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General Philatelic/Supplies, Literature & Software : Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

 

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karlfry
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06 Mar 2016
08:33:06pm
Any body have some ideas or past experience as to where to buy good and cheap binders? I really like some of the ones you see in the stamp company catalogs just to expensive right now. Any help would be great!Happy

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ikeyPikey
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06 Mar 2016
08:41:23pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

My local Costco was selling boxes of one dozen 1" 2" 3" 3-ring binders for next-to-nothing each.

Failing that, my GoTo is BCW Supplies

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

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ECollector
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06 Mar 2016
08:45:53pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

you can buy good and you can buy cheap but good cheap binders are non-existent.......

If money is tight, buy mid-grade binders at an office supply store but use the best page/paper you can

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philb
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06 Mar 2016
10:59:33pm

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re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I need binders myself..i was shocked when i went to check out Staples and the 2 inch fabric binders i was buying from a stamp club member for 4 dollars apiece are $11.50 new ! perhaps they will have a sale one day !

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07 Mar 2016
01:49:32am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

When I was a bit more mobile I spent at lest one Saturdays a month at the local flea market. Once I was very fortunate with large reasonable binders that had been used by Arthur Anderson et al.
The vender offered three for a dollar and then when I saw the box with more I wound up buying two boxes of twelve for about $5.
So Flea markets and surplus goods stores might be a good place to look.

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carabop

07 Mar 2016
02:38:06am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I seen a box full at my thrift store. Nice $12 each ones at office supply store for about $15 for the box full. I didn't buy them though. I didn't need them. I'm always checking the thrift store for good bargains. Sometimes you get some good bargains sometimes you wonder why they price something next to new price.

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Mike

07 Mar 2016
08:52:10am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

At our local club we have boxes of all kinds of binder and albums, even Scott albums, that sell for almost nothing in the auction and we all know how expensive Scott albums are. I also found about 20 like new half inch binders for 50¢ each at our local Kiwanis thrift store.
Mike

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ikeyPikey
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07 Mar 2016
09:59:20am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

"... Sometimes you get some good bargains sometimes you wonder why they price something next to new price ..."



I tell myself that the pricers can only price what they recognize.

New Salvation Army store nearby offered small near-mint pieces of Japanese porcelain for U$D 2 and exhaustively laundered & faded bath towels for U$D 4.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey
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youpiao
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07 Mar 2016
10:56:38am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Two words:
1. Hobby
2. Lobby
(Outside the U S of A, subtitute the words of your favorite hobby/crafts store.)

I use both of these binders.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

The large one, at the top, is a standard 3-ring binder, which I use for my large countries and general worldwide.

The other one is a two-post expandable binder that utilizes plastic sleeves in which to insert your pages. I use these for my small countries and topical/thematic collections. When you buy a package of refill pages for this one, expansion posts are included.

If there is no 50%-Off sale when you go, no worries; Hobby Lobby always has a 40% Off One Item coupon which you can either print out off their web page, or simply show the clerk the coupon on the web page on your phone.

Hobby Lobby also carries 16-page (8 leaves) Supersafe stock books that cost $9.59 after the 40% discount.

Cheers,

T

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musicman
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APS #213005

07 Mar 2016
01:18:51pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I buy the black D-ring binders from WalMart. I like them because;

1) many sizes available
2) D-ring lay-flat style
3) Clear front cover pocket, so I can make my own front cover page to insert
4) pockets on the inside of the front and rear cover for storage
5) less that $5 each

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amsd
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Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads

07 Mar 2016
03:54:14pm

Auctions
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I sometimes come across binders being sold at huge discounts, as well as used binders offered at pittances.

If anyone wishes, I'll happily purchase these on their behalf as long as these are not specialty orders. feel free to PM me. I don't know of any at the moment, but I haven't looked.

David

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07 Mar 2016
10:24:16pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I agree with Randy and the D Ring. Those are a must have. There is a post somewhere in here that shows antique book style leatherette binders that I happened to come across at the dollar store for about $3. Between Mum and I, we hit every Dollarama in town and I ended up getting over a dozen binders. It was a freak thing at the back to school time but that was about 4 or 5 years ago and of course I've never seen them again.

