Clipping sorry this has been done to death...

A

Albertina

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Ok just a couple of questions with regard to clipping & clippers!

1. How long should a set of blades stay sharp?
2. How do you know if you have the correct tension on the blades or more to the point how do you know ir you have the blades to tight?

The reason that I ask is that I have clipped Albert (see sig) today, well half clipped him he has head neck & shoulders done and I have made it neat and tidy but I didn't want to go any further as my blades went blunt so I am going to send them for sharpening then finish the rest.

The clippers are brand new last year and only fully clipped Albert once last year and a Sec D with a chaser so hasn't done that much and today done half an Albert

I know he's a big boy with a lot of hair but I thought the blades would stay sharper for longer than that.

Any info advice appriciated
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I agree I would expect them to stay sharper a little longer though it really depends on the blades, the horses coats that you clipped etc etc. Check your tension, there should be instructions with your clippers that tell you clearly how to set this and you need to check it is set correctly prior to clipping and during to see it is being maintained. If in doubt, call Peasridge, you can find their details on the web, they will prob be able to tell you what the setting for your particular clippers should be and you can also get them to sharpen your blades. Good luck!
 
To be honest your blades should have been ok to have completed that clip, I would think that they've gone blunt through the tension being set too tight. Is there anyone you know who clips who can show you how tight to set the blades? It's difficult to describe because it's done by listening. I have the clippers running, tighten them up until I hear the motor working a little harder & then back off about a turn & a half on the tensioning nut. It's something you just get used to doing.

Also ensure you regularly oil your blades while you're clipping & also rest the clippers for the blades to cool. Heat does not do the sharpness of the blades any good.

Main tip though is buy yourself another set of blades so you've got one set in the clippers & another sharp set waiting. That way you'll always be able to finish a clip.
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The vastly experienced Wolseley rep I deal with says all clippers can be tensioned in the same way, get them running, slowly turn up the tension and as soon as you here the change in the noise (it tends to go deeper) stop turning, and start clipping.
 
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To be honest your blades should have been ok to have completed that clip, I would think that they've gone blunt through the tension being set too tight. Is there anyone you know who clips who can show you how tight to set the blades? It's difficult to describe because it's done by listening. I have the clippers running, tighten them up until I hear the motor working a little harder & then back off about a turn & a half on the tensioning nut. It's something you just get used to doing.

Also ensure you regularly oil your blades while you're clipping & also rest the clippers for the blades to cool. Heat does not do the sharpness of the blades any good.

Main tip though is buy yourself another set of blades so you've got one set in the clippers & another sharp set waiting. That way you'll always be able to finish a clip.
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Whilst I would endorse most of the above, BE AWARE! The tighten them up until the motor is working harder then back off a turn and a half is fine if using a "Lister" clipper. Every week I get clippers back, where well meaning people have advised friends and colleagues to "Tighten it down then back it off a turn and a half". If you follow this instruction with many makes, you will cause excess heat, lose the edge of your blades quicker and strain your motor. For example, on a Wolseley clipper, I reccomend, putting the blades on, then dropping the spring onto the pin, then tighten the nut until you feel it "touch" the spring. Start the clipper and the blades will sound "loose", adjust the tension down and listen, not to the motor, but to the blades.. Turn the tension up and down about half a turn and you will hear the "noise" change. This is caused by the fact that when blades are correctly sharpened/new, they are concave. You are pushing the centre of the blades together as you tighten the tension and at the point where all the teeth are rubbing together, this is when the sound changes and they should clip fine. This then means you have some more adjustment as they wear. At the point the tension needs to be too tight, its time for a sharpening.

Also with regard to oil!!.. Always use a "proper" oil, Wolseley clipper oil, Liveryman, Lister, Gold Label, pick one that is made by a firm that makes clippers wherever possible. