| Shredders
Maintenance
Concerns
Your basic commercial office shredder is designed to last seven
to ten years. Ongoing maintenance of these units typically includes
oiling the cutting assembly to reduce friction, removing dust that
builds up in the blades, and replacing bags as they fill. It is
also important that the shredder not be continually used at its
maximum paper capacity.
Personal models
are really not designed to be repaired. If a model breaks down while
under warranty, the manufacturer will usually send a replacement
model rather than pick it up for repair. To minimize the likelihood
of breakdown, it's important that the shredder not be used for more
than 10-15 minutes at a time and that the recommended paper capacity
not be exceeded.
Special Tips
Dealer or Superstore?
Office equipment dealers that specialize in the sale of shredders
provide the best selection of models and are the only choice for
office-grade units. However, if you are simply looking for a shredder
for infrequent personal use, an office superstore's offerings should
be fine.
Time to Take
out the Trash
A bin full indicator, which alerts you when a bag is full of shreds,
can be a very useful feature, particularly for shredders that are
housed in a cabinet. Overflowing bags of shredded paper are one
of the most common causes of paper jams.
It's Better
to be Safe Than Sorry
Watch out for dangling objects, like neckties, that can accidentally
feed into a shredder when it is in use. For safety reasons, the
on/off switch should be in easy reach of the user. Also, if children
are in the office, look for one where fingers can't reach the blades.
Lowering the
Cost of Consumables
Replacement bags can be purchased from the shredder manufacturer.
However this can be very costly, with prices often more than $0.50
per bag. A better alternative is to contact a plastic bag manufacturer
and order bags with similar dimensions.
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