That is one of the times to look for binders - end of July and early August when they have the back to school sales because you can find fancier or nicer binders - occasionally leatherette that look nice. Save up your dough, figure out how many you'd need - most are generally 2" and you might find some nice surprises. If you have several of the same store in your city or nearby city and find one you like, check the other stores to see if you can find more.

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TuskenRaider
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09 Mar 2016
12:03:56pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Hi Everyone;

Why would anyone want to put nice stamps in 3-ring binders?

Why would anyone want to put nice stamps in cheap binders?

Most 3-ring binders in the US are JUNK. The rings are not round, most are oval in cross section,
they have teeth that almost never line up well. This results in catching on the punched holes
as the page is turned, and torn holes. Thus the need for monkey's a**holes, or more common-
ly referred to as reinforcements.

European binders are slightly better. They have rings that are round in cross section. The ends
of the rings interlock fairly good. One end has a hole in it, ant the other a pin projecting out that
fits into the hole in the other ring. The spines usually have a finger hole with a thin metal
grommet, to make retrieving them from a shelf very easy.

But why buy binders at all? Make your own, like I do.

Buy instead a comb binding punch. I use mine for many binding projects. Buy a heavy stock like
that used for report covers, and use for your outer album cover. Avoid Mylar plastic material as
it will dull the punches over time.

Next select the paper for your pages. Always print the pages before punching the rectangular
holes to avoid printer jams. when you have all the pages stacked in the order you want place
the plastic comb in the punch. Now move the gizmo that opens the comb teeth. Stack your
pages on the comb teeth. Release the gizmo to close the teeth around your pages.

Negatives about comb binding are 1) limited size of finished albums to 1" thickness or about
150 pages, 2) requires a bit of patience in learning how to use this binding system. Practice on
copy paper and non-printed pages.

It's not rocket science, even a child can do this. This system is also very popular for scrap-
booking. Your pages will never need reinforcements or wear out the holes, and pages will
always lie flat. Just be sure to not CHEAP OUT on the punch, buy a good one.

Better stampin'....
TuskenRaider

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larsdog
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APS #220693 ATA#57179

09 Mar 2016
11:40:39pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

"Why would anyone want to put nice stamps in 3-ring binders?"



I, for one, quite often wish to update a particular page to add a new variety, update the text, or expand the space for a particular issue (if, for example, I determine I need a plate single). I have also been known to move a page from one album to another (e.g. getting all of the Celebrate the Century Stamps together). Other times I decide later I need singles in addition to the pane (for one reason or another). Re-printing one page and inserting it into a 3-ring binder is a lot easier. I have also used stock pages to hold items waiting to be mounted until I place my next order for mounts.

I also scan all of my album pages. That would be a bit more challenging with a spiral bind (or comb bind, if you prefer).

That's just off the top of my head.

If what you are doing works for you, good on ya. If it works best for someone else, I'm glad you showed them the light. However, there are several reasons to prefer 3 ring binders, so given that, here is my input:

I like to have dust covers for my binders. The expensive album manufacturers offer them, but when we incorporated our business the lawyers gave us a 3-ring-binder in a dust cover with our corporate records. I wonder if there is a lawyer supply company that offers binders with dust cover but without the brand name markings. That could be an option.

Lars

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youpiao
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10 Mar 2016
01:05:34am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Amazon offers a kit with binder and slipcase from CorpKit Legal Supplies, but it diverges from the original topic of this thread, vis a vis "cheap." But, then again, it does include 10 stock certificates.

http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-kit-ThriftKit-Combo-LLC/dp/B00NGQ69EG/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1457588977&sr=8-10&keywords=3-RING+BINDER+SLIPCASES

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TuskenRaider
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10 Mar 2016
10:49:43am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Hi Everyone;

larsdog is right about changes to pages, which would be an additional negative for using comb
bindings. I do not collect anything except singles and only Scott listed issues, and so have no
need to make frequent changes.

