Aurora AS800CD Cross Cut Paper Shredder with 8 Sheet Capacity and Large Waste Bin, Black

UPDATE: It's now nearly a year and a half since the original review, and the shredder is still going strong. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!The shredder arrived in a securely packaged box and at first glance looks very nicely designed. The basket is a gloss black with a stylish little see-through window to let you know how full it is getting. The top is a matt-black with a clear, well laid out set of holes for shredding stuff!I had built up quite a pile of bank statements, etc., for shredding so eagerly got to work when this arrived. The METAL blades (not plastic like some other, cheaper shredders) make an awesome `shredding' noise and it seems perfectly happy with about 4 sheets at a time, shredding and cross-cutting with no problems at all. The packaging does advertise that it can take 8 sheets, but when I tried 8 (using thin, cheapish printer paper) it was obvious that the motor was straining quite considerably - it really slowed down and the cross-cut did not work particularly well. However, it DID manage it and didn't die. I will probably keep to just a couple of sheets at a time.There is a separate slot for shredding CDs / DVDs. This easily crunches up 1x CD at a time, tearing it into four strips (no cross-cut on the CD shredder). I like that it is separate to the main shredder as I won't feel too apprehensive about ruining the paper-cutting blades by putting CDs in them. My only niggle with this is that the CDs fall into the same bin as the paper (there isn't a separate bit to `catch' them), meaning the CDs have to be picked out if you want to recycle the paper/use it as hamster bedding..., and similarly with any credit cards you shred through the main blades. Still, there is no way CDs or credit cards are readable after going through this beast!What you can't see from the images, are that along the front edge of the main shredder hole, there is a line of useful icons which let you know what you should not put in the shredder:- No ties- No Small children or toys- No shirts- No aerosol cans- No screwdrivers- No fingersI am glad of this as it will help me avoid potentially embarrassing mistakes...Lastly, it could be a little bit easier to get the paper into the main shredder -the grey handle/safety bit means that you can't shove the paper in vertically downward, and have to feed it a bit more carefully at a slight angle. After a couple of attempts however, you get used to this. Overall, despite a couple of minor points, it is sturdy and looks pretty snazzy in the home office, and I find myself looking for things continually just to get that satisfying crunchy shreddy noise!! Recommended.

This is a good, well built and undemanding shredder. It has been working for the last three years through regular weekly shredding routine. No problems experienced what so ever. Very little service has been done to it over the last three years, but it still goes strong...A couple of times I deliberately overloaded it by choking with thick bundles of paper. It stopped working as expected - of course if you abuse the equipment. After cutting off the power though it resumes its normal service. It safely shreds up to four normal thickness paper sheets and any type CD. Excellent!It is also reasonably priced in comparison with its competitors and recommended to anyone with regular small office shredding volume requirements.

As with all shredders, it is necessary to pay special attention to the manufacturers instructions. All shredders can be temperamental if used in the wrong way.This shredder works well, when used correctly. I am cautious with shredders, so I have only been feeding it up to 5 x 80gsm sheets, which it eats fine. It will eat credit cards and cds/dvds as well. What impresses me, is how quickly it eats paper. Some shredders can be slow, but this one is fast. Pay particilar attention though, when replacing the shredder on top of the bin. If you put it round the wrong way, the shredder won't work. You must make sure it sits flush with the bucket! It's not rocket science, just common sense.Noise wise, it isn't the quietest on the market, but at the price, it's great value and seems to work well. I have shredded a mound of stuff in the last day and it's worked fine. If it gets too hot, it will cut out and you'll have to leave it for about an hour to cool down, before recommencing again.It's a good size too... Fits between two desks and will take a lot of paper before emptying the bucket.This is a quality made shredder that is good value for money and will last if used correctly.UPDATE...October, 2019 (7 years and 3 months since purchase). Incredibly this machine is still going strong!! I still use the machine, on average three to four times a week. It still shreds perfectly. Still shreds plastic cards and DVDs. I maintain it, using the recommended lubrication sheets, about every 6 - 8 months. Incredible machine. Far out weighed the length of time I thought I'd get from it!

Recieved this recently and i have to say i am very pleased with my purchase, and i will consider buying more for a few friends who i know are in need of a relaiable shredder.Firsty i think it looks really nice - it has a very shiny black and silver finish which you can just about see in the photos, in reality this looks even better and its quite eyecatching.I have shredded all of the junk mail that had built up, and the shredder ate it all without flinching.It seems quieter than i had expected also, the handle is a nice touch and makes emptying easy. I also like the separate slot for shredding CD's which should protect the main shredder although i haven't had need to shred CD's.On the downside i guess the bin could be a little bigger, but the viewing window allows you to see whats going on there - so really it's not an issue.

This product says it shreds credit cards, cds, etc as well as paper. Never tried cds but tried to shred a credit card in the area it says to use and it jammed. Its now unusable. Its had hardly any use since it was purchased and now have to throw it out. Not happy.