Capsule Connection The Capsule Machine "00" Capsule Machine 1 Kit

Ordered this from German retailer. Arrived in post in 4-5 days.After quick perusal of instructions, was abe to make 24 capsules of Suma root in about 5 minutes.Very clever and efficent design: the larger capsule halves are inserted open-end-up in the machine, which is placed on a flat dish. You then put in the amount of powder required for each capsule. There is a tamping component which can be used if it is necessary to compress the powder in the capsules for more filling (quickly compresses all capsules at once). There is a plastic strip provided to scrape off any excess powder. The capsule caps are placed in a counterpart component/lid and these are then pushed together, the completed capsules are then ejected from the lid, and any excess powder can be recovered from the dish and re-used. A very easy to use and worthwhile product, making it possible to prepare capsules using the raw materials at a significant cost saving. Compatible with "00" capsules which need to be purchased seperately.

This is a long review but I've tried to cover all the points I think are relevant.I found this a very straightforward piece of kit to use. I had tried making my own pills up (for a supplement that is sold for adding to a drink but tastes awful) and although I thought I'd got roughly the same amount in each pill, I found that it was both a) very fiddly (I have dexterity issues so that made it even harder), b) the capsules got sticky as they absorbed moisture from my fingers, and c) the pill weights varied by as much as 12mg when I weighed them after making up, although this sounds like very little it makes a big difference when it comes to needing consistent medicine doses.The Pros:1. Consistency - The Capsule Machine allows for a consistent amount of supplement powder in all the capsules.2. Simple - It's straightforward to use straight from the box.3. Maximising capsule content - Using tamping element a couple of times really allows you to maximise the amount you can get in the capsules.4. Flexibility - You don't need to do all 24 capsules, you can choose to do 12, 8, 6 (those would be the easier numbers to do, but no reason why you couldn't fill the number you wanted, you 14 for a weeks supply of 2 caps a day).5. Very little wastage - Any excess powder is easily poured back into the original supplement's packaging.6. Desiccant - The machine also comes with a desiccant bag (refreshable by putting it in the oven for a few hours)to put in with gelatin capsules, before and after making up, to remove the moisture which stops the capsules from going soft/disintegrating. It's a fair size so it does dictate the size of the container you can use. Alternatively, if you use vegetarian capsules (which are more expensive) then they shouldn't be affected by moisture.The cons?:1. Unclear instruction images - The pictures on the instruction leaflet are not very clear. They've obviously been photocopied from a not very clear photocopy, possibly several times. And though the instructions are simple, clear pictures would be a big bonus. I think they've gone for keeping the instructions concise but they could do with expanding on them a little(eg it only says to use the tamping device once, but I found using it 3 times, filling more in between, was beneficial).2. Recommends too much powder - The instructions on the back of the box it says to pour 1&1/2tablespoons of powder on, this would have been far too much for my purposes, which only used 2 teaspoons, it doesn't allow for different powders having a different density taking up less/more space. Also, as you can make up smaller numbers of capsules, this isn't a good guide. So, I would say only put a small amount on to start with (it's easier to add more than it is to try and tamp it with a lot of excess powder on top.3. Slight design issue - There's a little square depression in the centre of the bottom part (the bit you put the long parts in for filling)that traps some of the powder as you're spreading it around to the capsules. This depression serves no discernible purpose that I can see and could easily be done without (I can only imagine it's an artefact of the moulding process).4. Not a machine - Calling it a machine is slightly deceptive, in my opinion. 'Kit' would have been more appropriate as it certainly doesn't fall into my idea of a machine due to the fact that there's no automation or mechanics involved, you have to perform every step. That said, I'd done my research before buying so knew exactly what I was getting, others may not research it the same and end up disappointed at how dependent it is on the user.****Shipping - I didn't realise that it was coming from the US, and as it arrived only 9 days after ordering, I was quite impressed with that (this was at the early end of the estimated delivery which ranged from 3rd to 24th of August - it arrived on 4th). I also thought it was impressive that I'd not paid shipping for it. Then I noticed that the declared value on the customs slip was only £15.95 That meant that I'd paid almost £9 more, presumably for the shipping. I would rather they'd been more transparent about that. They could have charged £15.95 and under delivery stated £9 as it was shipping from the US.It's a useful kit and although it was a relatively expensive initial outlay it will, hopefully, pay for itself quickly - it's all down to whether the supplement works for my fibromyalgia, but at least The Capsule Machine will make it easy for me to find out if it will.I'd definitely recommend it if you're going to be needing to make up capsules for more than a couple of months, if you're using gelatin capsules, if you have a disability that affects your manual dexterity, and/or you need to make up capsules containing a more consistent amount.

Really easy to use, fiddly bit is adding the powder in the right amount so you don't have excess (I don't like to put left overs back into the bag) but if you're happy to pour the excess back or reuse in the next batch then it's even easier.I had no problems with splitting capsules or them not joining and the only time I had two dented capsules was my own fault when I first used the kit and didn't do as instructed. Made making three bottles of tablets quick and far cheaper than buying them ready made. Turmeric capsules are hard to find and cost too much so after another two filings that will have made the kit pay for itself, bonus is also you can have your capsules without the nasty additives shop bought can contain.Now just have to wait and find out if the herbal meds do their bit. Very happy!

This device is simply the easiest piece of apparatus one could use for filling Gel Capsules. It is very strong and sturdy and i guess over a period of time it's high price will pay for its self.I did read somewhere that it takes about 2 minutes to make 24 capsules. I also read somewhere that people that have bought this item were suggesting about 10 minutes as they had to seperate the gel capsules and place them in the holders. I found that it took me, begining to end about 4.5 minutes. However this simply depends on how easy you find it to handle small fidley things.What would you call expensive?My attitude is, the item is small, plastic and the worth doesn't seem to match. However, take a look at the math:1. The Alchemists Apothecary - 200 Clear (size 00)Gelatine Capsules (+ P&P) = £5.652. Costco - 303g Ground Siagon Cinnamon = £1.793. American Vitamin Spot - The Capsule Machine = £24.95 Total Cost - £32.39 (per Capsule = £0.16195)Each cap weighs between 0.6g & 0.7g.The bottle of cinnamon is less than 1/4 used so I'm estimating maybe 900 capsules from 1 x 303g bottle = £ 1.795 purchases of '200 Clear (size 00)Gelatine Capsules'................................................. = £28.251 Capsule filling machine............................................................................. = £24.95 Total Cost...... = £54.99 (per capsule = £0.0611)Holland & Barrett 100 Cinnamon Capsules = £16.95 (per capsule - £0.1695) - (900 Capsules would cost £152.55)So if my calculations are correct, making your own capsules work out at approximately 3 to 1. Well worth the initial cost.However, bare in mind that the costs depend on what you intend filling the gel caps with. I use cinnamon for my diabetes. It helps to regulate blood sugars. (info from HSI - Health Sciences Institute.)Also bare in mind that you will have 100 capsules left after 5 purchases and, If like me, you will be using the machine for years, then the cost per capsule will become cheaper and cheaper.Definately a darned good purchase.