document / Comb Measurement Guide, ease of use, Punch Capacity, Quality Construction, Safety Features, Speed, Warranty
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from fellowes.comBy CM, CS, November 24, 2021
Hi Amadison. Thank you for the excellent and comprehensive review!
Written by a customer while visiting fellowes.com
Customer Rating
5
Convenient, Useful, Well Designed
on November 23, 2021
Posted by: TheWiseOwl
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] OVERVIEW
The Lyra (pronounced “LEE-rah”) offers three ways to bind your documents: 1) stapling your papers together (up to 30 sheets at a time); 2) punching three holes in your papers (up to 30 sheets at a time) for insertion into a ring binder; and 3) punching your papers (up to 20 sheets at a time) and fastening them to a plastic binding comb.
1. STAPLING
This is basically a regular stapler built into the body of the Lyra. So no more having to hunt around for one. The Lyra comes with a small box containing 1,000 ¼” staples. Each staple holds a maximum capacity of 30 sheets of paper (20lb weight), which is the maximum stack that the Lyra can staple at one time. Not sure what is 20lb paper? It’s the typical photocopy paper found in most homes and offices.
Like any stapler, you pull up the handle and insert a strip of staples (each strip contains 50 staples). Note that this is not an electric stapler. You push down on the handle to staple your stack.
There is an adjustable depth guide on the side that you push your paper up against to determine the location where you want to place your staple. With this guide you can place the staple anywhere from 1” down from the top edge of your paper to as little as 1/8” from the top edge of your paper.
Stapling the maximum of 30 sheets of 20lb paper was effortless. Just a gentle and consistent pushing down of the stapler was all it took while seated and having the Lyra at my desk. I have a variety of staplers that each have their quirks. With some, I have to slam down hard while others require a steady push from above with my weight – otherwise the staple does not go cleanly all the way through. With the Lyra, even pushing down with two fingers gave me a clean stapling – impossible to do with my regular staplers.
2. THREE HOLE PUNCH
As with the stapler, there is also no need to have a separate three-hole punch to take up more surface space. The Lyra has one built in and it operates in a similar way. You lift up the Lyra’s handle and insert your documents into the slot on top of the machine. Make sure your documents are flush up against the left so that all of your edges are even. I used the maximum – 30 sheets of 20lb paper.
With the Lyra on my desk, I was able to push down on the handle – while I was seated – and get three cleanly cut holes ready for inserting my documents into a three-ring binder. So it doesn’t take a lot of leverage or effort. There will be some resistance when the handle makes contact with the paper. But it’s not like you have to stand and push down with your weight. And there’s no confetti to clean up. The chads get collected in a small drawer on the bottom of the Lyra.
I also tested the Lyra using 60lb paper. Since it is much heavier, I limited my stack to 10 sheets. I punched three stacks and, each time, the Lyra had no problem cutting clean holes.
3. COMB BINDING
The steps for comb binding are: A) punching the holes; B) measuring the stack; C) loading and threading the binding comb.
A. PUNCHING HOLES
The process is similar to three-hole punching. But, instead of three round holes, the Lyra punches 19 small rectangular holes. Note that, unlike with stapling and three-hole punching, the maximum stack of 20lb paper you can punch is 20 sheets, not 30 sheets. The Lyra’s top lifts up to reveal a separate slot into which you insert your documents for punching the comb binding holes. Fortunately, this slot is designed so that if you accidentally put in 30 sheets – like I did – it will not fit in. For consistency, it would be ideal if the Lyra was able to comb bind a maximum of 30 sheets also.
Again, I operated the Lyra while seated and having the machine on my desk. Punching 20 sheets of 20lb paper did require a stronger downward push on the handle than it did for the three-hole punch. But this is to be expected as more pressure is needed to cut 19 smaller holes spaced closer together than three large ones spaced further apart.
B. MEASURING THE STACK
Next, you hold your stack up against a guide printed on the Lyra to determine what size binding comb you need. I punched 40 sheets (two 20 sheet stacks of 20lb paper), which fit the 3/8” (10mm) binding combs I was provided with.
C. LOADING AND THREADING THE BINDING COMB
Now that I know what size to use, I inserted the binding comb into the claws of the Lyra. They may look like claws, but they are not sharp enough to cause injury – the points are rounded. Be careful, though, when extracting the binding combs from the box. They are packed tightly – 25 to a box – and the corners at each end of the binding combs are pointy enough to elicit an “ouch” from me.
