FAQ

Shredder Basics

What is a strip cut shredder?
What is a cross cut shredder?
What is a micro cut shredder?
Which do I need: strip cut, cross cut, or micro cut?
What does throat width mean?
What does the number of sheets mean?
What does shred speed mean?
What does shred size mean?
My documents have paper clips or staples. Do I need to remove them first?
I need to be able to shred CDs, CD-Rs, DVDs, etc.
What does sound level mean?
What is the difference between intermittent and continuous duty?
Should I get a shredder that has a bin or one that uses bags?
How large a bag/bin capacity do I need?
How do I oil the cutters of my shredder?
Can a paper shredder be plugged into an extension cord?
What does thermal overload protection or cool down cycle mean?

Shredder Types

What are personal paper shredders?
What are office paper shredders?
What are production paper shredders?
What are high security paper shredders?

Technical tips

-Why did my personal or office shredder suddenly stop while shredding?

- Why does my shredder operate in reverse only?

-The shredder motor is running but the cutting cylinders are not turning.

-Paper is collecting underneath my cross cut shredder...

How will you protect my privacy ?

What is a strip cut shredder?

Strip cut shredders cut your documents into long narrow strips. They are generally less expensive and have higher capacity than an equivalent cross cut machine. The cutting heads on a strip cut shredder are less complex, making for fewer jams and longer life. Strip cut shredders also handle more sheets of paper at a time than an equivalent cross cut shredder. As a bonus, the resulting strips can be used for packing material.
What is a cross cut shredder?

A cross cut shredder cuts your documents into small rectangular pieces called "chips". Cross cut shredders are more secure than a strip cut. The size of the chips determines the security level of the shredder. Due to the small size of the chips, the shred bin will hold much more - up to five times as much. This translates into fewer trips to dump the shredded paper.
What is a micro cut shredder?

A micro cut shredder is a cross cut shredder that cuts your documents into extremely small pieces. These are the highest security shredders, for those who have high risk data.
Which do I need: strip cut, cross cut, or micro cut?

That depends on the material being shredded. As a general rule:
- A strip cut shredder is good for ordinary business or personal documents: Invoices, packing slips, customer lists, vendor orders, and personal notes. You should use a strip cut shredder for anything that might be subject to casual curiosity or low-level snooping.
- A cross cut shredder is good for sensitive documents: Ledgers, bank statements, credit card statements, critical business reports, salary reports, and personnel records. You should use a cross cut shredder for anything that could be of value to a criminal or to your competitor.
- A micro cut shredder is good for extremely sensitive documents: Business and trade secrets, sensitive customer data or new product designs. You should use a micro-cut shredder for anything that is extremely valuable.
If you buy only one shredder, it should be purchased with your most valuable documents in mind.
What does throat width mean?

Throat width is the width of the slot that accepts the pages to be shredded. The throat width should be slightly larger than the narrow dimension of the paper to be shredded. For example, if you have letter, legal, or A4 sized pages, the throat width should be 9-10 inches. Larger sheets can be shredded by folding them before inserting into the shredder. This should be avoided for all but exceptional cases, since folding is time-consuming and much more likely to result in a jam.
What does the number of sheets mean?

The number of sheets of 80gsm paper that the shredder can accept at one time. Heavier paper, folded sheets, envelopes, etc. will reduce this number. We recommend that you shred a maximum of 2 - 3 sheets less than the listed maximum for any shredder. This will significantly extend the shredder's life expectancy.
What does shred speed mean?

The speed at which the shredder pulls paper through the cutting heads. Combined with the number of sheets, this will give you the maximum capacity of the shredder in sheets per minute.
What does shred size mean?

Shred size mean the size the paper is cut to once it is shredded. The smaller the shred size the higher the security of the shredded paper.
Security level 1 cut
Security level 2 cut
Security level 3 cut
Security level 4 cut
Security level 5 cut
Security level 6 cut
My documents have paper clips or staples. Do I need to remove them first?

Most shredders today will handle staples. The better shredders will also accept paper clips without damage. If your shredder does not, you must be certain to remove all paper clips before shredding. Mechanical bindings must also be removed. Click here for Shredders which accept paper clips.
I need to be able to shred CDs, CD-Rs, DVDs, etc.

Some shredders can safely shred CDs. If this is a concern, check the specifications or contact us for a recommendation,or click here :CD-Shredders
What does sound level mean?

All shredders make noise. The sound level given in the charts indicates how much noise a given shredder will produce. 73 db is considered the maximum for office use. Lower numbers indicate a machine that will produce less noise.
What is the difference between intermittent and continuous duty?

Intermittent duty motors are rated for occasional use only. Use of these shredders for more than a few minutes at a time will cause the motor to overheat. An overheated motor may shut down to protect the shredder from damage. Repeated overheating will shorten the shredder's life at the very least, and may cause it to fail. If your shredder overheats, let it cool down for at least 30 minutes before attempting to use it again.
Should I get a shredder that has a bin or one that uses bags?

