Dahle 20394 Level 6 Cross Cut High Security Paper Shredder Review

As a Level 6 security machine that gives the user a relatively high capacity, the 20394 is designed as a shredding solution for government agencies, government contractors, or for any organization where the very highest security available is a priority. We looked at the 20394's features and compiled a list of what we see as its strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths:

1. The chief strength of the 20394 is its ability to shred documents at a Level 6 security standard. Level 6 is the highest security available and is recommended or required for the military and many other government agencies and their contractors. It is this type of shredder that is used by the Departments of Defense and Homeland security, and the 20394 meets the National Security Agency's approval for NSA/CSS Specification 02-01. Long story short, once a document does through the 20394, you can rest assured that it will never be read again.

   
   

2. Level 6 security means that the 20394 reduces a sheet of paper to an astounding 15,000 particles (1mm by 4.7mm). This is made possible by two perfectly matched cutting cylinders milled out of a single bar of the finest German steel. The cylinders are run by a chain and gear mechanism that prevents any sort of slippage and greatly reduces the chance of a paper jam. This design greatly reduces any kind of bar flexing, and increases durability.
3. The feed opening of the 20394 is 16 inches wide, and is designed to not only handle just about any of the most used paper sizes (letter, legal, etc) but also to easily accommodate computer printout size sheets or tabloid sized documents.
4. The sheet capacity of the 20394 is, for such a high security machine, a rather impressive 18 sheets at a time. Its two horsepower motor also allows it to run at a pretty decent speed of 35 feet per minute. These are great numbers for a Level 6 shredder.

   
   

5. The 20394 is very easy to operate and includes safety features such as Auto shutoff when the cabinet door is opened, and an automatic reverse in case you try to overfeed the machine. There is also a setting for auto on/off and the machine will let you know (and turn itself off) when the shred bag is full.
6. The casters are a very nice feature, considering that this machine weighs in at around 390 lbs.

Weaknesses:

1. Though it's hard to argue with having the level of security that is the highest available on the market, this machine might be considered overkill for the vast majority of businesses in the private sector. The sheet capacity is high for a Level 6 machine, but if you and your business are simply looking to become FACTA compliant where it concerns the shredding of the private information of your clients, customers and employees, you will get along just fine (and likely enjoy higher capacity and thus productivity) with one of Dahle's Levels 3-5 security level machines.
2. This is a weighty machine, and when it arrives, you would be well advised to have some help getting it off the truck and into its final destination. The casters will, of course, make that whole process a little easier.

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