Your paper shredder is an important investment that protects your company s image and privacy. But it s also a machine and like any other piece of office equipment, it needs to be regularly maintained so it will be a working part of your office for a long time to come. One of the best things you can do to maintain your paper shredder is to regularly oil it. This prevents paper dust from building up in your shredder, which can both dull the blades and reduce the machine s efficiency. Also, oiling often needs to be done to protect your warranty. But don t worry oiling your shredder isn t hard and you don t need any fancy or expensive equipment to do it. Read on to find out how often you should oil your shredder and how exactly to go about it.
As a rule of thumb, you should oil your paper shredder every time the wastebasket is emptied. Obviously, if you don t use your shredder very often, you ll need to oil it less often. (And if you use it more, you ll have to oil it more often, of course.) Other factors to consider in determining when to possibly oil your shredder include the type and amount of paper being shredded, as well as if the shredding occurs continuously or intermittently. (For example, a high security shredder or one being used non stop should be oiled every 10 to 15 minutes.) Also, cross cut shredders need to be oiled more often than strip cut machines. If you re unsure of when your machine should be oiled, you can consult your machine s instruction manual to see how often the manufacturer recommends it.
Specially designed paper shredder oils are available from paper shredder manufacturers such as Fellowes, GBC, and MBM. Alternatively, vegetable oil can sometimes be used to lubricate your shredder, depending on the machine s manufacturer. If you choose to use this type of oil, be sure to use one that won t spoil and has a flash point of over 450 degrees. Also, put the veggie oil in a bottle with a long nozzle. (Commercially packaged oils come in this type of container.) This will make the oiling process easier and cleaner. No matter what you do, be sure not to use any oils that are petroleum based or come in an aerosol can. The use of these types of lubricants will not only void your shredder s warranty, they can create a fire hazard and possibly lead to an injury or serious damage.
The actual process of oiling your shredder is very easy. To do it, apply the oil directly to the machine s cutting area via the paper entry. Make sure to coat the entire entry area from side to side. Then put the machine in reverse for approximately 15 seconds this allows the oil to fully lubricate the shredder s cutting mechanism. Finally, shred a few sheets of paper to absorb any excess oil, and you re done!
Now you know how to oil your paper shredder. It s an easy way to maintain your machine and a vital part of paper shredder maintenance. Oil your shredder today and your machine will have a long working life.
Author Resource:
Jeff McRitchie is the designer and Director of Marketing for http://www.mybinding.com .He has written over 500 articles on binding machines,binding covers,binders,laminators,binding supplies,laminating supplies,paper handling equipments,index tabs, and shredders.
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