Precious plastic S01E02: Hack a 12-sheet paper shredder for cutting recycled plastics

[@Tappit333]

I would be tempted to take out every other spacer between the blades, having two blades directly next to each other, making them twice as thick, then re-build a larger feed hole frame. With the shorter width cutting area may reduce any bending as larger plastic goes through. Also, replace the nylon gears on the motor with metal. Then after building the new macho shredder, I would shred the failed shredders. Or, I could save up big time for a precious plastic shredder kit. Excellent video's, you have saved many who would have wasted time and money.

[@simonlinser8286]

does anyone else think this guy must be ahead of his time. like the number of videos he has, everything is stuff i want to do, but he actually knows what he's doing. sometimes guys like this just are awesome, like man i can understand what he's saying but this is on another level. i think vuaeco is one of my heroes. vuaeco this video is old, but i comment on old videos. if you read this, can you build some wind generators and show us how you would do it.

[@justvideos1883]

I use the same process to recycle my plastic. What I would suggest you to do with your good shredder is to opperate it upside down and running in reverse. The bigger opening is then on the right side. One thing to consider tho is that you'll have to cut the opening where the paper used to be fed to let the plastic fall in the bin.

[@anibalberrios3427]

I had the same thought. Like people should connect and change everything.

[@chonejone1911]

Good job My question is could you shred plastic bags in the smaller ones ? Thanks

[@1FishinAddict]

thinking of modding one to a gear box and beefier motor to grind up used PLA prints

[@davidwoodley8261]

Couldn't you make it that it goes through one Shredder directly into another one , in other words place a Shredder ontop of another ?

[@vuaeco]

I think that's a great idea and it is possible.

[@zahsluanbrew8666]

@@vuaeco kiddng me kitten

[@usarlevin2154]

Would it shred PVC or ABS plastic ?

[@zeroxxx321]

If you got an old drill try upsizing the motor in the smaller shredder and you could also Make a pass in the smaller shredder and then go into the 16 blade after Maybe you could stack them on top of each other we will see what you do as always good hacks👍👍👍

[@jonathanforehand9999]

How long would it last if used often

[@billjackson6501]

Could a selection of gearbox parts ,the gears,be used to make a plastic shredder?

[@Nicole-tn7no]

Can you do a video of how to connect multiple shredder blades together? Like take the blades and gears from a 16 sheet shredder and add them to another 16 sheet shredder? Maybe remove motor from 16+ sheet shredder and remove blades from 2+ shredders, put them all together

[@workinalday4351]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6mVcoWDZb2bjbM

[@davefechtel1670]

Stack the small shredders in series.

[@vuaeco]

Love that idea!

[@gene8194]

You could try plastic vacum packaging. Its everywhere. It could be a great recycling project.

[@vuaeco]

Isn't that a different kind of plastic? LDPE?

[@gene8194]

@@vuaeco I don't know, but all plastic is reusable in some form. Isn't it?

[@vuaeco]

@@gene8194 Yes, as long as they are the same type, they can be remelted and molded into new parts.

[@gene8194]

@@vuaeco now the question is how to figure out what type they are? How to sort them.

[@hdpe]

@@gene8194 most thermoplastics can be reused by melting and reforming, but thermosets are more tricky to use, and any mixes make it much much trickier (melt temperatures, unpredictable additives, unknown toxic fumes etc.) There are tests you could do to figure out what sort of plastic this vac-pac is. Often, this is a mix of polyamide and polyethylene, you should be able to melt it and bond it together, but careful with the fumes. The melting temp differences between these two is quite big, so you may have mixed results. Post some videos if you make any discoveries!

[@hansdegroot8549]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Please more information on models and prices.

[@DAS-Videos]

I can see the one with the larger motor is Pens and Gear, a Walmart brand. About $98 dollars.

[@Cezary.c]

Could you make another video showing steps on how you rewired the paper shredder.

[@mrgreenswelding2853]

The paper feeder part should come out by the looks. Try pressing it out.

[@coondogtheman]

I say get a 20 sheet shredder and hack it.

[@vuaeco]

Problem is, it's hella expensive and so hard to find.

[@hansdegroot8549]

@@vuaeco What's the price of the 16 sheet shredder?

[@tims8603]

I was hoping this would work, bummer.

[@chrishayes5755]

bro rip out that junk motor and drop a garage door opener motor / washing machine motor on that.

[@MaplejuiceVideos]

I don't know motors very well but I do have a bunch of vacuum cleaner ones, is that worthy of a motor swap?

[@mabul513]

Use as rock tumbler. Chop bottle up better might chop easier. But rock roller easily. Waste best from printer roller

[@popinmo]

You sure I'm trying to find a way to recycle mass amounts of hdpe

[@benediktbeck8480]

@@popinmo Found anything?

[@popinmo]

@@benediktbeck8480 do not use a burr grinder

[@benediktbeck8480]

@@popinmo Good to know :D Seems like there are some really powerful shredders like the fellowes powershred line. Some one from the comments is "hacking" one to recycle Plastics. The bigger ones they offer look really industrial. For sure is worth a look

[@youthised58]

That 3 second delay will seem like hours should you get your fingers caught in the cutters!!! At least use something to hold the the plastic instead of your fingers. LOL

[@vuaeco]

It looks close in the video but it's quite a distance in reality.

[@ArcticSeraph]

Just don't put your fingers in the moving blades and they won't get caught.

[@macbaar6073]

Freeze the plastic...

[@sorbetingle]

try flattening the milk container by running over them with your car wheels, then they will fit in the 16 paper shredder…….or get your wife to jump up n down on them if she ever gets mad at u....holdup, we av not seen mrs eco for ages. and I thought I saw blood stains on the cutter blades ;)

[@vuaeco]

Jumping wife sounds like a good idea! You have good imagination, Andrew.

[@michellepernula872]

Then you dump shredded petroleum into the ocean huh!!

[@vuaeco]

You didn't realize plastic was made from petroleum?

[@philiptownsend4026]

I would use something like this for plastic kitchen waste to be able to get bore plastic into the plastic recycle bin. Ours isn't big enough yet is mostly filled with air when filled, small shreds might be a denser load in the bin. I would also want to shred corrugated cardboard boxes for the same reason.