As a first-timer, threading the binding comb took some patience and bright lighting to see what I was doing. After inserting the spine of the binding comb into the claws, you then gently pull a comb opening lever toward you so that the claws pry apart the rings of the spine. Now you can manually thread or insert the rings of the spine into the holes in your document (and covers). As a beginner working under dim light, I missed some of the holes and found it easier to do when I broke up the document into smaller stacks rather than trying to thread the entire stack in one go. Once inserted, you push the lever forward so that the claws close up the rings to secure your document.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Lyra is a “green” machine – no electricity is needed to operate this mechanical device. The machine is about as wide and as deep as many home printers, but certainly not as tall. So it won’t take up too much surface space. The Lyra has a solid build. Nothing feels cheap or flimsy. The style and color of the unit will blend in with all of your home office products.
Paper instructions are included. The English portion is only four pages with lots of diagrams and pictures – so there’s not a lot you have to read. But I suggest downloading a PDF version so that you can easily do searches for specific subjects. The instructions with accompanying pictures were easy to follow though I did view the company’s two-minute video to get a quick overview.
Like many products today, the Lyra is made in China.
Overall, I am very pleased with the machine. I present educational workshops and routinely distribute paper materials. So now, with the Lyra, I can continue to have these materials stapled or I have the option of punching them for use in a ring binder or binding comb. Prices will vary, but I found that the 3/8” (10 mm) binding combs come to about 20 cents each and presentation covers about 50 cents each. So, apart from the initial cost of the machine, I can present my materials with a professional looking finish at a fairly nominal cost.
The Lyra (pronounced “LEE-rah”) offers three ways to bind your documents: 1) stapling your papers together (up to 30 sheets at a time); 2) punching three holes in your papers (up to 30 sheets at a time) for insertion into a ring binder; and 3) punching your papers (up to 20 sheets at a time) and fastening them to a plastic binding comb.
1. STAPLING
This is basically a regular stapler built into the body of the Lyra. So no more having to hunt around for one. The Lyra comes with a small box containing 1,000 ¼” staples. Each staple holds a maximum capacity of 30 sheets of paper (20lb weight), which is the maximum stack that the Lyra can staple at one time. Not sure what is 20lb paper? It’s the typical photocopy paper found in most homes and offices.
Like any stapler, you pull up the handle and insert a strip of staples (each strip contains 50 staples). Note that this is not an electric stapler. You push down on the handle to staple your stack.
There is an adjustable depth guide on the side that you push your paper up against to determine the location where you want to place your staple. With this guide you can place the staple anywhere from 1” down from the top edge of your paper to as little as 1/8” from the top edge of your paper.
Stapling the maximum of 30 sheets of 20lb paper was effortless. Just a gentle and consistent pushing down of the stapler was all it took while seated and having the Lyra at my desk. I have a variety of staplers that each have their quirks. With some, I have to slam down hard while others require a steady push from above with my weight – otherwise the staple does not go cleanly all the way through. With the Lyra, even pushing down with two fingers gave me a clean stapling – impossible to do with my regular staplers.
2. THREE HOLE PUNCH
As with the stapler, there is also no need to have a separate three-hole punch to take up more surface space. The Lyra has one built in and it operates in a similar way. You lift up the Lyra’s handle and insert your documents into the slot on top of the machine. Make sure your documents are flush up against the left so that all of your edges are even. I used the maximum – 30 sheets of 20lb paper.
With the Lyra on my desk, I was able to push down on the handle – while I was seated – and get three cleanly cut holes ready for inserting my documents into a three-ring binder. So it doesn’t take a lot of leverage or effort. There will be some resistance when the handle makes contact with the paper. But it’s not like you have to stand and push down with your weight. And there’s no confetti to clean up. The chads get collected in a small drawer on the bottom of the Lyra.
I also tested the Lyra using 60lb paper. Since it is much heavier, I limited my stack to 10 sheets. I punched three stacks and, each time, the Lyra had no problem cutting clean holes.
3. COMB BINDING
The steps for comb binding are: A) punching the holes; B) measuring the stack; C) loading and threading the binding comb.
A. PUNCHING HOLES
The process is similar to three-hole punching. But, instead of three round holes, the Lyra punches 19 small rectangular holes. Note that, unlike with stapling and three-hole punching, the maximum stack of 20lb paper you can punch is 20 sheets, not 30 sheets. The Lyra’s top lifts up to reveal a separate slot into which you insert your documents for punching the comb binding holes. Fortunately, this slot is designed so that if you accidentally put in 30 sheets – like I did – it will not fit in. For consistency, it would be ideal if the Lyra was able to comb bind a maximum of 30 sheets also.
Again, I operated the Lyra while seated and having the machine on my desk. Punching 20 sheets of 20lb paper did require a stronger downward push on the handle than it did for the three-hole punch. But this is to be expected as more pressure is needed to cut 19 smaller holes spaced closer together than three large ones spaced further apart.
