clippers question

[denverlynx]

Hi,

I broke down about 3-4 years ago and bought a pair of Oster A5 clippers to groom my cocker spaniel. They have worked great until recently. They started to get stuck going through her hair. So, I had the blades sharpened and performed some maintainance on the clippers. But, the hair is still getting hung up on the blades. This is my first set of clippers. I'm not sure if its the blades that are causing the problems or if its truly a problem with the clippers???

They aren't under warranty anymore and I hate to spend $30 on a new set of blades if its a problem with the clippers. Any tips?

Thanks,
Shawn

[Suz]

hmm theres numerous reasons blades do this - tension isnt right but if they have been sharpened they should have been sorted - they need a good clean - but i expect youve done that!! is the dog really clean and dry when you clip her?

otherwise its a possibility im afraid that the blades knackered youve had it a fair amount of time!! i wouldnt think its the clippers its normally the blades when it does that !

[weezyNollie]

Do you clean the blades on a regular basis? Maybe try buying a new set of blades?

[BassetWonders]

My clippers did that as well, and it wasn't the blades, it was the clippers. What happen in my experience, is my blades pull off, and the clip that holds them on, was wearing down, so it wasn't holding the blades the right way, and when turning the clippers on, they we're vibrating all over the place! So that might be something to think about.

[Ken Nielsen]

I keep blades going forever without sharpening by keeping them well oiled. For storage, I spray them down with WD40 to clean them, then I apply a generous coat of Andis clipper oil, shake them off and wrap them in a cloth for storage indoors in a dry place. When it get them out for use, I spray them down again with WD40 and then apply fresh Andis clipper oil. Then I attach them to the clipper and go to work. Don't let them heat up too much. For two dogs, I take a break and re-oil the blades shaking off the excess.

Oil and cleaning keeps 'em sparkling and working like new year after year. I've had this new set of blades for 15 years and the old Oster clipper is from 1970's. I trimmed my horse with that one. They are both working like new and I expect so for years to come.

[denverlynx]

Hi all -

Thanks for the tips. It has been difficult trying to find assistance for this. I even spoke to woman who cut my hair because her Oster clippers are very similar to the ones I use on my dog. She thought it might be that carbon brush. But, that wasn't worn out yet.

I can sometimes get them to cut for a couple of nice strokes but otherwise I'm messing with them a good amount of time. I've cleaned them up recently and performed some maintanance on them, the clean and dry when I clip her and the blades are usually nice and oiled too.

And since they aren't under warranty I'd have to send them some place in Utah for repairs since I haven't been able to find a local shop. I might stop by a groomer and ask them if they I have a local person to repair clippers. The one thing I haven't tried yet is a new pair of blades. I've been hesitant about that because I hate to drop $30 on blades if I'm going to have the replace the clippers entirely.

Thanks again for the tips!

Shawn

[.Little Texas.]

Oh that reminds me to go order those clippers from the saddlery warehouse for winter this year, not going to sit with scissors and trim the hair off Peter Pan lol...why'd they have to break last year?? Why WHY!! now it's going to cost a lot to buy new...oh well, this time I take care of them and my brother come near them once he's had it!

[Deidre]

Good advice Ken Nielsen and inspiring to know that there is a way to keep the blades sharp without having to have them resharpened after every use although I know that I have been naughty and have clipped dogs without bathing them first and also have clipped dogs with a wet coat which is a no-no as it places alot of stress on the clippers and shortens their lifespan. I guess that one has to be a little more diligent with the oiling which I will be from now on.

Denverlynx - You have had a good run with one set of blades lasting you 3-4 years; I have found that some professional sharperners are not as good as others too so perhaps that may be the reason or the tension hasn't be adhered too properly as Suz has suggested; I would be inclined to try a new set of blades.

[sheplovr]

I had tons of clippers when I had horses many moons ago and I always kept them oiled and wrapped in a towel or cloth so the blades do not rust on u to dull and I never had to replace any blades, get wd40 and spray on them as Ken said the keep the hair cleaned out and wrapped them up for storage and they will stay real good honey. Trust me I could not afford to keep buying with so many horses and every weekend trimming for a horse show and this worked for me also. Good care is the trick sweetie.......

[Camberaoh]

i know this was posted a while ago, but if it isnt the blades which it usually is, it could be your blade drive. I dont use osters i use andi's i dont know how simular the blade drive is but my replacement part is only 3.95 from petedge.com. If its still pulling the hair after you have had your blades sharpened or tried buying new blades i would replace the drive. I groom 5-8 dogs a day so i have to replace mine every 6 months or so. good luck on getting them back working!