Actually there are also punches for spiral binding and the piece that holds them all together is Surprise
in fact a helical piece of plastic. The spiral binding system uses small round holes and the comb
binding system uses rectangular holes.

@ larsdog;

It should not be hard to find the European style of binders on line somewhere, and I believe
they do have dust covers also.

@ karlfry;

To answer your original question of good and cheap binders? They are a holy grail that you may
find only by chance in larger cities where many pawn shops and second hand stores are located.
Probably better to spend more time looking on line (world's largest flea market) for a bargain on
good quality items. One good binder that lasts for years is better than 5 cheap ones.

As larsdog said about frequent changes, cheap binders in the way he uses them, eventually the
ends of the rings no longer line up when closing and damaged and torn ring holes are the result.

Nothing worse than custom pages that you spend lots of time making and mounting your treasures,
only to have them damaged by jagged rings. Once you stamp filled page is damaged a lot of work
has been ruined; layout - printing - adding mounts - inserting stamps etc.

Good Luck in your quest.

Keep on stampin'....
TuskenRaider

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karlfry
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30 Apr 2016
11:26:11pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I forgot to post an update. I went with the Hobby Lobby binders. They look good and the price was nice. They look good on the book shelf. Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions.
Karl

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malcolm197

01 May 2016
05:15:13pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

The European standard "office" loose leaf binders are either 2 ring or 4 ring. The 2 ring ( and I suspect the U.S. standard 3 ring ) are inferior to the 4 ring.

If you use heavy pages ( and hence more rigid ) the 4 rings support the pages better as the bottom ring is very near the bottom of the page, which means that the weight of the pages is evenly distributed across the rings. Provided you keep the binder almost full ( using unused pages if necessary ) the pages do not sag. Sagging is a major cause of the distortion of rings which leads to them not meshing correctly as stated above.

I have over 30 4-ring albums of various specifications, and in my opinion binders made specifically for stamp albums are in no way superior to GOOD quality commercial binders. Binders from France are generally better than the UK equivalent ( and before the advent of the Euro had the advantage of being much cheaper - no longer so alas ). I haven't been to France for some time but when taking my annual holidays there used to bring back two or three every year - together with any other stationery I could lay my hands on.

Additionally narrower binders are generally superior to broader ones ( even though they require more shelf space in total). Over 2 inches is a recipe for disaster - they are not made to take the weight of the number of leaves plus stamps that will in theory fit. Most of mine are between 1.5 and 2 inches. I have had in the past 3 and 4 inch thick ones but the outer covers come off eventually. I have not had any stamps damaged but a larger quantity of smaller binders is more convenient. Also a 4 inch binder full of leaves require biceps like Schwarzeneger to deal with.

Malcolm

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Bujutsu
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02 May 2016
10:52:20am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Hi All

I usually buy better grade regular three-ring binders at an office supply store. I prefer this because I print up all of my own albums and can arrange the pages in the way I desire.

Chimo

Bujutsu

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angore
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Collector, Moderator

02 May 2016
10:52:33am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I been getting Mystics albums mostly from ebay although I did get some from a collector who was upgrading to better albums.

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ChrisW
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APS# 175366

16 Aug 2016
01:26:00pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Yes, some of the scrapbooking binders can make for nice stamp albums.


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16 Aug 2016
11:12:17pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I recently upgraded all of of my ring binders, but had a hard time finding any of good quality. You'd think that in Vancouver, hardly a small city at least by North American standards (ranking 31st in North America), you'd be able to find decent binders. Not so. I finally settled, less than comfortably, on binders sold by London Drugs, a large Western Canada chain. They're OK, but not great: they have flimsy rings lightweight covers that are bound to wear out in relatively few years. And guess what — I went to buy a few more, and they're no longer selling them! At Wits End

I also looked for decent sheet protectors. There used to be a range of protectors in different weights and textures. I prefer semi-glossy ones because exhibit sheets and album pages are easier to see (less reflection) and paper slides into them easily. I couldn't any suitable ones at all, and finally ordered some from a company in the U.S. They were expensive, shipping costs were unbelievable, and they really aren't easy to use — I have to fight to get a sheet of paper into them.

