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I had the bia and sold it....now I have the rubi and LOVE it...
There are pros and cons to both...the bia can cut chip board...but you have to use the metal coils..I could never get mine to close just right, they would get squished and took a long time to do a large project.and the coils are expensive.
The rubi is more expensive in the beginning, is heavy and large...but it can do a whole sheet of paper at one time...the coils are plastic tons of colors and sooo much cheaper...lets say 1/2" coils are $12 for 100....you can't cut through chip board, but I usually cover cereal boxes with paper and punch through that no problem...I can bind a catty in about 10 mins..it takes more time taking the catty apart. Once you start, you can't stop...I bind everything now...owners manuals , kids projects etc..soo much fun...THe cheapest place I found was laminatorwarhouse....free shipping for the machine..I say go for it....
I have a plastic coil binding machine and a Bind-it-all. I use both, but I mostly use my BIA. You do have to cut a piece of binding wire for the BIA and make some adjustments to the machine so your coils won't be squished. I found that the recommended settings are not quite accurate on my machine. By using some practice pieces of binding wire I was able to set my machine to the correct setting so my coils don't squish. I like the ability to punch through chipboard with the BIA. I usually make my own covers using mat board and even when covered with DP it still punches through with no problems. It really depends on what you want to use most material wise. If you want to use chipboard then the BIA is the one to get. You can also punch holes through cd's as well and they make cute little books. I get my O-wires from Bonnie's Best and they are much cheaper there.
I have the Rubicoil and the BIA. I personally like the BIA better for little books or calendar projects. I think the binding looks more professional.
The BIA is a lot cheaper, plus it's smaller, making it easier to store.
My kids love the Rubicoil to bind their reports and special projects. It gives their school work a finished look.
I have both, and use them for different things. I love being able to punch through heavier chipboard with the BIA and easily see where the holes are going to end up for smaller projects. On the other hand, I wouldn't enjoy the time it would take to punch larger projects. The Rubicoil is perfect for those.
Do you know anyone who has either machine to let you try it out? You might be surprised to find someone on SCS who lives nearby, and is willing to let you play. Good luck! Either one you choose, I'd recommend buying your coils/wires from Bonnie's Best http://www.bonniesbest.com/ for great prices on large quantities and wonderful customer service.
Never owned a BIA---but went through this same debate before purchasing the rubicoil. Like I said never used the BIA before, but would not trade my rubi for anything. It is so easy to use and I like that it can do a whole sheet of paper with one punch. I don't plan on binding anything thicker than covered cereal boxes, so am completely satisfied. I purchased my rubicoil at laminator warehouse and actually called to see if they were running any free shipping deals, because I was going to purchase a large expensive item. They actually gave me free shipping..........worth the call. Good luck with your decision!
I have the rubi-coil and absolutely LOVE it. I've never owned a BIA, but I've never had luck with journals, booklets and the like with wire binding. The wires have always bent on me and have made the pages hard to turn. My personal preference with the rubi is that your booklet, journal etc., lays completely flat when open and the pages never get caught in the coils. As mentioned above, Bonnie's Best has a great selection of coils in many sizes and colors. Good luck with your decision!
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As I read the comparisons, wonder what size of the coil from the BIA is most commonly used with the 4 x 4 coaster chipboards. Does anyone know? Thanks
Janet
It depends on how many pages are in your 4x4 book as to how thick it would be when complete. I usually use 3/4" o-wires on mine. I believe that Zutter, who makes the BIA, has a chart on their site as to what size wires to use with what thickness. I found it. Here ya' go: http://zutterzisters.com/files/Using_Owire.pdf
I have a BIA and rarely use it. When I have, I have had pretty good results. You do need to be careful when you are "squishing" the wire or it will look wonky. I purchased my whole set up from Bonnie's Best and it was a great experience! Good luck with whatever you choose!
I had both and found the BIA easier to use and more versatile than the Rubicoil. I eventually sold the Rubicoil, and still use the BIA.
Also, the BIA will punch thru more materials- the rubicoil was fine for paper and thin chipboard but thicker chipboard and other materials would not fit in the Rubicoil.
Bind it all or Rubicoil?
. I have never had a problem with my books laying flat. They always lay flat and my covers are always nice and even with each other when laying flat as opposed to ones made with the plastic coils- the covers never lay evenly when open flat. That is just the nature of binding with plastic coils 