Bags are easier to close up and carry. Bins do not have any recurring cost, but they may spread paper waste around the office while being emptied. Most shredders today are set up to use bags. Find Shredders bags on HERE !
How large a bag/bin capacity do I need?

The larger the bag or bin, the more documents you can shred before making a trip to the dumpster. The increase in productivity is significant when measured over the life of the shredder.
What are personal paper shredders?

Personal shredders are designed for occasional use by a single person. Most are designed to fit in a small space next to a desk. They are very convenient, but they are not designed for continuous or heavy use. The shred bin is usually about the size of an office trash can.
What are office paper shredders?

Office shredders are larger than personal shredders. They are designed to handle the needs of several people in a small company or department. Office shredders have a more powerful motor that is rated for continuous duty. They also run faster and can handle more sheets of paper at a time. Office shredders should be centrally located if everyone in the office will be using the machine.
What are production paper shredders?

Production shredders are larger than office or personal shredders. They are designed to handle the needs of a medium or large company. Production shredders have much larger motors and a wide throat for handling oversize documents. They are often located in a warehouse, loading dock, or similar area.
What are high security paper shredders?

High security (or micro cut) shredders cut the paper into very tiny pieces. They are appropriate where the highest security is needed.
Why shouldn't I just buy an inexpensive shredder?

The most common error that we have seen is buying a shredder that's too small for the job. Doing this usually results in far more wasted time and money than might be saved on the original price of the shredder. We suggest that you evaluate your needs before buying. Here's what will happen if you buy an inadequate shredder:
- Employees spend more time waiting for the shredder to finish. The loss of productivity is often worth several hundred pounds a year.
- The shredder will jam up more often, as impatient employees try to put in too many pages at a time, or try to put in more pages before the current load is finished.
- The shredder will break down more often. This causes lost productivity as well as the cost of repairs or replacement.
- Overloaded shredders will often fail to completely shred documents. Your most important documents may end up in the trash in readable condition without anyone noticing.
- Critical documents that should have been destroyed may be just thrown away, because the shredder was too slow or not working at the time. Isn't this why you're going to buy a shredder in the first place?
What do I need to know to buy a shredder?
- What will you be shredding? What size paper? Do you need to shred CDs/DVDs?
- How much material will you be shredding? It's always a good idea to buy some extra capacity, since you will have this shredder for several years and your company will probably grow in that time.
- What security level are the most sensitive documents that you will need to shred?
Should I buy just one shredder for everyone to use?

Depending on the size of your company this is often an excellent choice. Here are some factors to consider:
- For a single shredder, you will need to find a location that is convenient for everyone, or provide shred bins to all employees that are then emptied by one person.
- Will one person be responsible for operating the shredder, or will you have everyone shred their own waste? If one person at your company is responsible for shredding all documents, remember that that person will be able to see all of your confidential data. If everyone shreds their own, this will probably take more time away from their real work.
- While individual shredders are convenient, they can also be noisy enough to disrupt the work of others nearby. A single shredder can be placed in a separate room where noise will not be a problem.
- Different departments may require different levels of security. A single shredder needs to adequately protect the most valuable documents that must be destroyed. Security consideratins may require that some individuals or departments have their own shredder.
What maintenance does a shredder need?
- Replace the bags when they get full. Keep a supply of the proper size shredder bags on hand, near or in the shredder cabinet.
- Oil the cutting head frequently. This will keep your shredder running at full speed. See your instruction manual for how and when to oil.
- Clean off the paper dust that may build up on top of the machine and in the throat.
Are shredders safe?

Any piece of machinery should be treated with respect. While shredders have been known to attempt to shred loose clothing, we have never heard of any injuries from the normal use of a shredder. To avoid any potential problems, use care when wearing ties, jackets, or anything else that may fall into the shredder's throat. Personal shredders should be turned off when not in use. Don't place a shredder where items can easily fall into the throat, or where liquids can be spilled into the machine. Have any employees who may be operating the shredder read the safety section of your shredder manual.
Can a paper shredder be plugged into an extension cord?

When plugging into an extension cord, be sure that all products plugged into the extension cord do not exceed the extension cord ampere rating.
br> Always place the power cord in an easily accessible position; because it is the main disconnect switch.

How do I oil the cutters of my shredder?

All cross cut and confetti cut paper shredders require regular (monthly or more often) oiling of the cutting blades to maintain proper operation. Failure to oil the blades regularly could result in reduced sheet capacity performance, excessive noise during operation, paper jams and possibly shredder failure. (Strip or straight cut shredders do not require oiling.)