I have little doubt that the computerization of the world is to blame. Before I started my project of upgrading my ring books and searching for decent sheet protectors, I had figured out that the range of paper choices had dwindled significantly. I can no longer buy the type of paper that I've used for three of my exhibits. The minuscule amount of mail in my mailbox is proof positive that people are mailing less and less. If the world is using less paper, there is less need for binders and sheet protectors and producing them is a money-losing proposition. Our son is a good example of a member of the paperless society. He makes a good living writing and selling e-books (his income is nearly double what my wife and I ever earned), but he doesn't own a printer.

Bob

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Tom in Exton, PA

17 Aug 2016
09:59:06pm

Approvals
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Image Not Found

I don't see binders as all that important. With a standard three ring binder, it can be changed out in minutes. I have a whole mess of ancient 30 year old binders that held my original boyhood collections. They were cheap and still in remarkable condition.

As I'm working on my USA collection, I have employed a mess of white, blue and black binders from expired work projects. I have also purchased the ones in this photo from Staples. These aren't the cheapest, but one level up with an easy binder release. Most important, all the binders I've chose have a clear end cap, so I can add in printed paper to describe the contents, and change that up as needed.

Why did I get colors? Because the type of collection I'm involved with will involve a lot of binders, some for 5-10 years and some for as little as a year or a side collection. As I've been working with them, it's been easy to grab the right color. For instance, I know my airmails are in a red binder.

I doubt I will wear any of these out in my lifetime. This is a stamp collection where we carefully handle things, not a trucking terminal log book.

Oh, the good part. The binders are around $5 each when you buy 5. I have done a lot of commercial printing through Staples so these were free on my Staples rewards program!

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Steve

18 Aug 2016
12:44:33pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I've been gathering and using old White Ace 3-ring binders for about a year now. I try to get them for around $15 and with a dust cover. A bunch of them lined up side-by-side make for a nice bookshelf. I think I'm up to about 15 so far.

They are quite sturdy and come with page lifters. They each come with one of many different themes emblazoned on their fronts and spines, none of which match what's inside in my case. They fit Vario sheets perfectly. And they come in any color you want, as long as it's black. Big Grin

The only differences I've noticed in quality over the years they were in production is that the page lifters on the older ones were much sturdier. The newer binders come with plastic lifts, which might be prone to cracking with rough handling. The middle picture on the top row shows the newer plastic lifters, and the last picture shows the older, higher quality lifts.

These pictures are not mine, but they give the idea.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

-Steve

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18 Aug 2016
09:27:53pm
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I buy my binders on Amazon where I do a lot of my shopping these days. I started using Avery three ring heavy duty binders. I find them less than the cost of shopping at Staples and much more convenient. If you do much shopping on Amazon it is a good idea to sign up for Prime. It's free shipping.

Vince

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Tom in Exton, PA

22 Jul 2017
09:25:25am

Approvals
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

"I buy my binders on Amazon where I do a lot of my shopping these days. I started using Avery three ring heavy duty binders. I find them less than the cost of shopping at Staples and much more convenient."




I discovered that the Staples "better" binder that I use, cost around $8, is made by Avery although it's branded "Staples". I found the Avery binders at Walmart for less than half the price of Staples.

Note that I do a lot of commercial printing for my clients at Staples. When I run conferences and events, it works very well for me to order printing work through them, to be delivered to their store closest to my event, no matter where in the country. Saves me from lugging it on airplanes!

The Staples Rewards checks I get as rebate, $10-50 at a time, has been spent on their binders for my collection... which equate to free binders. The last big order I got was on their Back To School sale and was half price.

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angore
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22 Jul 2017
10:00:24am
re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

My Avery heavy duty binders have held up really well.

