Choosing a Shredder

Choosing the right shredder for your business or personal needs can be a daunting task. While some people might simply ask how many phone books can it gobble up, a more thoughtful approach would be how can I prevent my necktie or hair from getting stuck in it? Sure this may be fun in a Dilbert column, but in reality, getting nearly choked to death by a machine is certainly not the best way to start your day.

So what can a person do to prevent personnel, kids and pets from being endangered? When choosing a shredder, always look for a machine that has safety features built-in like the FEL3011001 by Fellowes Inc. which will automatically stop shredding when hands are too close and also not operate when the wastebasket is removed. Unplugging shredders when not in use and taking a minute to read the manufacturer's recommended safety precautions are also important points to keep in mind.

Also worthy of consideration is how does it shred? On the lower end, a strip cut shredder will shred paper in one direction. For added security, you may want to consider a cross cut shredder/confetti shredder which shreds documents two ways. In extremely tight security environments where it is either desired or required by law, a micro shredder will cut documents into minute pieces.

The terms "paper shredder is actually somewhat of a misnomer. Many shredders today can handle envelopes, card board, credit cards, staples, paper clips and other materials. If you find that you are constantly destroying CDs, a good bet would be a multimedia shredder. There are also combination units available on the market today that provide high performance, multi-functionality and safety features.

Other factors to keep in mind when choosing a shredder include:

Will it automatically stop shredding when jammed or the waste basket is full?

Does it have a reverse button?

Does it provide a window into the waste receptacle so you can see how full the basket is?

Will it automatically shut off if it starts to overheat?

Is the waste basket big enough for the amount of daily use it will receive?
Does it provide a reusable collecting bag?

Do you require an automatic sensor to activate the shredder when needed?

An ideal shredder should weigh the best balance of desired features with your budget. Sometimes the best choice is not a single unit but two or more lower cost models that perform specific tasks well. While a high end model may seem like a good selection initially in that it can do everything, what good does it do if it requires service? If John Doe loves shredding his boss's memos and the sound of a hungry machine eating old backup CDs, at least the security of the company will not be compromised when one machine goes down.

Moreover, other features like user-friendliness, warrantee and how quiet the unit is are all considerations that should be made when choosing a shredder. Although this is not an exhaustive list, hopefully it will help you make a more intelligent purchasing decision when choosing a shredder for your own personal or business needs.

Frank Enzo is a contributing author and programmer for Haskell New York Inc. (established 1928). Home page: http://www.officesalesusa.com. For more information about shredders, go to: http://www.officesalesusa.com/SearchResults.php?curid=4b42083f3c82d&uid=&txtSearch=Shredders&IndexCall=1

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