B. MEASURING THE STACK
Next, you hold your stack up against a guide printed on the Lyra to determine what size binding comb you need. I punched 40 sheets (two 20 sheet stacks of 20lb paper), which fit the 3/8” (10mm) binding combs I was provided with.
C. LOADING AND THREADING THE BINDING COMB
Now that I know what size to use, I inserted the binding comb into the claws of the Lyra. They may look like claws, but they are not sharp enough to cause injury – the points are rounded. Be careful, though, when extracting the binding combs from the box. They are packed tightly – 25 to a box – and the corners at each end of the binding combs are pointy enough to elicit an “ouch” from me.
As a first-timer, threading the binding comb took some patience and bright lighting to see what I was doing. After inserting the spine of the binding comb into the claws, you then gently pull a comb opening lever toward you so that the claws pry apart the rings of the spine. Now you can manually thread or insert the rings of the spine into the holes in your document (and covers). As a beginner working under dim light, I missed some of the holes and found it easier to do when I broke up the document into smaller stacks rather than trying to thread the entire stack in one go. Once inserted, you push the lever forward so that the claws close up the rings to secure your document.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Lyra is a “green” machine – no electricity is needed to operate this mechanical device. The machine is about as wide and as deep as many home printers, but certainly not as tall. So it won’t take up too much surface space. The Lyra has a solid build. Nothing feels cheap or flimsy. The style and color of the unit will blend in with all of your home office products.
Paper instructions are included. The English portion is only four pages with lots of diagrams and pictures – so there’s not a lot you have to read. But I suggest downloading a PDF version so that you can easily do searches for specific subjects. The instructions with accompanying pictures were easy to follow though I did view the company’s two-minute video to get a quick overview.
Like many products today, the Lyra is made in China.
Overall, I am very pleased with the machine. I present educational workshops and routinely distribute paper materials. So now, with the Lyra, I can continue to have these materials stapled or I have the option of punching them for use in a ring binder or binding comb. Prices will vary, but I found that the 3/8” (10 mm) binding combs come to about 20 cents each and presentation covers about 50 cents each. So, apart from the initial cost of the machine, I can present my materials with a professional looking finish at a fairly nominal cost.
Pros: Alignment Guide, Binding Capacity, Document / Comb Measurement Guide, ease of use, Punch Capacity, Quality Construction, Safety Features, Speed, Warranty
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from fellowes.comBy CM, CS, November 24, 2021
Wow! We really appreciate the time you took providing your excellent and exhaustive review, TheWiseOwl! Very helpful! When we read you present educational workshops, we understood why this review was so comprehensive. Thank you for your valuable feedback!
Written by a customer while visiting fellowes.com
Customer Rating
5
Highly Recommend the Lyra 3-in-1 Binding Center
on November 23, 2021
Posted by: Moxie
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This binding machine has a sleek design and a solid construction. It loads vertically for accurate an punch alignment. It came with step by step instructions that were detailed yet easy to understand. The Lyra 3-in-1 Binding Center is just that. It binds, staples, and hole punches to create beautiful professional documents and booklets. I am so excited to finally find a product that is of quality construction and easy to use!
Pros: Alignment Guide, Binding Capacity, Document / Comb Measurement Guide, ease of use, Punch Capacity, Quality Construction
Cons: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from fellowes.comBy CM, CS, November 23, 2021
We are happy to hear you appreciate the sleek design and solid construction, Moxie! Thank you for your feedback and providing some pictures as well!
Written by a customer while visiting fellowes.com
Customer Rating
5
Hearty machine; easy to use
on November 23, 2021
Posted by: FellowesFollower
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Machine is very good quality, heavy duty & easy to use. Heavy base so it doesn't slide or move while using it.
Punching for 3-ring binding or using binding combs at your fingertips. Built-in stapler makes it convenient & doesn't get misplaced while binding lots of documents. Very well constructed machine. Fellowes brand is always a reputable brand & stands by their name for excellent quality. I received this product free in exchange for my honest & unbiased review.
Punching for 3-ring binding or using binding combs at your fingertips. Built-in stapler makes it convenient & doesn't get misplaced while binding lots of documents. Very well constructed machine. Fellowes brand is always a reputable brand & stands by their name for excellent quality. I received this product free in exchange for my honest & unbiased review.
Pros: ease of use, Quality Construction, features all in arms-length
I would recommend this to a friend!
Response from fellowes.comBy CM, CS, November 23, 2021
We appreciate the five star recommendation and for the confidence you expressed in the Fellowes Brand and support, FellowesFollower!
Written by a customer while visiting fellowes.com