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karlfry

06 Mar 2016
08:33:06pm

Any body have some ideas or past experience as to where to buy good and cheap binders? I really like some of the ones you see in the stamp company catalogs just to expensive right now. Any help would be great!Happy

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ikeyPikey

06 Mar 2016
08:41:23pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

My local Costco was selling boxes of one dozen 1" 2" 3" 3-ring binders for next-to-nothing each.

Failing that, my GoTo is BCW Supplies

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

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ECollector

06 Mar 2016
08:45:53pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

you can buy good and you can buy cheap but good cheap binders are non-existent.......

If money is tight, buy mid-grade binders at an office supply store but use the best page/paper you can

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philb

06 Mar 2016
10:59:33pm

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re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I need binders myself..i was shocked when i went to check out Staples and the 2 inch fabric binders i was buying from a stamp club member for 4 dollars apiece are $11.50 new ! perhaps they will have a sale one day !

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Silence in the face of adversity is the father of complicity and collusion, the first cousins of conspiracy..
07 Mar 2016
01:49:32am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

When I was a bit more mobile I spent at lest one Saturdays a month at the local flea market. Once I was very fortunate with large reasonable binders that had been used by Arthur Anderson et al.
The vender offered three for a dollar and then when I saw the box with more I wound up buying two boxes of twelve for about $5.
So Flea markets and surplus goods stores might be a good place to look.

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carabop

07 Mar 2016
02:38:06am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I seen a box full at my thrift store. Nice $12 each ones at office supply store for about $15 for the box full. I didn't buy them though. I didn't need them. I'm always checking the thrift store for good bargains. Sometimes you get some good bargains sometimes you wonder why they price something next to new price.

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Mike
07 Mar 2016
08:52:10am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

At our local club we have boxes of all kinds of binder and albums, even Scott albums, that sell for almost nothing in the auction and we all know how expensive Scott albums are. I also found about 20 like new half inch binders for 50¢ each at our local Kiwanis thrift store.
Mike

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ikeyPikey

07 Mar 2016
09:59:20am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

"... Sometimes you get some good bargains sometimes you wonder why they price something next to new price ..."



I tell myself that the pricers can only price what they recognize.

New Salvation Army store nearby offered small near-mint pieces of Japanese porcelain for U$D 2 and exhaustively laundered & faded bath towels for U$D 4.

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey
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youpiao

07 Mar 2016
10:56:38am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Two words:
1. Hobby
2. Lobby
(Outside the U S of A, subtitute the words of your favorite hobby/crafts store.)

I use both of these binders.

Image Not Found

Image Not Found

The large one, at the top, is a standard 3-ring binder, which I use for my large countries and general worldwide.

The other one is a two-post expandable binder that utilizes plastic sleeves in which to insert your pages. I use these for my small countries and topical/thematic collections. When you buy a package of refill pages for this one, expansion posts are included.

If there is no 50%-Off sale when you go, no worries; Hobby Lobby always has a 40% Off One Item coupon which you can either print out off their web page, or simply show the clerk the coupon on the web page on your phone.

Hobby Lobby also carries 16-page (8 leaves) Supersafe stock books that cost $9.59 after the 40% discount.

Cheers,

T

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musicman

APS #213005
07 Mar 2016
01:18:51pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I buy the black D-ring binders from WalMart. I like them because;

1) many sizes available
2) D-ring lay-flat style
3) Clear front cover pocket, so I can make my own front cover page to insert
4) pockets on the inside of the front and rear cover for storage
5) less that $5 each

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amsd

Editor, Seal News; contributor, JuicyHeads
07 Mar 2016
03:54:14pm

Auctions

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I sometimes come across binders being sold at huge discounts, as well as used binders offered at pittances.

If anyone wishes, I'll happily purchase these on their behalf as long as these are not specialty orders. feel free to PM me. I don't know of any at the moment, but I haven't looked.

David

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07 Mar 2016
10:24:16pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I agree with Randy and the D Ring. Those are a must have. There is a post somewhere in here that shows antique book style leatherette binders that I happened to come across at the dollar store for about $3. Between Mum and I, we hit every Dollarama in town and I ended up getting over a dozen binders. It was a freak thing at the back to school time but that was about 4 or 5 years ago and of course I've never seen them again.

