HINGE ASSEMBLY
On average if a groomer is clipping 8 dogs a day, the hinge assembly will probably need replacing every 16 weeks.
The ears on the clipper blade socket are constantly rubbing against the metal hinge assembly which consequently causes wear on both the socket and hinge assembly. As previously mentioned there must be a snug fit between the clipper blade socket and the hinge assembly or the clipper blade will eventually rattle.
If you try to adjust the ears on the socket to enable the clipper blade to fit on your worn hinge assembly, you will risk breakage which will render the clipper blade redundant until you get the socket replaced by a professional. The best person to adjust clipper blade sockets is an experienced bladesmith because he has the relevant tools and should the socket snap, he has spares. In addition, if the screws securing the hinge assembly are loose, this will cause movement and the clipper blade will not cut correctly or not at all.
We always adjust clipper blades on a new hinge assembly to ensure a perfect fit (assuming you use the clipper blade on the machine you stipulated on our order form). I
IIf your newly sharpened clipper blades rattle when they are returned, we would strongly recommend that you fit a new hinge assembly.
MACHINE ADVICE
SWAPPING SMALL CLIPPER BLADES BETWEEN DIFFERENT MACHINES
Although clipper manufacturers claim that their clipper blades are universal (fit other clipper machines), they work best on the clipper machine they were designed for.
The socket (clipper blade), the hinge assembly and blade drive assembly (clipper machine) vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you are using different brands of clipper blades on different brands of machines there will not be a perfect fit.
Best practice would be to use a clipper machine and clipper blades made by the same manufacturer, this will ensure perfect fit and best performance. If this is not feasible, we would suggest that you assign individual clipper blades to a particular machine and use them only on that chosen clipper machine. You could mark the clipper machine and corresponding clipper blades with some nail varnish, then it will be clear which clipper blades should be used on which clipper machine.
Because hinge assemblies and blade sockets differ, swapping clipper blades between different machines will over time, cause the socket ears to spread, resulting in rattling.
On our order form we ask you what type of clipper machine you use, this is because we test your newly sharpened clipper blades on the same machine that you have stipulated you use.
Note - you must never use a sharpener who does not ask you which clipper machine you use.
BLADE DRIVE ASSEMBLY / BLADE LEVER
On average if a groomer is clipping 8 dogs a day, the blade drive assembly will probably need replacing every 6 - 8 weeks.
Problems occur because the black plastic lever is constantly rubbing against the metal cutting blade so consequently the plastic will gradually wear away. Once the lever is worn, the cutting blade won’t be driven side to side as much as it should.
We always test clipper blades on a new blade drive assembly to ensure a perfect fit (assuming you use the clipper blade on the machine you stipulated on our order form).
If your blade drive assembly is worn, your newly sharpened clipper blades will not cut because the cutter blade is not being pushed along the whole width of the clipper blade ( it is more noticeable on blades where the teeth are further apart – 3,4 5 & 7) . If this is the case we would strongly recommend that you replace your blade drive assembly.
The hinge assembly secures the clipper blade to the clipper machine. If the hinge assembly is not regularly replaced, your clipper blades will start to rattle on your clipper machine.
The blade drive assembly locks into the cutting blade and drives it backwards and forwards. If the blade drive assembly is not regularly replaced, the clipper blade will leave tram lines in the coat, pull at the hair, the clipper machine will sound noisier and the clipper blade will eventually stop cutting.
