MyBinding Knowledge Base
What to Keep in Mind When Using a Paper Shredder?
Are you wondering how to use a paper shredder? The good news is that it’s actually very easy. With most of them, you can simply turn the machine on, insert your paper, and it will get shredded. However, there are some things you should keep in mind to keep the device in good condition and to ensure your safety. Here they are….
- The machine’s shredding capacity is a very important consideration. This refers to how many sheets of paper the device can shred at one time. Never shred more than is recommended. In fact, you should actually shred a couple of pieces less than the specified amount. This is because if you try to force too many sheets into the device, you could experience a paper jam. Or, if you’re really unlucky, you could burn out the motor. So play it safe and don’t shred more than you should. Some machines even have overfeed indicators that can help you gauge if you’re trying to shred too much.
- There are some shredders that are designed to deal with items such as CD’s and credit/debit cards. If your device can handle these materials, go for it. However, if it can’t, don’t try to shred them. This can be dangerous (imagine little bits of plastic flying everywhere) and it can wreak havoc on the machine.
- It’s really important to stay safe when using a shredder because these machines can do some real damage if you’re not careful. For one thing, if your device has an interlock switch to prevent unauthorized use, be sure to take advantage of it. When shredding, make sure that your hands don’t get too close to the feed opening. Likewise, be sure that no jewelry, neckties, or hair can get near the opening. And if you’re using a shredder at home, it’s a good idea to keep it out of the reach of children and any pets you might have. Don’t rely on interlock switches or other safety features to keep your little ones safe.
- When it comes time to oil your shredder, it’s vital that you use lubricant that’s been formulated for your device. Never use anything other than shredder oil. That includes various types of cooking oil (olive, canola, etc.), anything you’d use in your car, and so on. Using these kinds of lubricants is extremely risky and it can void the device’s warranty. Your instruction manual should have some information on when you need to oil the machine (and it may even have some suggestions on which brand of oil to use), so make sure you follow the recommendations.
- Many of today’s shredders have the ability to turn themselves off when all of the materials have been destroyed. However, not every machine has this feature, so you’ll want to make sure yours is turned off after you’re done using it. This will prevent the motor from running constantly which can cause it to overheat. It will also reduce the risk of injury and fire.
Using a paper shredder is easy, but you need to keep some things in mind so you can both use it properly and reduce the risk of injury. Now that you know what they are, you should be able to enjoy a safe, trouble-free shredding experience. Good luck!
< Over the years, a number of customers have asked me whether they can use twin loop wire with their plastic comb binding machine. These customers often don’t want to have to buy a brand new machine but like the look and feel of twin loop wire binding. However, the answer to their question isn’t as simple as it seems. You see, they actually do make twin loop wire that is designed to work with the plastic comb binding hole pattern. With that said, if you want to use these wires you are going to need a way to close the wires. What is Spiral-O Wire? Let me explain a little bit more…There is a product that we carry called Spiral-O Wire. This wire has 19 loops and is designed to work with the hole pattern from a plastic comb binding machine. Spiral-O Wire is sometimes called Wire Combs or Ibico Wire and was originally designed for use with some of the older Ibico binding machines. A number of the older Ibico plastic comb binding machines also included a twin loop wire closer on the front of them to allow users to use both plastic combs and wire. This 19 loop wire was designed for this purpose. What Equipment is Needed? As the Ibico brand has been phased out by GBC and all of the older Ibico plastic binding machines have been replaced with new models, they no longer have the twin loop wire closer on the front of them. This presents a problem in trying to use these spiral-o wires since you can’t use the wires without a way to close them. One of the only options left is to purchase a Twin Loop wire closer. However, since twin loop wire closers are not incredibly cheap this option usually only appeals to users who have larger electric plastic comb binding machines. Otherwise, it is often advisable to simply buy a low end 3:1 pitch twin loop wire binding machine (the supplies are cheaper). This being said, if you have one of the older Ibico binding machines that has a wire closer included you are in luck. The Spiral-O binding supplies that we carry will work perfectly with your machine and you will be able to use both plastic combs and wire depending on your needs. These Spiral-O binding supplies are available in Black, Silver, White, Blue and Red and in sizes up to 1″ in diameter. If you aren’t sure what type of wire binding supplies that you need to work with your machine simply give us a call. Our trained sales representatives will be glad to help you find the correct supplies for use with your machine.(Read More)
