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It’s ideal for shredding several items including paper, credit cards, and even DVDs. It can shred 6 sheets of 20lb bond paper at a time. Our first pick is this small paper shredder by Amazon Basics. Whichever type of shredder you have, always buy the oil provided by the manufacturer you purchased the shredder from. You just need to make sure that there’s enough oil available in the machine.
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Some advanced shredders also come with auto-oiling technology, so don’t have to oil it manually. This will ensure that the edges remain sharp for long periods and can provide efficient functionality for many years. In order to keep your paper shredder in good shape and increase its life, you should oil the cutting blades regularly.
#Paper shredders for home use how to#
How to Increase the Life of a Small Paper Shredder I recommend buying one with an auto-reverse function as it reduces the chances of a paper jam. It’s a hassle to remove any item that is stuck inside the mouth unless you have the right device. If you aren’t careful with the amount or size of the sheets placed in the shredder, you can encounter a paper jam. This will keep your hands safe even if the lid is lifted accidentally.Ī common issue with small paper shredders is paper jamming. Also, look for a shredder that turns off automatically when the lid is raised. This feature automatically turns the shredder once the runtime is over. To prevent this situation from ever happening, I suggest purchasing a shredder with an auto on/off feature. If you keep it running past the specified time, it will overheat and possibly damage your machine. Most small shredders designed for home usage can provide a runtime of one to 10 minutes. Be sure to check the runtime of the shredder you purchase. If you’re not careful when using your small paper shredder, it can be dangerous. How to Ensure Safety While Using a Small Paper Shredder You can opt for a larger capacity of up to 10 gallons for more frequent usage. If you plan to put your shredder on top of a desk and only use it occasionally, you can opt for one with a small capacity, like 2 or 3 gallons. Also, choose the bin capacity based on how regularly you will use it. However, if you shred more frequently, you can opt for a larger capacity. If you only use your paper shredder occasionally like me, as low as one page at a time will be sufficient. What you want will depend on the number of items or cards you shred regularly. The sheet capacity is also an important consideration. Do you plan to place it on your desk or on the ground in a corner? Make sure you compare the dimensions to ensure that it fits easily. The first thing you need to consider is the space you have available. I would buy a compact size ideal for home usage as most people don’t need to shred a lot of documents.
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There are a lot of factors that will determine the size of the shredder you buy. How To Choose the Right Size Paper Shredder I recommend this shredder for businesses with highly confidential information.įor more information on which shredder may be best for you, check out this short YouTube video: The security level provided is P-5 or above, so it is ideal for highly sensitive and confidential documents. This is because it shreds paper diagonally from both corners and also in very tiny square-shaped particles that are impossible to read with the naked eye.
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Micro-CutĪ micro-cut shredder is the most secure one of all. I would choose this kind of shredder for my personal use. This type is usually ideal for home usage, as it provides a medium level of security. The level of security provided by a crosscut shredder is between P-3 and P-4. The strips are short and narrow and are not easily readable, making it suitable for shredding sensitive or confidential documents. CrossCutĪ crosscut shredder is more secure than a strip-cut one because it shreds paper diagonally from both corners. This type is ideal for you if you only shred documents of lesser importance. This method is the least secure, providing a security level of only P-1 or P-2. It only strips vertically, so, with a ton of effort, it is possible to place the pieces together.
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Level of Shredding Strip CutĪ strip-cut shredder produces long and narrow strips of paper, cutting up sentences and strings of numbers. This complete guide will provide all the information you need to purchase the right small paper shredder that is suited to your specific needs.
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