How to Oil a Paper Shredder
Proper 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.
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. Еasy 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.
Author - Factory Express
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