We recommend using :
Shredder Lubrication Sachets’One-A-Month’ –Prolongs the life of your shredder These new ’clean & easy’ Shredder Lubrication Sachets from Swordﬁsh are suitable for use with all brands of paper shredders and should be fed into the machine just like any other document. The special oil inside the sachets will evenly moisturise the cutting heads. Using the sachets once a month will ensure your shredder maintains a clean cut and help prevent paper clogging. FEATURES • 1 Year Pack with 12 Sachets • Perfect cutter lubrication • For use with all types of shredders
Caution: Never use flammable synthetic oil, petroleum-based, or aerosol lubricants to oil the cutting blades. Some agents may combust, causing serious injury. NEVER USE WD40 or similar products.

To oil the cutting blades:

1. From the top of the shredder, squeeze the recommended lubricant across the full width of the blades.
2. (Ensure the wastebasket is empty) Move the power switch to Reverse (R) position and allow it to run for a least five seconds.

What does thermal overload protection or cool down cycle mean?

Paper shredders are protected with a special safety feature, which prevents the motor from overheating with extensive use. When shredding is attempted beyond the machine's maximum running time, the shredder will automatically shut off its motor until is has cooled to an acceptable operating level. This is normal and the shredder will return to operation after the cool-down period.

Why does my shredder operate in reverse only?

1. If you have a mechanical auto start shredder (there is a physical switch that can be seen at the centre of the mouth of the shredder), a small piece of paper may be blocking the auto start sensor. Move the power switch to the off (O) position and unplug the shredder. Turn shredder over and use a toothpick (from the underside of the shredder) to clear the paper blockage at the auto start sensor (centre) location.
2. If the solutions above did not work, please contact your nearest Fellowes office for information and a trained representative will be happy to troubleshoot this problem further or explain your in-warranty and out-of-warranty options.

The shredder motor is running but the cutting cylinders are not turning.

When the motor runs, look to see if the cutters are turning. The cutters can be seen by looking into the mouth of the shredder. If they are not turning it could mean that the gears have been stripped. Please contact your nearest Fellowes office and a trained representative will be happy to troubleshoot this problem further or explain to you your in-warranty and out-of-warranty options.

Paper is collecting underneath my cross cut shredder...

This usually occurs because the shredder is not being oiled regularly enough. All cross cut shredders need to be oiled regularly (monthly or more often). Follow the instructions below to fix this problem.

1.  Empty the wastebasket
2.  Clear any jammed paper, if there is any.
3.  Oil the cutters following these directions:

We recommend using only Powershred Lubricant (order number 35250) or a vegetable-based oil in a non-aerosol container with an extension nozzle. Caution: Never use flammable synthetic oil, petroleum-based, or aerosol lubricants to oil the cutting blades. Some agents may combust, causing serious injury. NEVER USE WD40 or similar products.

To oil the cutting blades:

1.  From the top of the shredder, squeeze the recommended lubricant across the full width of the blades.
2.  (Ensure the wastebasket is empty) Move the power switch to Reverse (R) position and allow it to run for a least five seconds.

Why did my personal or office shredder suddenly stop while shredding?

There are several reasons this may have occurred. Review these troubleshooting options:

1.  The shredder has exceeded the maximum continuous run time and requires a "cool-down" time. Wait 30-60 minutes to allow the shredder to cool off and try to shred again. (The shredder may cool down sooner and begin to work again.)
2.  The shredder is jammed. To clear a jam follow these steps:

a) Move the power switch to the reverse (R) position. (If the wastebasket is full, empty it before clearing the jam.) The shredder will reverse the paper to clear the jam.

b) If the shredder jams in reverse, move the power switch to auto (I) and allow to run for about five seconds. If jam does not clear, move power switch to reverse (R) again and allow to run for about five seconds. Repeat this procedure until the jam is cleared. If necessary, use care to grasp the paper at the top of the shredder and pull out to clear the jam.

3.  3) If there is a separate power supply to the shredder, there are two possibilities to check:

a) After the shredder has been plugged in for at least 15 minutes, touch the power supply to see if it is warm or cold. If the power supply is cold, this normally indicates that the power supply has failed. Please contact your nearest Fellowes office for information.
b) If the power supply is warm, there may be another problem with the shredder. If the solutions above have not solved the problem, please your nearest Fellowes office and a trained representative will be happy to explain to you your in-warranty and out-of-warranty options.
4.  4) If the solutions above did not solve the problem, please call your nearest Fellowes office and a trained representative will be happy to troubleshoot this problem further or explain your in-warranty and out-of-warranty options.

Privacy

The shredderstoreuk.co.uk website adheres to all relevant UK and EU rules for data protection. Names, addresses and contact details will only be used for the internal purposes of Shredder Store UK, to allow us to efficiently handle your orders. No information collected on the shredderstoreuk.co.uk website will be sold or passed on to any third party. All credit and debit card are handled exclusively with Protx.

Warning:

Some of our customers use "canned air" to clean the paper dust and debris out of their shredders. While this is normally a good idea, we have found that some manufacturers use flammable gases in their "canned air" product. Please read the label of such products careful and do not use any such product containing butane, propane, or other flammable gases to clean your shredder. Serious injury and property damage can result from the use of flammable gases around a paper shredder.