Paper Shredder (home).

Infidel

Hi.

Well I hope everyone had a good Summer. Now it's September and the winter has started.

I'm contemplating moving to sunnier climes (where winter doesn't last 11 months) so I'm in the process of (or at least thinking about where to start) cleaning and clearing up the house in possible anticipation of a move (even though it could well be a long time off).

So enough of the waffle. A paper shredder, for home use!!! I've had a quick look around the net........seems like there are several different price brands. But is there really that much difference between them. Just need to shred years worth of old bank statements etc. etc. that have been piling up over the years. So the scissors method isn't really feasible.

Any recommendations? And where to buy. Ideally I'd like to be able tyo just pop down town to Argos or somewhere if they sell something suitable. Cheers!

droopsnoot

The trouble with the cheap ones is how quickly they get "tired". I've got a fairly basic one that we bought for the office from Viking Direct, but after you run a couple of batches of A4 through it (and by batches, I mean 3-4 pages per batch) it then goes into "sulk" mode until you let it cool down.


Can you have a fire instead?

Mojisola

If a fire isn't possible, think back to making papier mache when you were kid - tear up the paper, soak it for a few hours, mash then squeeze into lumps.

Infidel

droopsnoot wrote: »

Can you have a fire instead?

I did actually think about this. Wasn't sure about fire rules. Though I'm on a cul-de-sac, so there is no smoke/traffic risk.

Might actually be popping down town for fire-lighters instead

RumRat

For that much shredding you need to fork out for a heavy duty shredder and they don't come cheap. The usual 'Home' shredders heat up quickly then have to be left to cool before reuse, as droopsnoot says.
I tried a similar exercise with my shredder and gave up as it was taking ages.
I invested a tenner in a garden incinerator from the local hardware shop (I think you can get galvanised ones for under Twenty quid in Argos).
It worked a treat and I soon had everything burned beyond recognition.
The bath method sounds interesting, might be a tad messy though.;)

rich_jtg

We've had a few shredders over the years, but our current one (Fellowes P-48C) seems to be above average.

Two tips though...

Invest in some shredder oil, which you use by applying a zig-zag pattern one of the pieces of paper you're shredding.

Don't put too much paper in at a time to avoid overloading the motor. Shredders often have a rating of several sheets, but these are often based on very thin paper.

LadyDee

Just spotted this
http://www.lidl.co.uk/en/our-offers-2491.htm?action=showDetail&id=26563

Le_Kirk

I have had a Fellowes FS5 for years. It does up to A4 - 3 sheets but only into strips. For total security you should go for a cross cut version. If you are thinking of recycling after shredding bear in mind that some councils (mine included) do NOT allow shredded paper to be recycled - it affects the fibre length when used for making new paper apparently. I find it annoying to shred for security and then put it in the bin for landfill. If you have a lot of shredding, maybe look for a secure disposal facility. Not sure how much they cost but could be cheaper than several shredders!

tronator

Le_Kirk wrote: »

I find it annoying to shred for security and then put it in the bin for landfill.

You can put it on your compost heap.

debitcardmayhem

can anyone remember when "the paperless office" was first mooted?

RumRat

tronator wrote: »

You can put it on your compost heap.

I burned mine and dug it into a new area of garden.....Plants loved it..