How to Oil a Paper Shredder
Paper Shredder OilProper shredder maintenance is required by all
paper shredder
manufacturers to maintain warranty coverage. Perhaps the most effective
way to care for your shredder is to oil the cutting heads regularly.
Why should I Oil my Paper Shredder?The
frequency of shredder oil applications is determined by a number of
factors. First of all cross cut shredders must be oiled more often than
strip cut shredders do. A cross cut
paper shredder
will require regular applications of shredder oil while a strip cut can
go for a longer period of time without decreased performance. Secondly,
paper shredders that are used more will need more lubrication. A paper shredder
under heavy usage will need oil about once every four hours, while one
under normal use will only require oil once or twice a month. Most
manufacturers recommend oiling the cutters once every 30 minutes of
accumulative shredding, but an easy way to remember is just to oil your paper shredder
every time you change the bag. The type of material as well as amounts
fed at once can also effect performance and lead to the need for oil.
Directions
You should only use specifically designed shredder oil to oil your paper shredder.
This oil is designed to lubricate precision heat treated shredder
cylinders, and any other lubricant or oil will void the manufacturers
warranty. So don't use WD-40 or the like to oil your paper shredder.
Shredder oil can come in both liquid and aerosol varieties. However, the most common is liquid shredder oil.
The
first way to oil your shredder is to spray or squirt lubricant into the
opening and onto the cutting heads. The oil is packaged in a squeeze
bottle and is applied directly onto the cutting head in a fine stream.
This is done through the paper entry throat. Take 1-2 seconds to oil
from one side of the opening to the other. Turn the machine in reverse
for about 10-15 seconds to allow the oil to transfer to all parts of the
cutting head. The final step is to shred a few sheets of paper to
remove any excess oil.
The other, and perhaps most common, way to oil your paper shredder
is illustrated in the image above. Simply spread a small amount of
shredder oil onto a piece of paper in a zig-zag type motion. Make sure
that you spread the oil over the entire sheet. (NOTE: you don't need to
soak the paper in oil, just ensure total and even coverage.) Feed this
sheet through the shredder and then operate the machine in the reverse
mode for a few seconds. This will make sure the oil is dispersed
throughout the shredders cutting cylinders. The final step is to shred a
few sheets of paper to remove any excess oil. You may want to repeat
this procedure depending on the results, and is recommended for up to
three applications to be assured of thorough oiling.
You should
oil your cross cut shredder on a regular basis. If you are shredding a
small quantity such as only 50 sheets a week or if you are using a small
shredder, then you should oil your shredder every other day. If you are
shredding a large quantity such as hundreds of sheets, then oil after
30 minutes of usage or after you empty the bag.
Start oiling your paper shredder now. The shredder will run smoother, faster, and put less strain on the overall motor, gears, and bearings.
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