Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this machine slower than the 50464 if it is the bigger model?
Dahle rates the 50514 at 16 ft/min against 20 ft/min for the 50464. That is deliberate gearing: a slower cylinder speed produces more torque at the cut, which is what lets the head pull 26 sheets instead of 24 without stalling. On thick stacks the 50514 finishes a pile faster despite the lower linear speed, because you make fewer trips to the feed slot.
How many people can realistically share it?
Dahle positions the 50514 for 5+ users. In a centralized setup the constraint is bin capacity rather than cutting speed - the 38-gallon bin and the continuous-duty motor mean the machine itself will keep up with a floor. Where it stops scaling is when several people arrive at once, since it is still a single-feed machine, not an auto-feed hopper.
Will it shred CDs and DVDs?
Yes. The 50514 uses solid milled cutting cylinders and Dahle rates it O-3 for optical media alongside its P-4 paper rating; credit cards, staples and paper clips are also on Dahle's list. Feed discs one at a time. Do not mix them into a stack of paper - a disc fractures rather than shears and the fragments are what cause jams.
What size bag does the 38-gallon bin take?
Dahle shred bags item #20726, which cover the 31-55 gallon range. That is a different bag from the #20725 used by the 30-gallon office models, so if you run a mixed fleet you need both part numbers on the supply order. Bags are not included with the machine.
Is 141 pounds going to be a problem to install?
It arrives on lockable casters and rolls on a hard floor once it is off the pallet, but getting it off the pallet and over a threshold is a two-person job. The cabinet footprint is 20 x 29 inches and it stands 34.5 inches high, so it fits under a standard counter overhang but needs clear space in front for the bin to swing out.
Does it need a dedicated circuit?
It runs on standard 115 V / 60 Hz office power. Dahle does not publish an amperage figure for this model, so if you are planning a records room with several machines on one circuit, confirm the draw from the rating plate on the unit before you commit to the layout.
What maintenance does it need?
No oiling - the cutting head is designed to run dry. Empty the bin before the waste compacts against the cylinders, which is the single most common cause of premature cylinder wear on department machines. The motor is thermally protected and will shut itself down rather than burn out if it is overloaded.