Shredder - runs backwards but not forwards

My shredder only runs forward momentarily unless it can sense paper being fed into it, I think it's designed that way to save your tie :-)

Many domestic shredders have little plastic levers and plastic gears. It's worth taking the lid off and making sure everything is in position. I've lost count of the number of times I'd had to do that because it's stopped working. Typically it's 3-4 screws on the underside of the lid and it comes off. Put back the plastic lever or gear that popped out, screw it back together, it works again.

Theo

Thank you! You are absolutely right. Just fed a couple of shredables through and it is working as it should.

Feeling foolish now.

Cheers

Dave R

No need, I watched somebody at work once being dragged into one by his tie, god knows what would have happened if somebody hadn't pulled the power :-(

Not as foolish as me trying to start the lawnmower after a year and replacing the battery only to find I had been trying to start it with the cutter engaged

Now it is working, I have noted that when you look at shredders for sale, there are also oil bottles and oil sheets for sale.

Previously I had never contemplated having to oil a shredder to beep the blades turning.

Does anyone with a domestic shredder bother to oil it? Or even an office shredder?

Cheers

Dave R

Yes. Mine has three pictograms next to the slot, one to show the maximum number of sheets it will chew, one to show cards can be shredded, and one with an oil can dripping. The instructions are a bit more detailed.

The ones I've taken apart tend to have white grease inside. Not sure what kind of grease is best for plastic gears, but I can't say I've ever found one dry. (although plenty came off on my hands)

Theo

I think for oiling the cutters, a sheet of paper lightly oiled with mineral oil (baby oil) is supposed to work. Internally, not sure. Online opinions seems to vary as to whether the first approach is helpful, unnecessary, or damaging, to shredders ;-). I have never tried it with my semi-industrial one. J^n

For reference:

Cheers

Dave R

I use the oil pouches to feed through works a treat the lubrication helps it from overheating when doing a big shredding. Mine tends to cut out if it overheats then you have to wait for it to cool down then I tend to get a short spell of shredding before it overheats again.

Richard

Usually a silicone or lithium type grease is recommended for plastic

The (quite industrial) ones I've seen, you take a sheet of paper, spray it to saturation with the shredder oil, then shed that sheet, it lubricates the teeth, not the gears, doesn't need any taking apart.

There are two type of lube to consider here, especially in the case of cross cut shredders.

The gear grease as you describe, but also the actual cutting teeth grease. You have lots of counter rotating "blades" that clog up with paper dust - they benefit from lubrication to stop the mechanism getting very stiff for the motor.

And the darned screws are deeply recessed so you need an ultra-long screwdriver to reach them, a screwdriver without any plastic covering on the shaft.

Those kits with a handle and five hundred hex bits are a great idea, until...