Fellowes 8-722C Paper Shredder "Repair" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 04:17:34 am
content: A friend's paper shredder 'died' recently so he, like most today threw it out and bought another. No magic smoke or melted plastic so I had to dumpster dive and "take it apaaarrrt".I laughed out loud when I opened the case.Below are before and after photos and the 'weapon of choice' a hand held LiIon 18V blower (normally saved for PC clean outs) used on the lawn.Needless to say it worked after a quick clean and oil.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 05:02:40 am
content: I foolishly opened it up inside my 'shack' , some of the fine paper powder went everywhere!I think it was just paper dust one of the multiple optical sensors that caused it to shut down.Gave me a good laugh!

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 05:17:27 am
content: Put some oil on the cutter rollers and you will find it is a lot quieter and does not strain so much. That will make it last a lot longer as well.Amazed the plastic posts have not broken off, the one at work is held together with steel all thread rod, nylock nuts and M4 washers. The plastic went brittle with age.

author: LA7SJA
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 09:10:09 am
content: The most common mistake with shredders are motor overload, followed by overheating. This wil trigger the thermo fuse, this fuse self RESETS when the temp on the engine assembly is down to normal (can take as much as one hour). So I am not convinced that you actually repaird itJFG

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 10:31:49 am
content: I have no doubt, I did NO repair!It didn't work at all when I plugged it in at home, no lights etc, it had been left outside for about a week including some light rain (hence the bit of surface rust on the cutting teeth) when I plugged it in I got a nasty buzzing sound from the switch, I suspect some water had got in. I proceeded to ignore it for a few days (always a good repair strategy!!! HiHi) hoping it would dry out, then I opened it up and found the paper shreds and dust everywhere.The best thing about a 'dumpster dive' project is because I haven't paid anything I don't care that much, so I have more fun!

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 01:19:37 pm
content: I, too, have a Fellowes shredder-not sure of the model, I am too lazy to go out to the office to look. I have a dispenser filled with vegetable oil that I use to lube the shredder after emptying the bin. i have also caused a thermal shutdown. It took about a 1/2 hour to cool down enough to work again. Paid $16 for it(almost brand new) at a thrift shop compared to the $60 new pricetag. It work fine business. Enjoy the shredder. Loved the tool of choice for the "repair"

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 01:33:45 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on December 13, 2014, 01:19:37 pmI don't think that vegetable oil is a good idea for lubing. I'd use it for French fries

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 13, 2014, 05:11:34 pm
content: Vegetable oil in shredders is used for safety. The flash point is 2x more than mineral oil, about 370oC vs 185oC. Add oil vapor to paper, paper dust, and a hot motor as an ignition source and you have the ingredients to start and sustain a good fire, if the thermal switch fails.FWIW the ignition temperature of paper is about 232oC, mineral oil vapor will further fan the fire while vegetable oil may contribute to extinguishing it.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 03:22:08 am
content: Quote from: madires on December 13, 2014, 01:33:45 pmSaturation is on the money. The manual says to use vegetable oil for the safety reasons. I spread it across the opening and run a sheet of paper through it to make sure it gets all over. And, yes, I do french fries with it also

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 03:44:52 am
content: I need to read more carefully, initially I thought madires was recommending putting fries through the shredder!HiHi.Seriously I think shredders probably need overhauls with modest frequency, the amount of paper shreds /dust that had accumulated was probably at risk levels.

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 04:53:22 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on December 13, 2014, 04:46:43 amyep lol! after the sterilization chamber

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 05:18:00 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on December 14, 2014, 05:03:00 amyou meen from that guy who received and passed the messages, rigth?

author: RobertoLG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 05:38:07 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on December 14, 2014, 05:32:51 amoh yeah I remember it, and about The Day The Earth Stood Still that's for sure, the original is much better

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 12:43:19 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on December 14, 2014, 03:22:08 amThat's interesting, because vegetable oil becomes quite gooey and is not suitable to lube mechanics. But the higher flash point makes perfectly sense.

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 12:59:36 pm
content: If you want high ignition point use silicone oil, though it does tend to turn into grinding paste if it gets to that point. Otherwise a nice light napthetic oil works well if you just use a drop at each end, or a sheet of paper with a few drops on it and fed through the shredder.

author: denelec
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2014, 08:50:00 pm
content: Vegetable oil is also used in certain power transformers.http://www.cargill.com/products/industrial/dielectric-ester-fluids/envirotemp-fr3/index.jspMuch better than PCB oil.