An average home or small office generates plenty of waste paper from kids' homework to junk mail. For security reasons or ID Theft protection, many people choose to shred their junk mail or waste paper. There are several shredders available in the market that can do the job but each of them are slightly different. This Article might help you find the right balance of price, features, and performance.
Wearever Cookware
First, we will look at the various types of Shredders in the market and then develop more understanding on the Ratings, Features and the Maintenance:
Wearever Cookware
Various Types of Shredders:
Strip-Cut Paper Shredders
Strip-cut shredders are also known as straight-cut or spaghetti-cut shredders. They slice the paper into long and thin strips. Strip-cut shredders generally used if you have a larger volume of paper, but would like to spend lesser on the maintenance requirements. Shred size varies from 1/8 to 1/2 inch. Narrower strips provide better security. Because the strips are not compressed, so a larger basket may be needed; or more frequent emptying.
Cross-Cut Paper Shredders
Cross-cut shredders cut paper vertically and horizontally into confetti-like pieces, thereby provide slightly better security. The shredded paper is compressed better so the basket could hold more shredded paper. The trade-off is these shredders may require more maintenance and generally cost more. With patience someone could reconstruct any shredded document. Cross-cut shredders just make the job a lot more tedious.
Confetti Paper Shredders
Some manufacturers sell Cross-Cut Shredders as Confetti-cut Shredders. They are basically same, merely different names for the same product. The shredded bits, or chad created by a cross cut paper shredder often resemble confetti and that's where the term comes from. However some cross cut shredders shred paper into short strips or rectangles. Traditionally confetti paper is square in shape, and small in dimension. So that may be a slight difference, if only you care to pay that close attention to square chad as opposed to rectangular.
Stand-alone Units
This type of paper shredder fits on a standard size wastebaskets. The sides are expandable and it allows you to adjust according to the width of the waste baskets. Stand-alone units cost less compared to the Integrated Shredder units and can usually be purchased for - . While choosing Stand-alone units, your must look for a unit that fits both round and rectangular baskets and the size is adjustable.
Integrated Units
Integrated Shredders come with built-in baskets or racks for plastic bags. These generally cost a little bit more than the Stand-alone shredders, discussed above. These shredders come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some units might include an extra opening for inserting paper that doesn't need shredding and a transparent window to check the paper level. Since Integrated units come with their own baskets, so you are tied into using a specific size of basket.
Shredder Ratings, Features, Supplies and Maintenance
Volume/Capacity
Shredders work optimally, if you follow the specified volume/capacity rating for the shredder. If you overwork a shredder, like any machine, they tend to burn out and/or require more maintenance. For low-volume users, shredder capacity/volume rating of 100-150 sheets per day would work. For higher volume users, you must look beyond personal shredders into the domain of commercial shredders, which may tend be a bit more pricey. A shred capacity of at least 4-5 sheets is best unless you really want to spend time feeding in paper one piece at a time. In real-world use, most shredders do best at 1-2 sheets less than their stated specifications - volume/capacity rating.
Throat
You also must know the type or size of paper that you would normally shred in your home or office. The Throat is the opening where you feed the paper into the shredder. It needs to be large enough to accommodate the size of paper you typically shred. For example 8.75 or 9 inch throat would handle unfolded letter size paper all right. A smaller throat size would typically be used to shred credit cards, ID cards or store receipts, and any other smaller size paper.
Extra Features
Shredders come with several of features. Not all of them come with all the features, so you may want to study a little bit before you purchase to find the right one that suits your needs:
Automatic start/stop the shredder detects the presence of paper.
Buzzer - Some shredders provide a light or buzzer to alert you to paper jams or a full shredder basket.
Reverse Feed is useful for helping to clear out paper jams.
Clear basket or see-through window, which helps you see when the basket is ready for emptying.
Supplies
Some brands of Shredder also come with shredder bags. These bags are specific to the dimensions of a specific model, so that may be recommended although ordinary trash bags also work.
Maintenance
Operate Shredders at their specified volume or capacity rating. Like moving parts of any other machine, in order to keep a shredder operating at peak efficiency the blades should be oiled regularly with specially formulated shredder oil. This oil is specifically formulated and it lubricates the cutter blades without leaving residue on the cutter.
How to Find Right Paper Shredder for Home and Office Needs
Wearever Cookware
Powder Whey
