ILiveInFlipFlops Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I'm shopping for a shredder for someone for Christmas, and I came across this maintenance topic. I had no idea. When I googled about it, it seemed like there are lots of shredder lubricating advocates out there, but do people actually do this? I've had my shredder for at least 5 years (probably more like 7-8) and I've never even thought about maintenance. It still seems to work fine, but maybe it would work better somehow if I gave it a little TLC? Will it eventually break if I don't? I'm so surprised. Am I totally out of the loop here? It's very possible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethel Mertz Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 First I've heard of it as well. I've had a shredder for about 12 years and it never occurred to me I had to do something to maintain it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 The secretaries at my former workplace would use the lubrication sheets for the shredder. The volume of documents they shred is high though. Outside of work environment, I don't know anyone who use shredder lubrication sheets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I've lubricated ours a few times, either with the lubricating sheets or by spreading a very small amount of mineral oil on a piece of paper. So, yeah -- I've known for quite a few years that lubricating a shredder is considered regular maintenance. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 I've only used the huge one dh had at his office, but it had to be lubricated after every box of paper I shredded. He started buying the oil at Tractor Supply instead of the official shredder oil he was told to use. It is the same stuff only much cheaper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 I've lubricated ours a few times, either with the lubricating sheets or by spreading a very small amount of mineral oil on a piece of paper. So, yeah -- I've known for quite a few years that lubricating a shredder is considered regular maintenance. I've only used the huge one dh had at his office, but it had to be lubricated after every box of paper I shredded. He started buying the oil at Tractor Supply instead of the official shredder oil he was told to use. It is the same stuff only much cheaper. Does lubricating it actually improve the way the shredder works in a noticeable way? Or is it really just a "preventive care" kind of thing? I do have mineral oil and paper here. Hmmm... One thing I read said that you could void your warranty if you don't use the kind of oil the manufacturer recommends, but considering that my shredder is old and I probably don't have the paperwork anymore, it might be worth a try, I guess. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lllll Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) nm Edited December 2, 2015 by ^ 022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samm Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 An addendum to your file: never, ever shred an unused laminating pouch. I did this ONCE by mistake a few years ago. I guess the friction of blades heated the pouch. It instantly seized up the shredder and kind of became one with all the blades. Shredder (which I may have oiled once in like 20 years) had to go away for good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted November 27, 2015 Author Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) An addendum to your file: never, ever shred an unused laminating pouch. I did this ONCE by mistake a few years ago. I guess the friction of blades heated the pouch. It instantly seized up the shredder and kind of became one with all the blades. Shredder (which I may have oiled once in like 20 years) had to go away for good. Oh, that's good to know! That seems like the kind of thing I might do accidentally and really regret. Thanks! Edited November 27, 2015 by ILiveInFlipFlops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Does lubricating it actually improve the way the shredder works in a noticeable way? Or is it really just a "preventive care" kind of thing? I do have mineral oil and paper here. Hmmm... One thing I read said that you could void your warranty if you don't use the kind of oil the manufacturer recommends, but considering that my shredder is old and I probably don't have the paperwork anymore, it might be worth a try, I guess. I've never noticed that it made a difference in performance. I think it's more preventative maintenance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 It's preventative. I've used shredders for years at work, so I knew about this. At work they lubricate when they empty. Mine says to lubricate whenever you empty it, so that's what I do too. The oil stays in a cabinet close by. Our home shredder is 15 years old and is still going strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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