I had the same problem with my Novitech Model: PS-026/B2 only working in reverse but not forward. So I decided to take it apart and see if I could find any loose wires, broken parts etc. Keep in mind I am not a paper shredder mechanic, but I was able to fix it, at least for the time being, and here is how:
1. Unplug the machine, and I mean it. Make sure you unplug the machine before you start any fixin'. Unplug the machine!
2. I unscrewed the 7 screws located at the bottom of the case
3. I carefully separated the cases and made sure I did not allow any tension on the few wires that span the case halves
4. With the can of electronics duster I use for my computer keyboard, I sprayed all of the electric contacts, making sure I did not spray any of the grease at the gears. I poked the straw in all of the switch housings and the motor.
5. If you feel a little adventurous, you can remove the 6 screws that hold the cover and safety switch in place. At this point pay attention to how the safety switch arm is positioned ( take a picture if you have to) so it will be in the correct position during assembly. Remove the cover and look for anything that could be caught in the shredders. Remove any foreign matter with tweezers or needle nose pliers. Replace the safety switch and cover, make sure the switch arm is in the same position before you took it apart.
6. Put the two case halves together making sure there are no wires pinched inbetween. Put the seven screws back where they belong and tighten snugly ( do not over tighten cause you will break the plastic, guaranteed!)
7. Place the machine on the waste bucket and plug it in. And voila the motor should start buzzing and humming like it was brand new.
Solution 1 worked for me. I unscrewed all 7 screws, pulled apart the cover carefully. Beware, there are wires attached. you can lay it side by side.
The activator is the white plastic thing. You need to make sure that it sticks out and as the paper goes from the top, through the cover, it hits the white activator.
At the end of the white activator, you see it has some plastic to push on the metal strip. This engages the forward motion. You'll here a click if you test the paper going through. This click is the sound of telling the motor to roll forward.
I think it got knocked out of place when I tried to insert a CD into it. Luckily, I didn't buy another shredder because of the Best Solution in this forum. So thanks for your help!
I finally managed to get it open when I worked out that the 7th screw is hidden under the NoviTech sticker, and yep, the problem was the white plastic "activator" that had become out of position and was no longer engaging the metal strip. Thanks for these instructions -- saved me from having to buy a new shredder (and saved the landfill from another chunk of metal and plastic!)I finally managed to get it open when I worked out that the 7th screw is hidden under the NoviTech sticker, and yep, the problem was the white plastic "activator" that had become out of position and was no longer engaging the metal strip. Thanks for these instructions -- saved me from having to buy a new shredder (and saved the landfill from another chunk of metal and plastic!)
thank you Bernard - couple hours later - got it fixed (learned how to magnetize a screwdriver along the way) TY!thank you Bernard - couple hours later - got it fixed (learned how to magnetize a screwdriver along the way) TY!
Answers & Comments
I had the same problem with my Novitech Model: PS-026/B2 only working in reverse but not forward. So I decided to take it apart and see if I could find any loose wires, broken parts etc. Keep in mind I am not a paper shredder mechanic, but I was able to fix it, at least for the time being, and here is how:
1. Unplug the machine, and I mean it. Make sure you unplug the machine before you start any fixin'. Unplug the machine!
2. I unscrewed the 7 screws located at the bottom of the case
3. I carefully separated the cases and made sure I did not allow any tension on the few wires that span the case halves
4. With the can of electronics duster I use for my computer keyboard, I sprayed all of the electric contacts, making sure I did not spray any of the grease at the gears. I poked the straw in all of the switch housings and the motor.
5. If you feel a little adventurous, you can remove the 6 screws that hold the cover and safety switch in place. At this point pay attention to how the safety switch arm is positioned ( take a picture if you have to) so it will be in the correct position during assembly. Remove the cover and look for anything that could be caught in the shredders. Remove any foreign matter with tweezers or needle nose pliers. Replace the safety switch and cover, make sure the switch arm is in the same position before you took it apart.
6. Put the two case halves together making sure there are no wires pinched inbetween. Put the seven screws back where they belong and tighten snugly ( do not over tighten cause you will break the plastic, guaranteed!)
7. Place the machine on the waste bucket and plug it in. And voila the motor should start buzzing and humming like it was brand new.
Call Novitech at 1-866-238-2490 for parts.
Solution 1 worked for me. I unscrewed all 7 screws, pulled apart the cover carefully. Beware, there are wires attached. you can lay it side by side.
The activator is the white plastic thing. You need to make sure that it sticks out and as the paper goes from the top, through the cover, it hits the white activator.
At the end of the white activator, you see it has some plastic to push on the metal strip. This engages the forward motion. You'll here a click if you test the paper going through. This click is the sound of telling the motor to roll forward.
I think it got knocked out of place when I tried to insert a CD into it. Luckily, I didn't buy another shredder because of the Best Solution in this forum. So thanks for your help!
I finally managed to get it open when I worked out that the 7th screw is hidden under the NoviTech sticker, and yep, the problem was the white plastic "activator" that had become out of position and was no longer engaging the metal strip. Thanks for these instructions -- saved me from having to buy a new shredder (and saved the landfill from another chunk of metal and plastic!)
thank you Bernard - couple hours later - got it fixed (learned how to magnetize a screwdriver along the way) TY!