GBC: Model "H-220"
This unit is the newest and least expensive of GBC's pouch laminator product lineup.
It follows the two prior models (Personal and Creative) which both had very long production runs.
The H-220 is more than a new pretty face. It boasts a two great features over all prior models:
1. The Auto-Shutoff is a feature worth it's weight in gold (at 6 pounds and $1,400/oz, that's about $135,000) or the average price for a home. The point being, it's not going to keep running if you forget to turn it off (like all prior models) so the likelihood of a fire from malfunction if all but eliminated. So, yes, it's worth its weight in gold!
2. The PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) electronic circuit not only keeps the unit at a more stable temperature but also is much more accurate over the prior model's simple and inaccurate "thermostat". This of course gives way to having nice "push button" operation (part of the pretty face part of the new design).
And of course with every advantage there comes a disadvantage... but it's easily overcome. The only problem with the unit for our purposes is that the heated rollers turn too fast. Luckily, there is a very simple fix that doesn't really effect the unit. It only requires a Phillips screwdriver and 5 minutes of your time.
This modification to make merely swaps the location of two gears that come off the motor/geartrain assembly. This changes the speed ratio going to the rollers. In effect, the rollers turn 1/3 slower and with that comes increased torque. Click on the PDF file below to view full size or "right-click" to download.