That is one of the times to look for binders - end of July and early August when they have the back to school sales because you can find fancier or nicer binders - occasionally leatherette that look nice. Save up your dough, figure out how many you'd need - most are generally 2" and you might find some nice surprises. If you have several of the same store in your city or nearby city and find one you like, check the other stores to see if you can find more.

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TuskenRaider

09 Mar 2016
12:03:56pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Hi Everyone;

Why would anyone want to put nice stamps in 3-ring binders?

Why would anyone want to put nice stamps in cheap binders?

Most 3-ring binders in the US are JUNK. The rings are not round, most are oval in cross section,
they have teeth that almost never line up well. This results in catching on the punched holes
as the page is turned, and torn holes. Thus the need for monkey's a**holes, or more common-
ly referred to as reinforcements.

European binders are slightly better. They have rings that are round in cross section. The ends
of the rings interlock fairly good. One end has a hole in it, ant the other a pin projecting out that
fits into the hole in the other ring. The spines usually have a finger hole with a thin metal
grommet, to make retrieving them from a shelf very easy.

But why buy binders at all? Make your own, like I do.

Buy instead a comb binding punch. I use mine for many binding projects. Buy a heavy stock like
that used for report covers, and use for your outer album cover. Avoid Mylar plastic material as
it will dull the punches over time.

Next select the paper for your pages. Always print the pages before punching the rectangular
holes to avoid printer jams. when you have all the pages stacked in the order you want place
the plastic comb in the punch. Now move the gizmo that opens the comb teeth. Stack your
pages on the comb teeth. Release the gizmo to close the teeth around your pages.

Negatives about comb binding are 1) limited size of finished albums to 1" thickness or about
150 pages, 2) requires a bit of patience in learning how to use this binding system. Practice on
copy paper and non-printed pages.

It's not rocket science, even a child can do this. This system is also very popular for scrap-
booking. Your pages will never need reinforcements or wear out the holes, and pages will
always lie flat. Just be sure to not CHEAP OUT on the punch, buy a good one.

Better stampin'....
TuskenRaider

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larsdog

APS #220693 ATA#57179
09 Mar 2016
11:40:39pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

"Why would anyone want to put nice stamps in 3-ring binders?"



I, for one, quite often wish to update a particular page to add a new variety, update the text, or expand the space for a particular issue (if, for example, I determine I need a plate single). I have also been known to move a page from one album to another (e.g. getting all of the Celebrate the Century Stamps together). Other times I decide later I need singles in addition to the pane (for one reason or another). Re-printing one page and inserting it into a 3-ring binder is a lot easier. I have also used stock pages to hold items waiting to be mounted until I place my next order for mounts.

I also scan all of my album pages. That would be a bit more challenging with a spiral bind (or comb bind, if you prefer).

That's just off the top of my head.

If what you are doing works for you, good on ya. If it works best for someone else, I'm glad you showed them the light. However, there are several reasons to prefer 3 ring binders, so given that, here is my input:

I like to have dust covers for my binders. The expensive album manufacturers offer them, but when we incorporated our business the lawyers gave us a 3-ring-binder in a dust cover with our corporate records. I wonder if there is a lawyer supply company that offers binders with dust cover but without the brand name markings. That could be an option.

Lars

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youpiao

10 Mar 2016
01:05:34am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Amazon offers a kit with binder and slipcase from CorpKit Legal Supplies, but it diverges from the original topic of this thread, vis a vis "cheap." But, then again, it does include 10 stock certificates.

http://www.amazon.com/Corporate-kit-ThriftKit-Combo-LLC/dp/B00NGQ69EG/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1457588977&sr=8-10&keywords=3-RING+BINDER+SLIPCASES

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TuskenRaider

10 Mar 2016
10:49:43am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Hi Everyone;

larsdog is right about changes to pages, which would be an additional negative for using comb
bindings. I do not collect anything except singles and only Scott listed issues, and so have no
need to make frequent changes.

