PROS:
- Shreds into consistently small pieces that are ID-secure
- Can really shred up to 8 sheets of regular paper at once
- Automatic feed on/off (can be left in standby all day)
- Can shred credit cards
- Metal staples are no problem
- Sturdy construction, heavy-duty cutters
- Nice design
- Small size fits into home office
- Manual reverse helps undo jams and clear out cutters
- Several safety shut-offs/lock-outs prevent accidental injury or burnout
- Little fingers cannot reach the cutters from the outside
- It is very safe (automatic shut-off) and easy to remove the cutter assembly
- Bin is easy to dump
CONS:
- Loud and shrill when operating
- If used non-stop for 3 solid minutes it shuts itself down for 15 minutes flat - also a "pro" in that it will not permit overheating and will force you to take a break from purging your office files. ;-)
- No automatic shut-off for full bin (but there IS a window to see into the bin), so sometimes if you're not watching, you can create a jam because the bin is over-full.
- If it does jam (particularly with unexpectedly tough folded papers in envelopes), it can be rather difficult extracting documents from the slot.
- Slot is just 9" wide - many business envelopes are 9.5" wide (however they can be shredded vertically)
This shredder will really slow down and seem to struggle with some slightly thick envelopes of folded paper (e.g., 3 folded sheets, which is actually about 11 layers in all with the envelope included!), but I was surprised that if they crept on through the slot, they were always completely shredded in the bin - no partial shredding or surface-only "scoring", like my last shredder. If it goes through this one, it's thoroughly shredded. These slow-downs don't seem to have any negative effect on the mechanism. If a few seconds are allowed between each "feeding" (enough time to be sure you REALLY want to shred that next document), it will continue working indefinitely. It seems to shut down for the non-negotiable 15 minutes only if it is run literally non-stop for about three solid minutes. I had TONS of paperwork to shred on my first use of this machine and I was quickly feeding it hand-over-fist when it suddenly took its 15-minute "union break"; it would be unusual to shred like this on a daily basis.
Be sure to buy the lubricant for this machine - it makes a difference!! It's odor free, extremely easy to apply (just squirt it all across the input slot) and the shredding goes faster with very few jams. Fellowes Powershred Shredder Oil & Lubricant, 12 oz. Bottle with Extension Nozzle (35250) Fellowes Powershred P-48C 8 Sheet Cross-Cut Paper Shredder (3224905)
This is a lousy shredder. It will not work unless the wobbly top is on just so. It is sold as an 8-sheet shredder, but it jams if you put in more than 4 20-lb. standard 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper sheets. Some jams are nearly impossible to clear even with reversing. Lousy. Stinko. Bad.
A bit louder than I expected, but works fine for a home-office duty shredder. It takes up to 8 sheets a pass, but be careful about just putting a whole junk mail item into it at once. The paper is folded up inside the envelope and can easily multiply the thickness so that it slows it down or jams it. I always open up my mail either way - junk or not - and so feeding the shredder without jamming it isn't a problem. It also takes credit cards and staples just fine. The bin capacity is nice and holds plenty of shredded paper before needing to empty it. And the shape of the shredder makes it easy to place it up against the side of a desk or wall neatly.
For the price, I have no real complaints except for the sound of the motor. That's one star off my 5-star rating, folks!
This shredder is OK, but very noisy. Wish they would do something to make them less noisy. Other than that, it works just fine. I have not used it enough to know how quickly it will get overheated, and have to be shut off. The literature seems to indicate the run time is quite short though. Emptying process could also be improved. Maybe a pull out tray would make it easier.
It is so obvious that the first reviewer is a Fellowes company spokesperson because believe me, this is by far the worst shredder I've ever owned, let alone seen, in my entire administrative career. It consistently jams, even for two or three sheets of paper, and isn't designed for ease in a consumer's ability to un-jam it. Thus, you'd have to pay to have it repaired or better yet (for the company, that is!) throw it out and buy a new one. I called Fellowes and although my warranty is still in effect since the machine is only about 2 months old, I was told by Amanda that the jam is my fault for 1) not oiling my shredder on a regular basis; and 2) for placing envelopes in it before cutting off the adhesive strip. So, now I've come to learn that not only do I have to cut out my address info from junk mail before shredding, but I must also check to make sure the envelope flap is not involved in the shredding process. Amanda assured me that she's had extensive training in shredding and that the warranty, in my case, is useless and that Fellowes will not stand behind this product. If you'd like to test it, just shred your warranty and your receipt. Obviously they are useless but don't worry -- the machine will jam and you'll still have most of it. - Fellowes - Office Products - Cross Cut Shredder - Fellowes Shredder'
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