This shredder is designed as an introductory model but when used properly it will shred quite a bit of tobacco.
Remember to take your time and only shred tobacco that has had the main stem removed.
Learn how to process tobacco at www.FairTradeTobacco.com
Michael Morgason (verified buyers) –
Very easy to use, works very well.
Appears and operates as a quality product.
Steve Willard –
For the price this is a very nice little machine, and one needs something like this to make the most of the ‘whole leaf’ product.
But, you really can’t expect it to be a production machine to pump out pound after pound of tobacco.
These are just my own thoughts, and please feel free to disagree with me.
The device is designed to clamp to a table side. I use a wooden ‘tv table’ and that works pretty well. A more sturdy surface will work better, if it will acommodate the clamp size. I now use two ‘hand-size’ vice grips to stabilize motion on front and back. You could also drill two bolt holes to attach to the bench for an extra solid hold.
The device is very much like a pasta cutter for the tobacco leaf, and it works pretty well for me.
You have to realize that putting the leaf through the cutter, and grinding it through places back to front, up and down, and side to side forces on the device, and you must treat it somewhat gently. That is why I emphasize the most solid mounting you can manage to get best results.
For example, you have a nice leaf, and you have torn out the center spine, so you have half a leaf to feed in. Here is what I do:
* Gently guide the top of the half leaf into the shreder with just a few turns.
* Flip the leaf over so it is away from you as you crank.
* Your leaf is ready to shred. Whether you are approaching from left or right side, use the hand NOT CRANKING on the shaft for more stability.
* Now, gently crank it through. Use ‘feel’ to allow you to go faster if warranted.
* No matter how carefully you feed, you will experience the leaf folding over itself — all of a sudden you have three-ply rather than single thickness.
* You can apply more crank pressure to get through this, but do it gently.
* When your leaf is through, I suggest you do crank backwards to relieve what is in the cutters.
* And, use your finger to pull all the strands from UNDERNEATH the cutters after each leaf. Put what you pull out into a ‘done’ pile.
* And, also too, give the crank a few turns forward and back before your next leaf (clear the bottom again).
Overall this little device has served me well, and am very glad to have it.
Steve
Jeff Tomlinson (verified buyers) –
Fantastic little machine. I was previously using a spaghetti maker, and this is vastly superior, and cuts it much finer. Definitely happy with my purchase and worth the reasonable cost.
NdaCloudzZ (verified buyers) –
Great budget shredder. Knocked out a pound of whole leaf in about 30 minutes. Cut works great as RYO and in my Cob.