| The Formax FD 8500CC is a formidable machine that | | | | 3. We like a machine that is easy to use and the FD |
| offers busy offices FACTA-compliant shredding and | | | | 8500CC really shines in that regard. Even the |
| great capacity. Here are a few of the strengths and | | | | neophytes among us found this machine, with its LED |
| weaknesses of the FD 8500CC. | | | | control panel, as easy as pie to operate. Of special |
| | | | note are the optical sensor enabled automatic start |
| 1. The FD 8500CC offers you and your business | | | | stop function (that allows for "walk away" use), and |
| Level 3 cross cut security shredding, meaning that it | | | | the manual button for lighter materials that the |
| complies with recent federal regulations that were | | | | sensors might not pick up on. |
| passed to combat consumer fraud and ID theft. | | | | 4. Shredder maintenance is not rocket science, but it |
| According to these laws, any business that handles | | | | is something that every shredder needs and that all |
| confidential personal, health, and/or financial | | | | users should be aware of. The FD 8500CC makes it |
| information must properly destroy these types of | | | | simple with a special indicator light that lets you know |
| documents when throwing them away. Shredding | | | | when the cutting heads need oiling, and Formax even |
| them at a security level of 3 is the best and easiest | | | | offers an optional add-on oiling system to make it |
| way to comply with these regulations, and it's | | | | even easier. There is also an automatic cleaning mode |
| important to note that failure to do so may result in | | | | wherein you can put the motor into reverse to clear |
| big fines and/or opens your business up to the | | | | the blades of paper particles that collect over time. |
| possibility of a civil suit. | | | | 5. The FD 8500CC also has some great safety |
| 2. The FD 8500CC is a pretty powerful shredder with | | | | features, such as automatic power cutoff when the |
| a specially geared motor that is purported to operate | | | | bin door is open, or when the waste box needs |
| at 33 feet per minute and to give you the ability to | | | | emptying. It also has a circuit breaker to keep |
| shred 18 sheets per pass. We didn't have any | | | | electrical issues at bay and an automatic reverse |
| problems with the machine operating at (or very | | | | mode when the machine senses a paper jam. |
| close to) the stated capacity, but your mileage may | | | | Weaknesses: |
| vary (as it were), depending on such factors as the | | | | |
| level of humidity where you live, the quality of your | | | | 1. At 242 pounds, the FD 8500CC is a fairly weighty |
| electrical system, and the thickness of the paper | | | | machine. Though it does come on casters for easy |
| stock that you are shredding. The cutting blades are | | | | moving about the office, you will need a few people |
| heat treated solid steel (and under lifetime warranty), | | | | to help get it to its destination when it is shipped. |
| and dealt with paper clips and staples with no | | | | 2. Though the FD 8500CC has thermal protection to |
| problems whatsoever. We also liked the extra wide | | | | keep from the motor from overheating, you will |
| 16 inch paper feed which gives you the ability to not | | | | probably want to make sure that you stay within the |
| only shred the most common paper sizes, but can fit | | | | limits of the motor, as you would with any shredder. |
| larger custom sheets as well. | | | | |