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Sato Nor Gun/Label Identification

Sato Nor pricing guns have two different models, the 2/9 and the 3/9. Out of these two, both models can be designed to take two different sized labels: Nor B and Nor D. This short guide will help you tell the difference between the two.

2/9 Labels with their distinct castellated shape Castellated Nor Labels

Label Type

Nor labels are easily identified by their castellated shape. When looking at the labels on the reel, the side edges will look like the top of a castle’s walls.

To find which size label you have (B or D), measure the full width and height of the label at the widest point. Make sure to include the tabs in your measurements.

2_9 B reel
Nor B reel
    • Nor B labels are 25mm x 14mm. They come on a yellow reel with 1250 labels.
2_9 D reel
Nor D reel
  • Nor D labels are 24mm x 11mm. They come on a purple reel with 1500 labels.

Gun Model

Nor guns come in two models, the current 3/9 model, and the older 2/9 model. The 2/9 has been discontinued since 2009 so if you’re still using one you must look after it well.

Nor 2/9 Price GunNor 2/9 Price Gun

2/9

The 2/9 model should have a large plastic sticker on the top, usually blue with red writing reading NOR Systems 2/9.

If this is missing the machine is identified by the following features:

The gun has a large black wheel on the side to alter the print. This is done by either turning the wheel, or pressing it into the body of the gun and turning the wheel. The print characters are usually covered by a piece of clear plastic, though this can be removed. The characters themselves are usually black text on white plastic bands.

Waste backing paper from the gun is ejected from the rear of the gun above the handle, which has no guard.

The ink is a flat sponge pad in a plastic tray which slides inside the gun after opening it up.

2/9 D Machine

The 2/9 model takes D labels if the interior parts are black.

2/9 B Machine

The 2/9 model takes B labels if the interior parts are red/white.

Nor 3/9 Price GunNor 3/9 Price Gun

3/9

The 3/9 model should have a circular plastic sticker on the side, usually black with silver writing reading NOR 3/9.

If this is missing, the machine is identified by the following features:

There’s no tapered nose like the 2/9. The gun has a small black wheel on the side which is pulled out to change which band you are altering. The print characters are not covered by plastic.

Waste backing paper from the gun is ejected from the bottom of the gun below the handle which has a guard.

The ink is a sponge cylinder on a plastic reel which slides into a small hole at the side of the gun.

3/9 D Machine

The 3/9 model takes D labels if the dust cover is black.

3/9 B Machine

The 3/9 model takes B labels if the dust cover is red.

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Kendo 26 Price Gun Review

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Summary

Manufactured by Sato, this price gun is light and well made, but don’t let the low cost trick you into thinking it’s low quality.

As far as we’re concerned, this is the price gun which all budget label gun manufacturers try to beat, but none ever really do.

Here’s why.


Build Quality

The Kendo is a model which has been created building on 50 years of experience in making hand labellers. It’s light plastic design makes it easy to use, but resilient to being knocked around in normal use.

It features a label feed system using cuts in the backing paper between each label. The label feed rarely fails once loaded correctly.

With a wide open channel to feed the labels through, loading the machine is relatively easy. There’s a clever plastic flap that prevents the labels from being fed into the wrong part of the gun when opened, that secures them in place when closed.

There’s also an intuitive plastic tab that prevents the reel from dropping off the spool when you tip the gun whilst loading.

The ink replacement system is quick and clean, requiring a single lever to be pressed and the ink drops out without needing to handle. This is very fast and clean, unlike handling other label gun inks and staining your fingers.

The print heads are simple to adjust, just two screws on the side. There’s even handy markers to help you align the print head accurately without having to guess.

Band Layouts
Band Layouts


Band Layouts

This model features two popular layouts, a six digit version or an eight digit version. The six digit band characters are larger, but can only show prices up to £99.99 or dates in short format 010416. The eight digit layout allows for prices up to £999.99p and can show either full dates 01042016 or easier to read short dates 01 04 16.

As this is a Sato machine, customised layouts are available, though they will incur a higher price they can be as many as ten digits long. This allows for long batch numbers or other information. There’s far more customisation in the bands than can be easily shown here, so contact a merchant for more advice on customising the bands.

Alternate Layout

An alternate model is specifically made for dating, and prints the month in three letters along with the day and year. An attractive alternative if you are only going to be printing dates. You can see an example of this below.


Print Examples

kendo 26 ct4 example 1

To the right you can see an example of the 8 digit gun printing a price on the popular “wavy edge” 26x12mm label.

kendo 26 ct4 example 2

The text is clear and easy to read without being too sharp.

The next label is the same as the above, but using the 6 digit gun instead.

kendo 26 ct4 example 3

The third image is the alternate layout date gun as mentioned above, printed on a rectangular 26x12mm label instead.


Summary

What we like

  • Light yet resilient polycarbonate body.
  • Easy to adjust printhead.
  • Quick and clean ink replacement.
  • Clever quality of life features for simple everyday use
  • Uses the popular 26x12mm label, either rectangular or “wavy”.
  • Lots of alternative band layouts available on request.

What we didn’t like

  • You can’t see the label poking out the front of the label gun so it’s hard to place correctly without practice.
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Judo 26 Food Labelling Gun Review

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Summary

Manufactured by Sato, this gun uses the popular and reliable Judo model. A tried and tested build design, ink and label loading makes little changes from the other Judo models we already know and promote as one of our best sellers.

Band Layouts


Band Layouts

This label gun has a couple of unique lines. The top band can show any one of pre-set phrases: DEFROSTED, READY, USE BY, OPENED, BAKED, REFRIGERATED, DISCARD, DECANTED, MANU DATE, PULL, COOKED, FROZEN, DISPLAY.

The bottom line can show a date (with or without a time) a metric weight or a price.

Alternate Layout

An alternate model replaces the top row with another set of characters, identical to the bottom row. This is good if you need to show two different sets of data, such as a date/time on the top and a price on the bottom, but you would need a pre-printed label to show what the date/time means e.g. “Best Before”


Print Examples

Print Example

To the right you can see an example of the gun printing a Defrosted date and time.

The text is clear and contains a lot of data. It shows the date, am or pm and an exact time, to be as accurate as possible and reduce the chance for misreading.

Below is a Use By date. Note how the dots have to be displayed when printing a full date.

Print Example

Both labels featured here are part of the Date Right labels range.


Summary

What we like

  • Made with food labelling in mind.
  • Top band phrases allow for many applications, saving money on buying different pre-printed labels.
  • Being able to show a time with a date on a single line.
  • Looks great with Date Right labels.

What we didn’t like

  • Lack of “Best Before” on the top band
  • Weight labelling seems like an afterthought