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I felt like a lot of review videos I had seen were right out of the box, which was what made me buy the levenger punch in the first place. But no one really shows how it fairs a few months later.
@@CantripsMedia it was very helpfull for me too! thanks! i live in Argentina, I have to do 2000 notebooks and y trying to choose between buying some of them or having the holes done in a company. Could you tell me how many pages do you think the levenger punch can do before it die!? haha. Thank you very very much!
I don’t have exact numbers for that. I make about 40 journals a week and it lasted me about 6 months, but I also use it on heavy cardstock. The paper I use is also a little thicker than typical printer paper, it’s 28 lb paper. Each journal holds anywhere from 128-135 pages, plus I make batches of page packs, which I honestly don’t know how many of those I make a week. In other words it sees very heavy use and lasts me about 6 months before I have to get a new one. In those 6 months I also have to fix it either by replacing punches or other maintenance about once every two weeks. Hope that helps!
Put a LITTLE bit of clear nail polish on a screw and it helps keep it tight but they can still be removed later. Try it on your old punch. I have used that on some of my craft items and even my sunglasses
This is a fantastic tip. That old punch is now mostly in pieces (I use it for parts) but there is a loose screw on my new one that I might try this trick with. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for reviewing these after thorough use! I've been considering these so it was very helpful to see. I currently have the Levenger 1-2-3 punch. It's thin & light & great for portability, with the trade off that you can't punch near the amount at the same time as the two you reviewed, only about 2-3 reliably I'd say. As long as I don't try to punch too many pages at once I don't have trouble with the punches sticking. It's also really easy to empty the punched paper pieces, as all you have to do is pull off a rubber/plastic strip that snaps on the bottom. I've only used it to punch about 200-300 sheets though, so I can't say how well it holds up on extended use.
FYI, Levenger also has an intermediate-sized 6-page puncher called "Levenger Circa Universal Desk Punch" on Amazon. It's about 1/3 cheaper than the boxy 15-page black one that's given you headaches (but still more expensive than the Arc and Tul ones). It looks a lot more like a simple, traditional desk 3-hole puncher, so it may not have the same mechanical issues you've experienced -- but, of course, its capacity is only 40%.
Interesting! I’d have to do the math to see if that’s worth it. Honestly, I JUST bought a replacement for the punch in this video about a week ago! I bought the same one because of the capacity. I double checked when I ordered the last one; those big Levenger punches last almost exactly 6 months. I also tear apart the old ones to keep any of the working pieces as spare parts. It’s an okay system for now. But I might look into the smaller one.
You just saved my a** and wallet making this video! 😮💨 My crazy self punched a sheet of acetate in my new Levenger Circa punch (I figured since it worked in my Arc heavy duty punch that this one would be no problem) and it got STUCK stuck. Me being unfamiliar I had no idea if I could even access the bottom. So I found your video and followed your instructions to take the top off and I pushed the discs back in that was affected by the acetate. Unfortunately I did run into some of those little headaches like having to readjust the slider bar and making sure the little door pushed back in. But your explanations really helped me navigate things. Thank you 😊
Awe I'm glad! Since this video I think I have gone through 6 Levenger punches, and still have just the one Arc punch haha. Granted I use the levenger punch more, frequently and save the big stuff for the Arc, but it's still crazy haha. I think this has also inspired me to make a little "how I fix my levenger punch" video. It might be a little easier to find then. Thank you for your comment!!
I buy them in bulk from Levenger. But you can find them on Amazon or from places like Staples, OfficeMax, Joann’s, Michael’s… Lots of office supply stores and craft stores contain accessories for discbound notebooks!
So the ARC can punch through cardstock? even if it's one at a time, that's great!! oh, and the happy planner one too, huh. Can The levenger also punch through cardstock?
Great comparison! I have the TUL punch and I was wondering if you had any info about the turnability of the pages punched with that compared to these two
Apologies for the late reply (I had a baby around the time you posted this comment so I’ve been a tad busy haha). I have some TUL pages myself for an old planner. Personally I feel it’s slightly better than the Arc holes, but not as nice as levenger. So somewhere in between, which means not too bad if you ask me. I think it also depends on your discs though, I don’t know how TUL discs are with their own pages, if that makes sense. I put the TUL pages on levenger discs (which is what I use for my products as well) and came up with that assessment.
@@CantripsMedia Congratulations! I have an assortment of discs - I'm just getting into it right now and I thought I'd be sticking with TUL until I realized they didn't make metal discs and I ended up loving some metal Levenger ones I got. Maybe at some point I'll get the Levenger punch - I really appreciate all of your feedback!
You took the bottom off the Levenger and I seen the screws but how do you remove the punch. I need to remove one and I assume its the top but can’t find anyone showing how to do this. Thank you!