Actually there are also punches for spiral binding and the piece that holds them all together is Surprise
in fact a helical piece of plastic. The spiral binding system uses small round holes and the comb
binding system uses rectangular holes.

@ larsdog;

It should not be hard to find the European style of binders on line somewhere, and I believe
they do have dust covers also.

@ karlfry;

To answer your original question of good and cheap binders? They are a holy grail that you may
find only by chance in larger cities where many pawn shops and second hand stores are located.
Probably better to spend more time looking on line (world's largest flea market) for a bargain on
good quality items. One good binder that lasts for years is better than 5 cheap ones.

As larsdog said about frequent changes, cheap binders in the way he uses them, eventually the
ends of the rings no longer line up when closing and damaged and torn ring holes are the result.

Nothing worse than custom pages that you spend lots of time making and mounting your treasures,
only to have them damaged by jagged rings. Once you stamp filled page is damaged a lot of work
has been ruined; layout - printing - adding mounts - inserting stamps etc.

Good Luck in your quest.

Keep on stampin'....
TuskenRaider

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karlfry

30 Apr 2016
11:26:11pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I forgot to post an update. I went with the Hobby Lobby binders. They look good and the price was nice. They look good on the book shelf. Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions.
Karl

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malcolm197

01 May 2016
05:15:13pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

The European standard "office" loose leaf binders are either 2 ring or 4 ring. The 2 ring ( and I suspect the U.S. standard 3 ring ) are inferior to the 4 ring.

If you use heavy pages ( and hence more rigid ) the 4 rings support the pages better as the bottom ring is very near the bottom of the page, which means that the weight of the pages is evenly distributed across the rings. Provided you keep the binder almost full ( using unused pages if necessary ) the pages do not sag. Sagging is a major cause of the distortion of rings which leads to them not meshing correctly as stated above.

I have over 30 4-ring albums of various specifications, and in my opinion binders made specifically for stamp albums are in no way superior to GOOD quality commercial binders. Binders from France are generally better than the UK equivalent ( and before the advent of the Euro had the advantage of being much cheaper - no longer so alas ). I haven't been to France for some time but when taking my annual holidays there used to bring back two or three every year - together with any other stationery I could lay my hands on.

Additionally narrower binders are generally superior to broader ones ( even though they require more shelf space in total). Over 2 inches is a recipe for disaster - they are not made to take the weight of the number of leaves plus stamps that will in theory fit. Most of mine are between 1.5 and 2 inches. I have had in the past 3 and 4 inch thick ones but the outer covers come off eventually. I have not had any stamps damaged but a larger quantity of smaller binders is more convenient. Also a 4 inch binder full of leaves require biceps like Schwarzeneger to deal with.

Malcolm

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Bujutsu

02 May 2016
10:52:20am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Hi All

I usually buy better grade regular three-ring binders at an office supply store. I prefer this because I print up all of my own albums and can arrange the pages in the way I desire.

Chimo

Bujutsu

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angore

Collector, Moderator
02 May 2016
10:52:33am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I been getting Mystics albums mostly from ebay although I did get some from a collector who was upgrading to better albums.

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ChrisW

APS# 175366
16 Aug 2016
01:26:00pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

Yes, some of the scrapbooking binders can make for nice stamp albums.


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Bobstamp

16 Aug 2016
11:12:17pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I recently upgraded all of of my ring binders, but had a hard time finding any of good quality. You'd think that in Vancouver, hardly a small city at least by North American standards (ranking 31st in North America), you'd be able to find decent binders. Not so. I finally settled, less than comfortably, on binders sold by London Drugs, a large Western Canada chain. They're OK, but not great: they have flimsy rings lightweight covers that are bound to wear out in relatively few years. And guess what — I went to buy a few more, and they're no longer selling them! At Wits End

I also looked for decent sheet protectors. There used to be a range of protectors in different weights and textures. I prefer semi-glossy ones because exhibit sheets and album pages are easier to see (less reflection) and paper slides into them easily. I couldn't any suitable ones at all, and finally ordered some from a company in the U.S. They were expensive, shipping costs were unbelievable, and they really aren't easy to use — I have to fight to get a sheet of paper into them.

