I bought this machine for occassional use, which I think is how most people outside of business use them. It works well and I'm really happy with it. I've done about 6 documents of various sizes so far and it has done a really nice job. For the amount of use it will get, I certainly don't need anything more than this machine.
I don't intend to punch 12 sheets of 80gsm paper regularly but it did manage it. I know that my partner would have struggled to push the handle down, but it can do it. Normally I would aim to do around half that or less - it is a maximum afterall - because it is much easier and better for the machine. Pull the handle down to punch holes, push the handle back to open the combs.
It comes with 100x 10mm binding combs plus instructions. The combs are the perfect size for me as they will hold around 40 to 50 pages as a maximum but most of the things I'll use it for will be far less than that. It can take much bigger combs if needed. I punched the holes and read the instructions about how to bind the document ... but that didn't really help. Online videos show exactly what you need to do. Basically put the comb on the machine (open side up) and push the handle forward to open and stretch out the comb. You don't need to puch it all the way, just enough that it opens the comb and gives you a place to hook your pages on. Then hook your pages over the end of the comb. Once your pages are on (can be a bit fiddly) then pull the handle back to close the comb. Done!
I did not buy plastic covers but instead laminated the cover of each document and punched holes in it. Worked well and I will do it that way in the future. I used some A4 card to provide a strong back cover but you could laminate the back as well.
It was very easy to put together. The size guide is good, it screws in place and won't move unless you want it to. The switch for choosing between a 3, 4 or 5mm margin is at the rear of the machine, just above the tray that captures the waste from