In short, when I compare a time stamp machine it’s like comparing Apples to Oranges.  Where both items are not alike but fall into the same category.  First of all, I’ll answer a  very basic question…

WHAT IS A TIME STAMP MACHINE?

A time stamp machine is a mechanical or electronic machine that stamps the year, month, date, hours and minutes with the ability to add detailed information such as Received, Filed or Clerk of Courts on engraved die plates.  Used for when you validate legal or specific documents.

Mechanical time stamps, like the Rapidprint Time Stamp ARL-E and the Widmer T-LED-3 time and date stamp, are heavy-duty devices that can stamp hundreds of documents per day. They are made with a durable metal frame, case, and typewheels made of brass or metal, and they are designed to last for at least ten years.

The biggest difference however is the ability for you to add either upper or lower custom-engraved die plates that have specific information imprinted along with the year, month, date, hours and minutes.

THE PROS AND CONS OF THE MECHANICAL RAPIDPRINT TIME STAMP

PROS

• HEAVY-DUTY METAL CASE
• BUILT TO LAST 10+ YEARS
• CONSTRUCTED TO STAMP HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTS DAILY
• EASIER TO REPAIR
• HAS THE ABILITY TO ADD CUSTOM ENGRAVED DIE PLATES-(SEE EXAMPLE)
• LESS EXPENSIVE RIBBON
• PRINTS HORIZONTAL TO EDGE OF DOCUMENT INSERTED
• STAMPS THE TIME FOR CLEARER IMPRINT
• ADJUSTABLE IMPRINT FORCE FOR MULTIPLE COPIES

 

CONS

• MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ELECTRONIC
• HAVE TO CHANGE THE MONTH WHEEL MANUALLY EACH MONTH
• NO BATTERY BACKUP FOR POWER FAILURES TO SET THE TIME AUTOMATICALLY

 

 

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ELECTRONIC DATE AND TIME STAMP MACHINE

The Lathem 1600e, for example, is an electronic date and time stamp machine.  This time and date stamp prints the year, month, date, hours, and minutes along with 13 preset messages if required, such as, FILED, RCVD, and SENT using a small dot matrix printer.

The print is vertical to the document inserted – (SEE EXAMPLE).  It can also be used as a time clock by using time cards by employees for attendance keeping.

 

THE PROS AND CONS OF AN ELECTRONIC DATE AND TIME STAMP MACHINE

PROS

• LESS EXPENSIVE THAN MECHANICAL
• BATTERY BACKUP FOR POWER FAILURES TO RESET TIME AUTOMATICALLY
• CHANGES MONTH AND YEAR AUTOMATICALLY
• EASY TO INSTALL CARTRIDGE RIBBON
• SMALL, LIGHT AND QUIET OPERATION
• SET IT AND FORGET ABOUT IT

 

CONS

• PLASTIC CASE AND PARTS
• LIGHT DUTY USAGE
• LIMITED LIFE
• NO ABILITY TO ADD CUSTOMIZED ENGRAVED DIE PLATE INFORMATION
• PRINTS VERTICAL TO DOCUMENT INSERTED
• NOT COST JUSTIFIED TO REPAIR- CONSIDERED A THROW-AWAY RATHER THAN REPAIRING
• NOT A VERY DARK IMPRINT
• DOES NOT STAMP THE TIME- IT USES A SMALL DOT MATRIX PRINTER (SEE EXAMPLE)

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TO SUM UP

Whether mechanical or electronic, a time stamp machine serves its intended purpose well.  For heavy duty use as in the Clerk of Courts Records Department, with upper and lower die plate information required, the Rapidprint Time Stamp ARL-E with digital display or the Widmer T-LED-3 would be your smartest choice.

These heavy duty time and date stamp machines are manufactured to last and be repaired.  So before you discard your 10-year-old Rapidprint Time Stamp and spend $700 + on a new machine, just because it’s not keeping time.  Get an estimate of repair here at National Time Stamp and save yourself hundreds of dollars on a new replacement.  Our repair service is only $49.99 + Parts which includes Free return shipping or browse our discounted new time and date stamps.

 

 

 

 

 

I hope this information helps in your decision process.  Questions, Comments and Reviews are always welcome.

Thanks for reading…