You must do a LOT of punching to put up with that Levenger over the ARC. Seems whatever time you save punching is lost in maintaining that 15-page Levenger punch
Maintaining is a loose term. I do have to replace parts on it maybe every two-three months and I replace parts from older ones. At this point, like clockwork, I replace the levenger every 6 months. I DO punch a lot of paper though. Each journal I make contains about 64 sheets of paper (not including covers) and I make about 100-150 journals a month. This also doesn’t include page packs (another 16 pages each) which I don’t make as regularly but still add to the count. That said, the levenger mushroom hole makes the pages easier to turn so I prefer the shape of that over the arc punch. In the long run, the time spent on maintenance on the levnger punch is still less time than using strictly the arc punch. I actually time pretty much everything so I know on average it only takes me about 15-30 minutes every couple of months to maintain the levenger versus double the punching time for arc since I can’t punch as many pages. BUT this is all VERY situational to me and my workflow and might not be the case for everyone. And I don’t think the average person would put the levenger through hell like I do haha. One day, when my company gets bigger I hope to splurge on an automated punching machine, but that’s a $30000 investment I don’t have funds for yet.
Hi! I have the newer Levenger that you showed. Can you remove the bottom to remove some of the punches on that one? I haven’t tried it yet because I’m scared lol. This is a great video and had a lot of the info that I was looking for. TFS :)
Are you talking about the levenger Circa 1-2-3? The little one or the big boy? 😂 I don't have the little one (the 1-2-3) so I can't speak to whether the punches are removable on that one, though I think the idea for that one is there are different sizes based on which of the three levers you press down. If you're talking about the big boy, you can remove some of the punches. The bottom pops off (is a little complicated to get back on but is doable) and then you'll need a screwdriver to unscrew the punch. Then just carefully maneuver ot out. I hope thats helpful!
@@CantripsMedia thank you! Yes, I’m talking about the big one you have in the video (not the older big one). I can see where the punches are screwed it at the bottom when I open the remnants compartment. I think I need to get to the back part though. I’ll try what you’re talking about. I appreciate your help :)
What kind of videos would help you use our journals? Let me know what you'd want to see! And subscribe for more updates like this and more tips for D&D players and DMs!
I’m so glad you showed how the Levenger punch actually fares in a real-life heavy-use scenario. Very helpful. Thanks so much!
I felt like a lot of review videos I had seen were right out of the box, which was what made me buy the levenger punch in the first place. But no one really shows how it fairs a few months later.
@@CantripsMedia it was very helpfull for me too! thanks! i live in Argentina, I have to do 2000 notebooks and y trying to choose between buying some of them or having the holes done in a company. Could you tell me how many pages do you think the levenger punch can do before it die!? haha. Thank you very very much!
I don’t have exact numbers for that. I make about 40 journals a week and it lasted me about 6 months, but I also use it on heavy cardstock. The paper I use is also a little thicker than typical printer paper, it’s 28 lb paper. Each journal holds anywhere from 128-135 pages, plus I make batches of page packs, which I honestly don’t know how many of those I make a week. In other words it sees very heavy use and lasts me about 6 months before I have to get a new one. In those 6 months I also have to fix it either by replacing punches or other maintenance about once every two weeks. Hope that helps!
Put a LITTLE bit of clear nail polish on a screw and it helps keep it tight but they can still be removed later. Try it on your old punch. I have used that on some of my craft items and even my sunglasses
This is a fantastic tip. That old punch is now mostly in pieces (I use it for parts) but there is a loose screw on my new one that I might try this trick with. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you for reviewing these after thorough use! I've been considering these so it was very helpful to see. I currently have the Levenger 1-2-3 punch. It's thin & light & great for portability, with the trade off that you can't punch near the amount at the same time as the two you reviewed, only about 2-3 reliably I'd say. As long as I don't try to punch too many pages at once I don't have trouble with the punches sticking. It's also really easy to empty the punched paper pieces, as all you have to do is pull off a rubber/plastic strip that snaps on the bottom. I've only used it to punch about 200-300 sheets though, so I can't say how well it holds up on extended use.
That’s great to know though! Thank you for sharing! The two I have were bought with the intention of using them A LOT.
and the Levenger 1-2-3 punch, punches through thicker materials? like card stock, for the covers?
FYI, Levenger also has an intermediate-sized 6-page puncher called "Levenger Circa Universal Desk Punch" on Amazon. It's about 1/3 cheaper than the boxy 15-page black one that's given you headaches (but still more expensive than the Arc and Tul ones). It looks a lot more like a simple, traditional desk 3-hole puncher, so it may not have the same mechanical issues you've experienced -- but, of course, its capacity is only 40%.
Interesting! I’d have to do the math to see if that’s worth it. Honestly, I JUST bought a replacement for the punch in this video about a week ago! I bought the same one because of the capacity. I double checked when I ordered the last one; those big Levenger punches last almost exactly 6 months. I also tear apart the old ones to keep any of the working pieces as spare parts. It’s an okay system for now. But I might look into the smaller one.
