Join the discussion on the following article:
Classic Toy Trains Magazine Binder
The binders are of very good quality: sturdy, colorful/decorative and very useful for that BIG collection of old issues. But I percieve one major problem now that your magazine is getting smaller; the number of metal wires to hold each issue in place needs to be increased! I ordered 10 covers, have used all wires and still have 3 covers left without any wires to place magazines in them. I hope this problem gets fixed for the next unsuspecting purchaser.
Owning eleven of these binders, some for more than ten years, is testimony of my preference and their endurance. The magazines are held in place by a thin, 3/32" spring wire and are easily removed and repalced with no damage. The binder’s boards are heavy and the metal work mechanism is sturdy.
NOTE! The following comments refer to home use of this binder, by reasonably responsible people. If commercial use or contact with some of the lower primates is expected, please skip over this section. Notwithstanding, the CTT’s description above, (“holds a full year’s worth”) each binder’s set of slots will easily hold two years (18 issues) of CTT magazine. Since the binders are “rated” to hold one year, only 14 wires are shipped with each binder. This requires a “work-around” on the buyers part to find the extra wires. Brass will work. But, the steel is better. Putting two years in each binder is not only important for economy of shelf space. A binder is five inches wide. Nine issues of CTT (about one inch in thickness) is lost in the big binder. Putting two years in each binder makes it easier to locate the issue that you are looking for. Looking down a row of binders, with two years in each, you are count by “twos” to find the binder that has the year that you want.
This brings up the only real drawback to this binder. Anyone using these is serious about information retrieval. There are no label holders on the binders. I know that there are “paste on” labels. Somehow these seem inappropriate when the printing of the CTT logo is in GOLD LEAF. I will omit the wry humor discussion of using duct tape and magic marker! The metal “spines” of the binders are too thick for the hang on label holders that I have found.
Finally, the binder really deserves a four and one half stars It is not perfect. But so close! Thanks CTT for a great magazine that is worth keeping!
The binders are well-made, sturdy, and nicely detailed. I have three now and have absolutely no problems and I will continue to get more as needed. As far as the number of wires included, I found if you get some of the thinner wire clothes hangers from a drycleaning store, you know, the kind you get when your clothes are returned, just take a pair of wire cutting pliers and snip off the bottom of the hanger to length and it works perfectly. You can add as many as you want inexpensively! Also if you want to label the folders, get a labeling machine at one of the office supply stores. The tape comes in many different base and letter colors. But instead of sticking the tape on the binder, why not put in on the shelf itself in front of the binder. I use Scotch tape over the label instead of sticking the label itself on. Much easier to get off. That way the binder isn’t defaced nor is the shelf.
Great product. 5 stars.
The issue of not enough wires has been mentioned and this is easily solved at your local hobby shop. The wire you need is K&S Music Wire 370-502 .047" thick. 3/32" is too small. For only $2.29 you get four pieces of wire, each three feet long. The wires that come with the binders are one foot long, so you get three pieces out of each wire, so with four pieces of wire in a package, you get twelve one foot pieces for $2.29, or about 20 cents per piece. Problem solved.
The binders are a neat way to organize and store my copies of CTT. They make an attractive presentation of the 12+ years I have been reading about toy trains.My big problem is where to store the binders as I am running out of shelf space in my office. I enjoy reading the magazine each month from cover to cover, but the amount of room I am giving to the binders is a potential problem.
Like others I keep two years’ worth of issues in the binders, and I also have multiple sets of these. They are a very good organizer for the magazines and display nicely. In the past I requested extra wires and did receive them, so I don’t really have any complaints in that area. I also make a neat index using a small post-it note for the years that are in each binder. It’s not duct tape and marker!
Been keeping my issue like new for over five years