Product Specifications
Brand NameApache
Model numberAL13P
Manufacturer Part NumberAL13P
Technical Details
- Heavy Duty Steel Construction Throughout
- 4 Silicone Rollers and Precise Temperature Control
- Forward and Reverse Switch to Prevent Jams
- Ultra Bright Blue LED Digital Display
- ISO9002 Designation
By N. Howell
Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the best laminator I have ever used....and it's the only one I
have ever used. Based on other reviews, I bought it, and am very
pleased. I will include instructions, as mine were written by an ESL
person and was in degrees C (every temp # I list below, will be in
degrees F, since that's what the machine displays). Also, I will
include some tips I found, as I'm new to this. And finally, I will
actually do a review at the bottom.
First off, the device is easy to use, so there will not be many instructions. Temp adjust buttons to adjust the temp up and down, and a slot to insert the laminate pouch.
I've seen a lot of reviews give temps, but the instructions I have worked well, even if higher than others peoples temp settings. I would suggest maybe starting 30 degrees lower than the instructions, and work up in 10deg increments for your first few laminations. The final product will be warm to the touch and should be clear. If not, then the temp needs to be raised. If it buckles, then the temp should be lowered.
The instructions list:
1.5mil 230deg
3mil 266deg
5mil 302deg
7mil 328deg
10mil 356deg
Allow about 5min after reaching temp, before laminating.
When finished with the unit, adjust temp down to less than 200deg (I do 100deg), and allow to run for 2min. The instructions say shutting down at high temp can harm the rollers. Hold the button down, and the numbers change quickly.
A carrier for the laminate is not needed, and I'm guessing using one may change the temp setting.
Aside from that, that's about it.
Tips:
As the laminate comes out warm, be careful on how you handle it for about 30s to allow it to cool. I find, the warm laminate will form a slight permanent buckle if you grab it with thumb and fingers, like one might naturally do. I pick them up with the flat of my hand, and avoid using my thumb. Additionally, while the unit will hold onto the laminate so it does not drop to the floor, I suggest placing something about the same height at the exit - being careful not to block the fan ports. This way it does not form a slight bend as it cools (but it is only slight - I am a little picky)
When laminating two sheets of paper placed back to back, I use a stick glue to bond the paper to each other. The laminate will bond to the surface, but the glue will help in making the paper sheets not feel odd when they separate naturally inside the laminate...I but a glue stripe ever couple inches.
The laminate of course, seals all the way around, which is a water tight seal, but if one is not concerned about that, and only a single sheet of the paper was laminated, the laminate with paper can be cut that will produce a clean durable laminated sheet on both sides. (my wife is a teacher, so we laminate the paper, then cut out the flashcards for use in class - rather than cutting first and laminating the pieces.)
Review:
Ok, as I said, this is the best laminator I have used. It heats up quickly, does an excellent job, and works like a charm. Yeah, the instructions are odd at best, such as 'Strictly prohibit to repair the machine with electricity'. :-)
Also, this thing weights a ton, shipping weight is 18 pounds. Its very well made, all metal, all of which gets warm, but the only hot area is that dark grey removable section - and I don't think it's really that hot...but it is possibly a safety concern for higher temps.
I have only used 5mil pouches so far, and a 300deg setting works very well...so did 290, but I figure I might as well go by the directions. I am getting some different thickness pouches, and if something changes, I will update this.
All in all, I'm very pleased with this product....given that it's at least half or a fourth of other products, that's just all bonus for a teacher.
1 YEAR update
The unit is still running strong. I have put through maybe at least 300 sheets or so. Of 5, 7, 10mil, and also in standard and legal size pouches - to laminate nearly full sheets of newspaper. Handles everything. I did have one sheet jam up in the unit, to which I think was my fault. I paniced and yanked it back out (yeah I know there is a reverse, but that's after I had a few seconds to think). I thought maybe I damaged something...but it still working strong.
First off, the device is easy to use, so there will not be many instructions. Temp adjust buttons to adjust the temp up and down, and a slot to insert the laminate pouch.
I've seen a lot of reviews give temps, but the instructions I have worked well, even if higher than others peoples temp settings. I would suggest maybe starting 30 degrees lower than the instructions, and work up in 10deg increments for your first few laminations. The final product will be warm to the touch and should be clear. If not, then the temp needs to be raised. If it buckles, then the temp should be lowered.
The instructions list:
1.5mil 230deg
3mil 266deg
5mil 302deg
7mil 328deg
10mil 356deg
Allow about 5min after reaching temp, before laminating.