I have little doubt that the computerization of the world is to blame. Before I started my project of upgrading my ring books and searching for decent sheet protectors, I had figured out that the range of paper choices had dwindled significantly. I can no longer buy the type of paper that I've used for three of my exhibits. The minuscule amount of mail in my mailbox is proof positive that people are mailing less and less. If the world is using less paper, there is less need for binders and sheet protectors and producing them is a money-losing proposition. Our son is a good example of a member of the paperless society. He makes a good living writing and selling e-books (his income is nearly double what my wife and I ever earned), but he doesn't own a printer.

Bob

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BenFranklin1902

Tom in Exton, PA
17 Aug 2016
09:59:06pm

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re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

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I don't see binders as all that important. With a standard three ring binder, it can be changed out in minutes. I have a whole mess of ancient 30 year old binders that held my original boyhood collections. They were cheap and still in remarkable condition.

As I'm working on my USA collection, I have employed a mess of white, blue and black binders from expired work projects. I have also purchased the ones in this photo from Staples. These aren't the cheapest, but one level up with an easy binder release. Most important, all the binders I've chose have a clear end cap, so I can add in printed paper to describe the contents, and change that up as needed.

Why did I get colors? Because the type of collection I'm involved with will involve a lot of binders, some for 5-10 years and some for as little as a year or a side collection. As I've been working with them, it's been easy to grab the right color. For instance, I know my airmails are in a red binder.

I doubt I will wear any of these out in my lifetime. This is a stamp collection where we carefully handle things, not a trucking terminal log book.

Oh, the good part. The binders are around $5 each when you buy 5. I have done a lot of commercial printing through Staples so these were free on my Staples rewards program!

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GeoStamper

Steve
18 Aug 2016
12:44:33pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I've been gathering and using old White Ace 3-ring binders for about a year now. I try to get them for around $15 and with a dust cover. A bunch of them lined up side-by-side make for a nice bookshelf. I think I'm up to about 15 so far.

They are quite sturdy and come with page lifters. They each come with one of many different themes emblazoned on their fronts and spines, none of which match what's inside in my case. They fit Vario sheets perfectly. And they come in any color you want, as long as it's black. Big Grin

The only differences I've noticed in quality over the years they were in production is that the page lifters on the older ones were much sturdier. The newer binders come with plastic lifts, which might be prone to cracking with rough handling. The middle picture on the top row shows the newer plastic lifters, and the last picture shows the older, higher quality lifts.

These pictures are not mine, but they give the idea.

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-Steve

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vinman

18 Aug 2016
09:27:53pm

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

I buy my binders on Amazon where I do a lot of my shopping these days. I started using Avery three ring heavy duty binders. I find them less than the cost of shopping at Staples and much more convenient. If you do much shopping on Amazon it is a good idea to sign up for Prime. It's free shipping.

Vince

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BenFranklin1902

Tom in Exton, PA
22 Jul 2017
09:25:25am

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re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

"I buy my binders on Amazon where I do a lot of my shopping these days. I started using Avery three ring heavy duty binders. I find them less than the cost of shopping at Staples and much more convenient."




I discovered that the Staples "better" binder that I use, cost around $8, is made by Avery although it's branded "Staples". I found the Avery binders at Walmart for less than half the price of Staples.

Note that I do a lot of commercial printing for my clients at Staples. When I run conferences and events, it works very well for me to order printing work through them, to be delivered to their store closest to my event, no matter where in the country. Saves me from lugging it on airplanes!

The Staples Rewards checks I get as rebate, $10-50 at a time, has been spent on their binders for my collection... which equate to free binders. The last big order I got was on their Back To School sale and was half price.

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angore

Collector, Moderator
22 Jul 2017
10:00:24am

re: Where to buy good (and cheap) binders for albums.

My Avery heavy duty binders have held up really well.

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