InnoDesk Handheld Paper Shredder--Killed By DuraLEAK Batteries!
Originally recorded November 19, 2025.
This is the last one of these that I have from InnoDesk, this one being a paper shredder. I used to actually use this from time to time at the old apartment as we didn't have anything else. It's a long, slow process. It's a strip-cut shredder, not crosscut, so it's not the most "secure" shredder out there. Nor was it designed to be, I mean, come on, it runs on 4 AA batteries, how good could this really be? You have to fold a pice of paper in half for it to fit through this thing. (I think my sister has a Fellowes desktop shredder but it runs on 120 volts. Has a small basket to catch the chaff and also requires the paper be folder in half to fit through. Also basically useless.)
Sadly, this unit was killed by DuraLEAK batteries! Well I guess we can say it's my own fault for leaving them in there, but they failed spectacularly. And by that I mean it rendered the unit inoperable. It's a shame it died that way. I tried scraping the battery contacts and also got rid of much of the corrosion with vinegar, but to no avail.
I haven't invest the time into this unit, and don't plan on doing so. Its performance was something to write home about--to complain about how bad it was, especially when the batteries became weak.
I've been around the block with paper shredders. These days, most cheap ones have universal motors. They are loud and whiny and struggle the more you try to feed through them. I went through a cheap one, the gears in it shattered. Then went through another one which still works but I grew tired of it. Finally I found the gold standard in paper shredders, one with an induction motor. This unit has none of the aforementioned problems. it will take whatever you throw at it and ask for more. And it also has high tolerance to overheating, generally won't even after extended runs. After you've pooped out two universal motor ones, this one is still going. Feed it more paper, it doesn't bog down or complain, just takes it. You can see more about that unit below. As of 2025, I have owned it for 12 years and it hasn't given a stitch of trouble. How you find out if a paper shredder has a universal motor or induction motor is a great question and most times, they don't tell you. Higher priced units would be more apt to contain an induction motor. Price makes a difference with paper shredders, it pays to spend on them.
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