You just saved my a** and wallet making this video! 😮💨 My crazy self punched a sheet of acetate in my new Levenger Circa punch (I figured since it worked in my Arc heavy duty punch that this one would be no problem) and it got STUCK stuck. Me being unfamiliar I had no idea if I could even access the bottom. So I found your video and followed your instructions to take the top off and I pushed the discs back in that was affected by the acetate. Unfortunately I did run into some of those little headaches like having to readjust the slider bar and making sure the little door pushed back in. But your explanations really helped me navigate things. Thank you 😊
Awe I'm glad! Since this video I think I have gone through 6 Levenger punches, and still have just the one Arc punch haha. Granted I use the levenger punch more, frequently and save the big stuff for the Arc, but it's still crazy haha. I think this has also inspired me to make a little "how I fix my levenger punch" video. It might be a little easier to find then. Thank you for your comment!!
This is so helpful, thank you!
Thumbs way for your efforts!
I recommend using blue thread lock on the screws. Don't use red it's practically glue.
where do you get the disc's from the ones you build the journal on ?
I buy them in bulk from Levenger. But you can find them on Amazon or from places like Staples, OfficeMax, Joann’s, Michael’s… Lots of office supply stores and craft stores contain accessories for discbound notebooks!
So the ARC can punch through cardstock? even if it's one at a time, that's great!! oh, and the happy planner one too, huh. Can The levenger also punch through cardstock?
They all can, it just depends on the thickness. I typically use 80-100 lb paper but I've even punched bookboard!
@@CantripsMedia 🤯wow!! ok🥳, thanks for answering me 🥺🥺🥺
Great comparison! I have the TUL punch and I was wondering if you had any info about the turnability of the pages punched with that compared to these two
Apologies for the late reply (I had a baby around the time you posted this comment so I’ve been a tad busy haha). I have some TUL pages myself for an old planner. Personally I feel it’s slightly better than the Arc holes, but not as nice as levenger. So somewhere in between, which means not too bad if you ask me. I think it also depends on your discs though, I don’t know how TUL discs are with their own pages, if that makes sense. I put the TUL pages on levenger discs (which is what I use for my products as well) and came up with that assessment.
@@CantripsMedia Congratulations! I have an assortment of discs - I'm just getting into it right now and I thought I'd be sticking with TUL until I realized they didn't make metal discs and I ended up loving some metal Levenger ones I got. Maybe at some point I'll get the Levenger punch - I really appreciate all of your feedback!
You took the bottom off the Levenger and I seen the screws but how do you remove the punch. I need to remove one and I assume its the top but can’t find anyone showing how to do this. Thank you!
You unscrew it and pull it out. You sometimes have to pinch it closed (use a pair of pliers) but that's all you have to do
You must do a LOT of punching to put up with that Levenger over the ARC. Seems whatever time you save punching is lost in maintaining that 15-page Levenger punch
Maintaining is a loose term. I do have to replace parts on it maybe every two-three months and I replace parts from older ones. At this point, like clockwork, I replace the levenger every 6 months. I DO punch a lot of paper though. Each journal I make contains about 64 sheets of paper (not including covers) and I make about 100-150 journals a month. This also doesn’t include page packs (another 16 pages each) which I don’t make as regularly but still add to the count. That said, the levenger mushroom hole makes the pages easier to turn so I prefer the shape of that over the arc punch. In the long run, the time spent on maintenance on the levnger punch is still less time than using strictly the arc punch. I actually time pretty much everything so I know on average it only takes me about 15-30 minutes every couple of months to maintain the levenger versus double the punching time for arc since I can’t punch as many pages.
BUT this is all VERY situational to me and my workflow and might not be the case for everyone. And I don’t think the average person would put the levenger through hell like I do haha. One day, when my company gets bigger I hope to splurge on an automated punching machine, but that’s a $30000 investment I don’t have funds for yet.
Hi! I have the newer Levenger that you showed. Can you remove the bottom to remove some of the punches on that one? I haven’t tried it yet because I’m scared lol. This is a great video and had a lot of the info that I was looking for. TFS :)
Are you talking about the levenger Circa 1-2-3? The little one or the big boy? 😂 I don't have the little one (the 1-2-3) so I can't speak to whether the punches are removable on that one, though I think the idea for that one is there are different sizes based on which of the three levers you press down.
If you're talking about the big boy, you can remove some of the punches. The bottom pops off (is a little complicated to get back on but is doable) and then you'll need a screwdriver to unscrew the punch. Then just carefully maneuver ot out.
I hope thats helpful!
@@CantripsMedia thank you! Yes, I’m talking about the big one you have in the video (not the older big one). I can see where the punches are screwed it at the bottom when I open the remnants compartment. I think I need to get to the back part though. I’ll try what you’re talking about. I appreciate your help :)
No more music please.
This is a very old video. But i can say there's definitely music in newer content. But I've gotten better at editing