Clipper Machine Advice

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.

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.

The plastic lever on the blade drive assembly locks into the cutting blade and drives it backwards and forwards.

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.

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.

On average if a groomer is clipping 8 dogs a day, the hinge assembly will probably need replacing every 16 weeks.

On average if a groomer is clipping 8 dogs a day, the blade drive assembly will probably need replacing every 6 - 8 weeks.

When replacing the hinge assembly, make sure that the screws are secure because if they are too loose the clipper blade will not cut correctly or not at all

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).

It is not advisable to try to adjust the ears on the socket to enable the clipper blade to fit the hinge assembly, because 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.

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.

We always adjust the socket on your newly sharpened clipper blade to fit onto our new hinge assembly to ensure a perfect fit (assuming you use the clipper blade on the machine you stipulated on our order form). 

If your newly sharpened clipper blades rattle when they are returned,we would strongly recommend that you fit a new hinge assembly. As previously mentioned, you must ensure that there is a snug fit between the clipper blade socket and the hinge assembly.