_Have a small generic paper shredder with metal blades. -Got grinding noise and I oiled it. -Now will run in reverse but only a second or two in forward. -cleaned sensor with alcohol to no avail -will shred about 1/8 inch of paper and then blades stop turning. Will taking it apart help?

Visit the link below for various types of shredder oils.
http://www.factory-express.com/Shredder_Oil__Bags-2025.htm
Regular use of paper shredders creates paper dust that can dry out components, dull the blades, clog the machine and burn out the motor. However, with proper oiling and maintenance, a paper shredder can last for years.
Oiling a shredder can be accomplished using one of two quick methods. The paper method limits excess oil to the paper, reducing the chance of it splattering when you turn the machine back on. This method is more common than the second and can be used with all kinds of shredders. The paperless method may be less common, but it is just as effective at removing dust buildup from the blades of the shredder.
The Paper Method:1. Place a sheet of paper on or above a surface that will not be marred or damaged should you spill oil on it.2. Apply the oil to one side of the paper in a wide zigzag pattern across the whole face of the page to ensure sufficient coverage. Do not saturate the paper with oil.
3. Turn the shredder on and run the oiled piece of paper through the shredder. As the paper shreds, the oil that has been absorbed by the paper will lubricate the blades. The motion of the blades will distribute oil so the shredder continues to operate smoothly.
3. Feed a few more papers into the shredder to absorb residual oil from the cutting assembly. The Paperless Method:1. Set the shredder to manual mode so you can control the direction of the blades and the amount of time the blades are in motion.2. With the paper shredder turned off, squirt a solid line of oil into the paper entry lengthwise across the paper-shredder blades.
3. Start the paper shredder in reverse, allowing it to run for 10 to 20 seconds before stopping the blades. This will evenly distribute the oil to all parts of the cutting assembly.
4. Return the shredder to automatic mode. Then feed two or three sheets of paper into it to absorb the excess oil from the machine. Tip:
How often you should oil your paper shredder depends mostly on how much you use it. Office shredders that see heavy use every day will need to be oiled several times a week, while home machines used occasionally need be oiled only a few times a year. Cross-cut shredders will require more frequent oiling than other paper shredder varieties because they have more blades and create much more paper dust.
You can purchase a shredder lubricating oil from any major electronic or office supplies store or you can contact Royal customer service at 908-429-4357.

1. • 1 Turn the paper shredder off and unplug it.
   • 2 Clean out the paper shredder. Make sure the blades are free of paper bits and debris. Remove pieces of paper that are jammed around the blades.
   • 3 Spray the shredder oil through the blade opening or throat of the shredder. Spray it in a stream.
   • 4 Plug the shredder back in and switch the reverse button on. Then run it for 10 to 30 seconds in reverse to allow the blades to be saturated with shredder oil.
   • 5 Put the shredder in forward motion and let it run again to disperse the oil thoroughly to all areas of the cutting blades.
   • 6 Feed a couple pieces of paper through the blades to be shredded and absorb any extra shredding oil.

Read more: How to Lubricate Paper Shredders ' eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5761042_lubricate-paper-shredders.html#ixzz1kDQGrxZ8

1. • 1 Unplug the paper shredder. Empty the shreds from the collection bin. Pull as much stuck material as possible from the top and bottom of the shredder blades with pliers.
     
   • 2 Place the paper shredder back on the collection bin base and plug the shredder back in. Rock the shredding direction back and forth between forward and reverse. Pull on the jammed pieces as the shredder shifts between directions.
     
   • 3 Run the shredder in reverse continuously once the paper jam is cleared. Make two passes across the cutting blades while drizzling synthetic shredder oil. Switch the direction to forward to run continuously for one minute.
     
   • 4 Lower two sheets of clean paper into the shredder. The paper removes excess oil, metal fragments and debris from the cutting blades. Blast the blades with compressed air when you notice a build-up of small paper scraps that may cause a jam.
     

It is possible that a small shred of paper is lodged at the sensor underneath the cutting blade.

1. • 1 Unplug the paper shredder. Empty the shreds from the collection bin. Pull as much stuck material as possible from the top and bottom of the shredder blades with pliers or use canned air and blow the edges of the blades.
     
   • 2 Place the paper shredder back on the collection bin base and plug the shredder back in. Rock the shredding direction back and forth between forward and reverse.
     
   • 3 Make two passes across the cutting blades while drizzling synthetic shredder oil. Switch the direction to forward to run continuously for one minute.
     
   • 4 Lower two sheets of clean paper into the shredder. The paper removes excess oil, metal fragments and debris from the cutting blades. Blast the blades with compressed air when you notice a build-up of small paper scraps that may cause a jam.
     

Hi,

Ensure the wastebasket is empty then move power switch to the REVERSE position. This will reverse the jammed paper out of the shredder. If shredder jams again, alternate control switch slowly between REVERSE and AUTO (l) positions to attempt to move jammed paper completely through the shredder. If the shredder jams in reverse mode, move the switch to AUTO (l), depress the manual forward button located on the center of the shredder head and allow to run for five seconds. If jam does not clear, move switch to REVERSE again and allow to run for five seconds.

