Trimming Harris Album Pages

Has anybody tried trimming Harris Album pages and punching them to fit a three D ring binder? If you have tried it. Do you have any advice as I am considering doing this. The pages are 9x12 now and I'll be trimming them to 81/2 x 11 inches. A standard size.

I tried that with less than satisfactory results. My initial objective was to modify the Harris pages to fit into Vario binders. The hole punching was not a problem. Just make sure you have the holes properly lined up before punching. I found it best to punch your holes before cutting the pages.
The trimming was problematic. I bought a 12" page cutter from Staples for about $30-$40. It was sufficient. I ran into problems by rushing and trying to cut too many pages at a time.

It may be best to leave the pages alone and buy Harris binders on ebay.

Hope this helps,
Jack Kelley

Jack thanks for your reply but one thing I am wondering is how can you punch the holes before trimming? The pages won't fit into the punch because.The Harris pages are 12 inches high and a page paper punch is made to punch holes in a sheet 11 1/2 inches tall. You have to trim the pages before you can punch the holes.I already have a good sheet trimmer. What I am wanting to do is convert the two post screw album into a three post D ring lay flat binder. Like my American Heirloom Binders are. Also I want to go from a one volume Harris binder to a two volume. I have expanded my American Heirloom Binders from the three original volumes set to five and am going to expand it to seven volumes soon.

I think a 9x12 page might actually fit into a 3 ring binder. It will be really close to the edges. The punching could be an issue however.

TinMan and Andy,

I found it best to punch the holes before cutting because I could more accurately center the page. You could reverse the process, I suppose.

As to the 9" X 12" fitting into a three ringed binder, your observation may be correct, Andy. But 9 X 12 is too large for the Vario binders, especially when you put the book into the slipcase. I tried it. That when I decided to go and re-do everything using the Premium Mystic Heirloom. You were a BIG influence on my decision, Andy. That's why I have my Harris binders on ebay right now. I am very, very happy with the Mystic Premium Heirloom.

Jack Kelley

Premium binders or Premium Hingeless album?

I have the Heirloom Premium; not the Premium Hingeless. I'm using Showguard Mounts which I like better than the clear mounts used on the Premium Hingeless. I have seven binders and slipcovers so far. At first, I started to find limitations, as you did. But then I stumbled onto your Hack site. A lifesaver. Thank you so, so much. Would you mind if I started a new topic to inform others of the Mystic Hack option? It really opened doors for me.

Jack Kelley
Retired Cub and Scoutmaster

Lighthouse has Grande binders, inthink thats what they are called, that should fit Harris pages.

Also you can buy hole punches tha are adjustable, though they cost about $40-$50 and are hard to find.

Jack are the two Binders you have listed for $18 on ebay two post or three? I assume all Harris Binders are two posts.

Hi TinMan,

Punching 3 holes is easy if you use a single hole punch. You should be able to get one from a crafts supplier quite cheaply. I use one for punching the 2 hole pages I make for my Frank Godden albums. All you need to do is mark out exactly where you need to punch the holes. I do this by aligning a Frank Godden page on top of mine and tracing little circles through the holes onto my paper. Works just fine.

Terry

TinMan,

They are the vintage two hole binders. I have about eight of them. All virtually brand new. At one time, I thought about converting them into three hole-ers using a one hole punch like Terry suggests. If you are interested, we should probably continue the discussion outside this venue.

Jack Kelley

There's already a thread on the Mystic page hacks. I haven't done a page hack in a while, so I'm sure it's fallen back a few pages.

TinMan,

I read somewhere on one of the threads that you were looking for some Showguard Mounts. I am switching from Harris Liberty to Mystic Heirloom. As you know, Mystic only requires blocks. Hence, I have some extra Showguards that I can send to you (free). If you are interested, please contact me at jkelley01938ATyahoo.com and I will send them to you.

Jack Kelley

TinMan,

I read somewhere on one of the threads that you were looking for some Showguard Mounts. I am switching from Harris Liberty to Mystic Heirloom. As you know, Mystic only requires blocks. Hence, I have some extra Showguards that I can send to you (free). If you are interested, please contact me at jkelley01938ATyahoo.com so I'll know where to send them.

Jack Kelley

Jack I have tried repeatedly to email you and you do not accept emails through SCF and the email address you have sent above comes back as unvalid and I have tried to guess your address and that didn't work either. Pleases send me P.M. your correct email address.

I am happy to announce Trimming the pages was a success. I only had to trim the top and bottom of the pages. I trimmed them equally to get them to fit in a three hole office punch that I already had using an office page cutter that I also have. I never would have tried this task using a single hole punch like Terry pictured above which I do have a couple of. I was able to save all of the page borders by trimming the page equally at the top and the bottom of the page to fit in an office three hole paper punch which I also have. The binders cost me under $5 each from Walmart's. If anyone is wanting to do this I will be happy to give them some advice that I learned.