Jeff McRitchie

Swingline SC170 Shredder Review

Having a paper shredder for personal use is important if you want to protect yourself from identity theft. If you need such a device, the Swingline SC170 might be right for you. Here is an in-depth look at this machine:

• The SC170 is a strip-cut shredder that has a Level 2 security rating. It's perfect for shredding items such as junk mail, old correspondence, and so on, and the items can still have staples and paper clips attached to them. The device can also shred credit cards so you can dispose of them safely. (Note: this shredder cannot destroy multimedia items including CD's.)
• This machine can handle paper that's up to 9" wide. That means you'll be able to shred legal- and letter-sized sheets without any hassle. Plus, you can shred up to 14 sheets at a time which is a pretty good amount for a smaller device.
• Since the SC170 is designed for personal use, it doesn't have a particularly large waste bin. The bin can hold 6 gallons of shreds so you might find that you have to empty it frequently if you shred a lot.
• The SC170 can shut off automatically after you're done using it. This will help prevent the motor from overheating so you can get a lot of use out of the shredder. Also, this feature will help you save energy.
• One thing you need to know about this shredder is that it doesn't have a lot of fancy features such as anti-jam technology. (There is a reverse mode you can use if anything gets jammed in the machine.) However, the lack of special features means that this device is pretty affordable and it's great for general paper shredding.
• If you want a small shredder, the SC170 is perfect. Its dimensions are 20" (height) x 15" (width) x 10" (depth) so it won't take up very much room. It can even be kept under a desk if you want. The machine's angled head makes it easy to shred even if the device is tucked away.
• Finally, the SC170 comes with a pair of limited warranties. The cutters are covered for 5 years while everything else is covered for 2.

Final rating: 8. Overall, the Swingline SC170 is a terrific paper shredder and it's one that's perfect for individual use at home or even in the office. This machine offers a decent shredding capacity for a small device and it's nice that it can destroy document fasteners and credit cards. You'll appreciate the fact that this device can shut off automatically and that it has a reverse mode you can use in case there's a paper jam. Also, the small size makes this shredder very appealing. However, the SC170 is not the shredder to get if you need a device with a lot of special features such as the ability to destroy multimedia items. For what it is - a small paper shredder meant for personal use - the SC170 is great. If it sounds right for you, be sure to check it out.

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