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Paper Shredder Maintenance Tips
The quality of paper shredders continues to get better. The main manufacturers like GBC, Dahle, HSM, Olympia, Fellowes, MBM and Kobra have manufactured machines that run faster, quieter, shred larger volumes with greater effectiveness and with a range of electric features. However, they are still machines and if you ignore them they will break down.
Protect your investment through appropriate maintenance of your paper shredder and considerably add to the life span of the apparatus. Paper shredders require periodic oiling to work at highest efficiency. How often you need to oil the cutting blades will depend on the volume of use (how often the shredder is used and for how long) and the shred size. A cross cut shredder will always need to be oiled more often than a strip cut shredder and should be oiled every ½ hour of shredding time. But a ¼” strip cut shredder that is used only 1 to 2 hours in a week will require to be oiled just once a week. The process is very easy and any operator can do it. Keep cutting blades of your shredder accurately oiled by using the oil directly onto the cutting head through the paper entry space in a fine stream. It should take about 1-2 seconds to oil from one side of the paper throat to the other. Run the paper shredder in reverse direction for about 10-15 seconds, as this will let the oil to spread to all areas of the cutting head. The final step is to shred a few sheets of paper to eliminate any surplus oil.
Shredder oil is the only lubricant that should be used in your paper shredder as it is particularly formulated to evade remainder build up on the cutting blades. Other oils may exert a pull on paper dust that will block the cutting head. You should also frequently check the cutting apparatus and clean out any remainder. Be sure you have the shredder turned off first (unplugged) and visually check. Keep the cabinet neat and free of paper scraps. It’s a good way to purchase shredder bags that are made for proper fit and potency to handle your shredded paper.
Your shredder should come with an instruction booklet. Be sure to save it and refer to it when required. Some manufacturers or dealers may offer a service concurrence (highly suggested for the bigger departmental or industrial shredders). All good paper shredders are backed by some kind of warranty from the producer. A usual warranty will cover basic parts for a year and the cutting heads for up to five years. Lots of companies also offer service facilities to accompany their office shredders. It is very imperative to buy from someone that is highly regarded and stands behind the products he sells. No matter how well maintained you shredder is, it still runs the risk of faults or unpredicted problems. The piece of mind that comes from knowing that the company you bought your shredder will make every attempt to fix or change your shredder if it is broken under warranty is priceless.
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