A binder clip is a metal thingy you can use over and over to hold papers together as a temp solution.
It's made of:
* A metal clamp thing (usually black)
* Two wire handles you can fold down or take off
⚙️ How It Does Its Thing
The metal part is a single, bendy piece shaped like a triangle.
The handles fit into loops on the sides.
When you squeeze the handles, it opens up.
Let go, and it clamps down tight.
📏 Normal Sizes
Binder clips come in sizes like:
* Mini: About 3/8 inch wide (holds 12–20 sheets)
* Small: About 5/8 inch wide (holds around 40 sheets)
* Medium: About 3/4 inch wide (holds about 75 sheets)
* Large: About 1 inch wide (holds 100 sheets)
* Extra Large: 1.25 inches or bigger (holds 150+ sheets)
🧩 What It's Made Of
* Body: Metal, often painted black or another color.
* Handles: Metal wire.
Some cheaper ones might use steel that was recycled.
🧰 What You Can Use It For
Binder clips are good for more than just holding papers:
* Grouping papers
* Keeping cables tidy (clip to your desk and run cables through the handles)
* Closing bags (like snack bags)
* Holding your place in a book
* Hanging stuff (use a pin or hook)
* Making a phone stand
* Keeping fabric together
🧽 How to Keep It Working
* How long it lasts: Years! You can take the handles off if you want.
* Cleaning: Wipe it with a damp cloth.
* Rust: Keep it dry.
♻️ How It Affects the Planet
* Mostly made of metal, so you can recycle it.
* The paint might need to be removed for recycling.
* You can reuse it a bunch, so you don't need staples.
🧠 Cool Facts
* Made way back in 1910.
* Made to be a better way to hold papers than using staples.
* The triangle shape makes sure it squeezes evenly.
* The handles that fold down came later to make it smaller.
⚖️ How It Stacks Up
| What It Is | Binder Clip | Paper Clip | Staple |
| :--------------- | :---------- | :--------- | :----- |
| Can Reuse It | Yes | Yes | No |
| Holds Lots | Yes | No | Maybe |
| Doesn't Hurt | Yes | Yes | No |
| Easy to Remove | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cheap over Time | Yes | Yes | Kinda |
It's made of:
* A metal clamp thing (usually black)
* Two wire handles you can fold down or take off
⚙️ How It Does Its Thing
The metal part is a single, bendy piece shaped like a triangle.
The handles fit into loops on the sides.
When you squeeze the handles, it opens up.
Let go, and it clamps down tight.
📏 Normal Sizes
Binder clips come in sizes like:
* Mini: About 3/8 inch wide (holds 12–20 sheets)
* Small: About 5/8 inch wide (holds around 40 sheets)
* Medium: About 3/4 inch wide (holds about 75 sheets)
* Large: About 1 inch wide (holds 100 sheets)
* Extra Large: 1.25 inches or bigger (holds 150+ sheets)
🧩 What It's Made Of
* Body: Metal, often painted black or another color.
* Handles: Metal wire.
Some cheaper ones might use steel that was recycled.
🧰 What You Can Use It For
Binder clips are good for more than just holding papers:
* Grouping papers
* Keeping cables tidy (clip to your desk and run cables through the handles)
* Closing bags (like snack bags)
* Holding your place in a book
* Hanging stuff (use a pin or hook)
* Making a phone stand
* Keeping fabric together
🧽 How to Keep It Working
* How long it lasts: Years! You can take the handles off if you want.
* Cleaning: Wipe it with a damp cloth.
* Rust: Keep it dry.
♻️ How It Affects the Planet
* Mostly made of metal, so you can recycle it.
* The paint might need to be removed for recycling.
* You can reuse it a bunch, so you don't need staples.
🧠 Cool Facts
* Made way back in 1910.
* Made to be a better way to hold papers than using staples.
* The triangle shape makes sure it squeezes evenly.
* The handles that fold down came later to make it smaller.
⚖️ How It Stacks Up
| What It Is | Binder Clip | Paper Clip | Staple |
| :--------------- | :---------- | :--------- | :----- |
| Can Reuse It | Yes | Yes | No |
| Holds Lots | Yes | No | Maybe |
| Doesn't Hurt | Yes | Yes | No |
| Easy to Remove | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cheap over Time | Yes | Yes | Kinda |