When finished with the unit, adjust temp down to less than 200deg (I do 100deg), and allow to run for 2min. The instructions say shutting down at high temp can harm the rollers. Hold the button down, and the numbers change quickly.
A carrier for the laminate is not needed, and I'm guessing using one may change the temp setting.
Aside from that, that's about it.
Tips:
As the laminate comes out warm, be careful on how you handle it for about 30s to allow it to cool. I find, the warm laminate will form a slight permanent buckle if you grab it with thumb and fingers, like one might naturally do. I pick them up with the flat of my hand, and avoid using my thumb. Additionally, while the unit will hold onto the laminate so it does not drop to the floor, I suggest placing something about the same height at the exit - being careful not to block the fan ports. This way it does not form a slight bend as it cools (but it is only slight - I am a little picky)
When laminating two sheets of paper placed back to back, I use a stick glue to bond the paper to each other. The laminate will bond to the surface, but the glue will help in making the paper sheets not feel odd when they separate naturally inside the laminate...I but a glue stripe ever couple inches.
The laminate of course, seals all the way around, which is a water tight seal, but if one is not concerned about that, and only a single sheet of the paper was laminated, the laminate with paper can be cut that will produce a clean durable laminated sheet on both sides. (my wife is a teacher, so we laminate the paper, then cut out the flashcards for use in class - rather than cutting first and laminating the pieces.)
Review:
Ok, as I said, this is the best laminator I have used. It heats up quickly, does an excellent job, and works like a charm. Yeah, the instructions are odd at best, such as 'Strictly prohibit to repair the machine with electricity'. :-)
Also, this thing weights a ton, shipping weight is 18 pounds. Its very well made, all metal, all of which gets warm, but the only hot area is that dark grey removable section - and I don't think it's really that hot...but it is possibly a safety concern for higher temps.
I have only used 5mil pouches so far, and a 300deg setting works very well...so did 290, but I figure I might as well go by the directions. I am getting some different thickness pouches, and if something changes, I will update this.
All in all, I'm very pleased with this product....given that it's at least half or a fourth of other products, that's just all bonus for a teacher.
1 YEAR update
The unit is still running strong. I have put through maybe at least 300 sheets or so. Of 5, 7, 10mil, and also in standard and legal size pouches - to laminate nearly full sheets of newspaper. Handles everything. I did have one sheet jam up in the unit, to which I think was my fault. I paniced and yanked it back out (yeah I know there is a reverse, but that's after I had a few seconds to think). I thought maybe I damaged something...but it still working strong.
By Exscotticus
Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased the Apache AL13P after looking over the $125+ laminators
sold by Staples. I'm sure the Saturn is a great laminator but it's twice
as expensive and feels like a cheap piece of plastic consumer crap. The
Apache, by contrast, is a solid metal beast (I immediately nicknamed it
THE TANK), and harkens back to an era when quality items were always
made of metal and felt industrial and unbreakable. Add to this the
adjustable temperature feature which, now that I've used it, can't
imagine not having.
So what's there not to love? Well... Apache doesn't exactly have a huge Web presence. Indeed, they don't seem to have any Web presence at all. No Web site. No online PDF manual. No parts replacement. Nothing. The unit did not ship with a manual per se, but rather a sheet of paper upon which the instructions were clear enough--but also clearly written by someone who does't speak the King's English. Reputation?--no idea. Long term performance?--no idea. Support?--no idea.
Basically, if you can get around the fact that the Apache is a mystery product produced by a mystery company, then you won't believe how much metal you're getting for your money. It works and it works well--so far...
UPDATE...
Sadly, this laminator will not handle 10mil tabloid-sized pouches. It simply doesn't get (or stay) hot enough to create a proper seal even at the highest heat setting. It will handle 10mil in smaller sizes. For this I have removed one star.
So what's there not to love? Well... Apache doesn't exactly have a huge Web presence. Indeed, they don't seem to have any Web presence at all. No Web site. No online PDF manual. No parts replacement. Nothing. The unit did not ship with a manual per se, but rather a sheet of paper upon which the instructions were clear enough--but also clearly written by someone who does't speak the King's English. Reputation?--no idea. Long term performance?--no idea. Support?--no idea.
Basically, if you can get around the fact that the Apache is a mystery product produced by a mystery company, then you won't believe how much metal you're getting for your money. It works and it works well--so far...
UPDATE...
Sadly, this laminator will not handle 10mil tabloid-sized pouches. It simply doesn't get (or stay) hot enough to create a proper seal even at the highest heat setting. It will handle 10mil in smaller sizes. For this I have removed one star.
