I was in Big Lots discount store recently and decided to pickup a
couple of their cheap laminators that they carry --a 4" for $12.99
and a 9" for $29.99. I got them home and opened them up to find that
these were fabricated in the cheapest possible fashion. These
are "heated rollers" but the heat transfer mechanism doesn't look
very effective. It took a very long time to get them warm enough to
even seal the laminator pouches they were designed for. The rollers
are statically fixed in a plastic pillowblock. It's not surprising
to hear that someone on this list (I can't remember names) managed to
melt the mechanical supports on this model when they modified the
heating element. Two strikes against this one. Ineffective heat,
and a static roller support. The one I use has a 4 roller system,
heater in between rollers and has a spring loaded roller support --
accomodating varied thickness materials. I don't believe 4 rollers
are necessary for good TT, but springloaded and good heat are
probably must haves.
I wonder if we might start a laminator listing with known good /
known bad laminator hardware.
Anyway, this one looks on the surface to be a looser for toner
transfer. I'd be delighted to have someone correct me.
-Dal
For TT, I use:
Royal Sovereign NR-900 Laminator
--Sams Club (newer digital version NR-901)--$77
http://www.royalsovereign.com/product/e_pro1_3.asp9"
4 roller, spring loaded
center heater top&bottom elements (not heated roller --which could
actually be more effective, just not the design on models below)
"Big!Lots" versions:
(recommend you avoid these for TT)
Design Concepts LAMINATOR model:YJ-3071 --$12.99
4"
static 2 roller design
30 watts!!!! (could be a typo on the label)
ineffective heated roller
TDE Systems #W14G4819 --$29.99
9"
static 2 roller design
230 watts (but doesn't get all that warm on the roller surface)
ineffective heated roller