Professional Shredders
Do I need a shredder? Recent events have made shredding confidential information a necessity. Documents found in the trash are not legally protected so they’re fair game to individuals looking to find out more information about you or your business. This explains the rapid increase in Identity Theft and Industrial Espionage. New security laws require that confidential medical information and consumer credit information must properly destroyed before the information is discarded. What’s the best way to destroy this information? Shred it with a Dahle paper shredder.

What types of documents should I shred? Any paper that contains information you would not like others to see. This could include personal information such as credit card info or bank statements, and business information such as accounting records or personnel files.

What distinguishes your machines from other shredder manufacturers? Dahle shredders are made in Germany using the latest technology and finest materials. Each component is manufactured and assembled with precision from over 20 years of shredder experience. Dahle machines use solid cutting cylinders milled from German Solingen Steel that are guaranteed to last a lifetime. Other components such as rubber shock mounts, electronic sensors, and a thermally protected motor result in a quality machine and piece of mind in knowing your Dahle shredder will provide many years of trouble free operation. For more information, download our What Sets Us Apart information sheet.

Why should I buy a shredder when I can have a shredder service come by and shred my documents? Mobile shred services are a never ending expense that experience constant increases in wages, fuel, and equipment maintenance. These increases eventually get passed on to their customers (you) each and every year. For more information on the differences of in house versus mobile shredder services, please read our Benefits of Shredding Your Own Documents.

What are some factors to consider when purchasing a shredder? Please visit our How to Choose a Shredder page for options to consider when choosing a shredder. For a more detailed evaluation, please download Dahle's Needs Analysis checklist or contact an Government Sales Representative at (866) 248-7902.

Should I consider a strip cut or cross cut shredder? This depends on the type of security you need as well as the convenience you are looking for. A strip cut shredder produces thin strips the entire length of your document. Cross cut shredders produce smaller particles by cutting the paper in two directions. The size of these shreds offer greater document security, self compact, and require less frequent bag changes.

What do most people overlook when they purchase a shredder? Most people forget to think about the anticipated growth of their company. Will the proposed shredder be sufficient to handle your demand in five or ten years? You should always keep that in mind. If you buy a shredder that you can grow in to, you’ll wind up saving a lot of wear and tear on your shredder in the long run.

We only have a certain amount of dollars to spend on a paper shredder. What would you recommend? You should always buy a shredder based on the need for that particular shredder. If you buy on dollar amount instead of need, you will repeat the scenario over and over again. Sometimes it is better to wait until you can afford the best shredder that fits your needs.

Can a Dahle shredder destroy staples and paper clips? Dahle shredders can accommodate paper that has been stapled or has paper clips still attached. Dahle High Security shredders are the only exception due to the extremely small particle size they produce.

We have 25 people that will be using the shredder. Should we buy several smaller shredders or one large Department Shredder? In most cases large cross cut Department Shredders will hold up better and the higher sheet capacity will be more than sufficient. The overall life of this size shredder will also be much longer.

I need a Department size cross cut shredder. Should I be concerned about the oiling requirements? Cross cut shredders should be oiled every 15 to 30 minutes of continuous use. We recommend an Automatic Oiler for this size shredder. This will solve your problem and guarantee optimal performance for the life of the shredder.

What do security levels mean and what should I look for? Security levels are used mainly by the Government to designate how difficult a document is to reassemble after it has been shred. These levels are directly related to the size of the shred. The smaller the shreds the harder they are to reassemble, which corresponds to a higher security level. Currently Level 6 is the highest security level and known as the NSA/CSS 02-01 standard for the destruction of Top Secret COMSEC documents.
 
What are High Security Shredders and how do I know if I need one? High Security Shredders offer the greatest level of security and the smallest particle size. All Dahle High Security Shredders exceed the standards set forth by the NSA/CSS 02-01 standard for destruction of Top Secret COMSEC documents.

Can I plug my shredder into an extension cord or power strip if an outlet is not available? In order for your shredder to receive the proper voltage for operation, it must be plugged directly into the wall. Using a power strip can damage your shredder and will void the warranty.  

What are shipping bolts and how do I remove them? Shipping bolts are necessary to maintain the proper alignment of your shredders cutting head while in transit. Each shredder contains an Allen key to remove these bolts before operation. Please refer to you shredder’s user manual for detailed instructions.

How often should a shredder be oiled? The key to maintaining your shredder at optimal performance is proper oiling. Dahle shredder oil is recommended because it’s specially formulated so it won't leave any residue that could attract dust and clog the shredding mechanism. When oiling your shredder, apply a fine stream of oil directly into the throat of the machine, or squirt the oil onto a sheet of paper, then shred the paper. Oiling frequency will vary. A Strip Cut shredder being used 1-2 hours per day will need lubrication weekly. A Cross Cut shredder should be lubricated after every ½ hour of use. Our Automatic Oilers has been very successful, especially for the High Security shredders where proper oiling is essential. Dahle Shredder Oil is available in cases of 4-16oz. bottles, or 4-1 gallon bottles.

Can I use WD-40 to oil my Dahle shredder? Properly oiling a shredder is essential to prevent jamming of the cutting mechanism and ensure the machine is shredding to capacity. WD-40 is a penetrating oil that can cause paper to stick together and ultimately jam the cutting mechanism. Dahle Shredder Oil is the optimal choice. It is specially formulated to work with our shredders and offers a high cling value with low dust retention.

I recently purchased a Dahle shredder and can’t seem to locate the Shred Box. Do I need to purchase this item separately? Even though you can purchase our shred boxes separately, this box is included with your shredder. Take a moment and look over all the packing materials. The shred box is often mistaken for part of the packing materials.  

What is the benefit of using Dahle Shredder Bags as opposed to store bought trash bags? Dahle shredder bags are available to specifically fit your Dahle shredder. These bags feature gusseted sides that expand and ensure your bag will hold the maximum amount of shreds possible.

What’s the best way to purchase a Dahle shredder? You can place your order directly with Dahle North America. The Dahle Direct link will take you to our Customer Information Form. You will be contacted regarding your request/order.  All Dahle Direct transactions will be processed and shipped directly from the manufacturer.

How quick can I get my shredder if the manufacturer is out of stock when I place my order? All manufacturers keep a constant supply of shredders available. Even when they receive unusually large orders at one time a phone call can make certain that the flow of incoming shredders is sufficient. In most cases delivery is within days – not weeks.

How can I purchase supplies for my shredder? Supplies can be ordered through your Dahle Government Sales Representative by calling (800) 995-1379or you can fill out our Customer Information Form and we will contact you directly.

How can I get replacement parts for my shredder? Dahle keeps a large number of parts for each machine in their inventory and in most cases parts can be shipped next day if the order is placed early in the day. If you should need a replacement part you can either contact your Government Sales Representative or contact Bob Champagne, Dahle’s Technical Service Manager. 

Whom do I contact if I need a warranty repair on my shredder? You can contact Bob Champagne, Dahle’s Technical Service Manager at (603) 924-0003. Bob will have an authorized technician look at you shredder and repair it if necessary.