› Paper Shredders

Why Choose Cummins Allison Paper Shredders?

Selection -- We offer the widest variety of shredders, from small personal units that fit under desks, to full size office models that can handle continuous shredding from multiple feeds.

Value -- Cummins Allison shredders provide ease-of-use, capacity and reliability. The right shredder in your application should provide years and years of reliable service. Our team will work with you to provide your “second shredder first” and avoid the cost and hassle of buying the wrong first shredder.

Local and Nationwide Support -- Cummins Allison has factory-trained employees in over 50 cities, so installations, warranty work, maintenance and other repairs can be handled locally. Your local Cummins Allison representative can install one shredder in your office, or ten units in ten locations, with the same excellent local support in every location. We also offer convenient and cost-effective Preventive Maintenance Agreements.

Experience -- Cummins Allison has sold and serviced paper shredders since 1955. Our branch office staff is factory-trained and can be very useful in selecting the right shredder for your needs -- without cost or obligation. Contact your Local Branch Office today for a complete shredder needs analysis.

Tips for Choosing the Correct Paper Shredder for your Needs:

Buy Your Second Paper Shredder First! -- Avoid the most common error of buying a paper shredder that is too small for the actual paper volume. Shredders must be able to handle the types and volumes of documents shredded. If a shredder is not easy to use, is not reliable or does not have the needed capacity, it will not be used and your need for information security will not be met.

Analyze Your Needs -- Before you select a shredder, you should first analyze your needs. Who will use the shredder? A person, a department or an entire office? What are the paper sizes to be shredded (8-1/2 x 11, printout, complete file folders, reports, etc.)? How much paper needs to be shredded? Will this volume continue to grow? When in doubt, buy the larger capacity shredder.

Combine Resources and Budgets -- Paper shredders are often purchased by one department and when installed, multiple departments use them. The result is overload. Or multiple departments each purchase smaller paper shredders and struggle with paper volume. Had they combined their budgets, one larger shredder could have handled all of their needs, including large volume needs. If you or your department needs a paper shredder, check with others before buying.

Be Careful with Paper Shredder Specifications -- Don’t buy a shredder based merely on specifications. For example, horsepower is frequently used to compare shredders, but it isn’t all that meaningful. Likewise, shredders may have been tested using lighter-weight paper than what’s used in your office. The real test is shredding your paper in your office.

 

Strip/Ribbon Cut

Material is cut into narrow strips
(usually 1/4" wide).

• The most common and popular type of paper shredder.
• Often available in a variety of strip widths.
• Generally lower costs than other types.
• Higher capacity than other types.
• Less complicated mechanically than other paper shredders.

Cross Cut or Particle Cut

Paper is reduced to short strips or particles
(usually about 1/4" x 1 1/2" in size).

• Provides a higher degree of security than strip cut paper shredders.
• Reduces the "bulk" of the shredded materials to allow the shredder bag to hold more material.

High Security (NSA) Cut

These paper shredders shred material into very small particles.

• Provides a higher degree of security than strip cut or cross cut paper shredders.
• Reduces the "bulk" of the shredded materials to allow the shredder bag to hold more material.

 

When selecting a paper shredder, it is important to understand exactly what types and sizes of paper you will be shredding, in order to determine the correct throat width size for your needs.

Throat width refers to the size of the opening in which you put material to be shredded. It is recommended to select a throat width that is large enough to accommodate your widest paper size. A throat width too small may decrease paper shredding speed and efficiency. The following is a guide to help you determine which size would best meet your needs:

8 5/8" -- Perfect for shredding letter or legal size documents.

10 1/4" -- Accommodates letter and legal documents, as well as most letter size computer paper.

12" -- Ideal for shredding mid-sized computer paper and standard file folders.

16"- 20" -- Easily accommodates large-sized computer documents.