When choosing a paper shredder, one of the key considerations is the machine s security rating, which can range from Level One (low security) all the way to Level Six (super high security). If you need a machine with a Level Six rating, you should look at the Dahle 20634EC paper shredder. To find out about the pros (and cons) of this machine, please read on.
The Pros:
* Perhaps the primary reasons for choosing the Dahle 20634EC cross cut paper shredder is its security rating. This machine has a Level Six rating the highest available and has met the requirements for NSA/CSS Specification 02 01 approval. This means this shredder is perfect for the destruction of all sensitive documents, from credit card applications to top secret military and government files. The cutting mechanism of the 20634EC has the capability to turn a sheet of paper into over 15,000 particles (each particle measures 1 mm x 4.7 mm), so you can be assured that your documents can never be reassembled.
* This is a fully automated machine that starts up automatically, lets you know when to change the 16 gallon waste bag, and it also has an auto reverse feature to help prevent paper jams. For more automation, you can purchase the Dahle automatic oiler, which can take care of lubricating the machine for you, thus eliminating one step in paper shredder maintenance. All of these features can make the shredding process much smoother, as well as save you a lot of time.
* The automatic features of the 20634EC make it incredibly easy to use. The machine also has a user friendly control panel that includes a button for continuous duty shredding.
* You can feed the 20634EC documents that are up to 10.75 inches wide, so this is a great machine to use if you shred documents that are a variety of different sizes.
* The 20634EC is made by Dahle, so you can be confident you re getting a well built machine that will work for a long time. The cutting mechanism is made of solid steel and rests on mounts made of rubber, providing super quiet operation, and the blades come with a one year warranty.
The Cons:
* The 20634EC can only shred up to 12 sheets of paper at once, so it s not ideal for offices that need to do a lot of heavy duty shredding on a daily basis.
* This paper shredder lacks casters. Dahle really should have added them considering the 20634EC weighs 130 pounds. Some people might experience some difficulty when moving the machine because of this.
* The 20634EC is just over 30 inches tall, so it can t be stored underneath a desk. Using this shredder will be slightly less convenient than using a personal sized shredder just because it s a big too large to have it right at hand.
* Although the 20634EC offers the highest security rating possible, it is a shame that the shredder can t destroy electronic media, such as floppy disks and CD ROM s. If you need to destroy those kinds of items, you ll either need to choose a different paper shredder or purchase an additional one, such as the Dahle 30406 or 30414. (Just be aware that those machines have security ratings of Levels Two and Three, respectively.)
Finally, the Dahle 20634EC paper shredder retails for just under $4,500.00. This price may be too high for some businesses, especially if they need a machine with a higher shredding capacity and/or one that can handle multimedia shredding. But for offices that need a reliable, well built shredder with a Level Six security rating, the Dahle 20634EC could be just the machine to get.
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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