Repeat this process until jam is cleared. If necessary, turn off shredder and use care to grasp the paper and carefully pull out to clear jam. Once cleared, move switch to AUTO (l) to continue shredding. The jamming may be happening because the cutting cylinder needs to be oiled.

Follow instructions to oil your shredder;

To keep your shredder in top condition, the cutting blades need to be oiled every so often (for frequency, please refer to your owner's manual). We recommend using Powershred® Lubricant or a vegetable-based oil (such as corn or canola) in a non-aerosol container with an extension nozzle.

Caution: Never use flammable synthetic oil, petroleum-based, or aerosol lubricants to oil the cutting blades. Some agents may combust, causing serious injury. NEVER USE WD40.

1. Depress and hold the reverse button down.
2. Put the tip of the oil bottle in the paper entry and make one or two sweeps the length of the entry while squeezing the oil bottle.
3. Move the power switch to Auto (I) position, or depress the manual forward button (depending on model of shredder) and allow the blades to run at least three seconds.
4. Move the power switch to Reverse (R) position and allow it to run for at least three seconds.
5. Repeat steps three and four above at least three time.

Regards.

Hello,

Cross-cut shredders require monthly oiling of the cutting cylinders to maintain proper operation. Failure to oil the blades regularly could result in excessive noise during operation.

Oiling Your Shredder's Cutting Blades:

To keep your shredder in top condition, the cutting blades need to be oiled every so often (for frequency, please refer to your owner's manual). We recommend using Powershred® Lubricant or a vegetable-based oil (such as corn or canola) in a non-aerosol container with an extension nozzle.

Caution: Never use flammable synthetic oil, petroleum-based, or aerosol lubricants to oil the cutting blades. Some agents may combust, causing serious injury. NEVER USE WD40.

1. Depress and hold the reverse button down.
2. Put the tip of the oil bottle in the paper entry and make one or two sweeps the length of the entry while squeezing the oil bottle.
3. Move the power switch to Auto (I) position, or depress the manual forward button (depending on model of shredder) and allow the blades to run at least three seconds.
4. Move the power switch to Reverse (R) position and allow it to run for at least three seconds.
5. Repeat steps three and four above at least three times.

I hope the above helps....

Good luck.

1. Cross cut shredders require more frequent oiling versus the straight strip shredders. The more paper and use it gets the more oil it requires. A good rule of thumb is to oil the machine each time you change the bag.
2. Use only shredder oil designed for the specific brand of paper shredder you have. Manufacturers design paper shredder oils to be heat tolerant for the cylinders and blades, and they calibrate them specifically for their machines.
   
3. Spray, squirt or run a bead of oil across the blade opening. It shouldn't take more than a second or two to reach from one end to the other. Any more than that may result in too much oil applied. Quicker than that means there isn't enough oil to adequately lubricate the machine.
   
4. Turn the paper shredder to "Manual" and run the gears in reverse for a few seconds, then turn the shredder on "Forward" or "Standard" mode. This ensures that you distribute the oil throughout the machine, and going in reverse first forces some of the dripping oil back up, and then the forward moving blades push it back through the gears.
   
5. Oil a sheet of paper rather than the machine. Don't just run a bead of oil across the bottom of the sheet because the paper soaks up the oil and the oil may not reach all of the necessary parts. Instead, spray the whole sheet, or run a zigzag line across the paper and immediately send it through the shredder to oil it.
   

Cross cut shredders require more frequent oiling versus the straight strip shredders. The more paper and use it gets the more oil it requires. A good rule of thumb is to oil the machine each time you change the bag.

Use only shredder oil designed for the specific brand of paper shredder you have. Manufacturers design paper shredder oils to be heat tolerant for the cylinders and blades, and they calibrate them specifically for their machines.

Spray, squirt or run a bead of oil across the blade opening. It shouldn't take more than a second or two to reach from one end to the other. Any more than that may result in too much oil applied. Quicker than that means there isn't enough oil to adequately lubricate the machine.

Turn the paper shredder to "Manual" and run the gears in reverse for a few seconds, then turn the shredder on "Forward" or "Standard" mode. This ensures that you distribute the oil throughout the machine, and going in reverse first forces some of the dripping oil back up, and then the forward moving blades push it back through the gears.

Oil a sheet of paper rather than the machine. Don't just run a bead of oil across the bottom of the sheet because the paper soaks up the oil and the oil may not reach all of the necessary parts. Instead, spray the whole sheet, or run a zigzag line across the paper and immediately send it through the shredder tooil it.

Does the machine even run in reverse???? Have you ever oiled the machine.???
Put some "shredder oil" onto the cutting blades while it is running in reverse then try running it forwards.
If you can hear the motor running but the cutting blades dont turn you will have to open it up to see what is broken.
For parts assistance you can contact Royal at 1-800-524-0799.

If you prefer the convenience and don't mind the extra cost, you can buy shredder lubricant sheets at an office supply store and follow the directions on the package.

Or for a far less expensive method, buy a bottle of generic mineral oil (or baby oil) in the drug store. Spread 1/2 tsp of the oil onto a piece of letter size scrap paper, and run the oiled paper through the shredder. Then run the shredder in reverse for a few seconds and in forward for a few more seconds to spread the oil over the shredding cylinders. That's it.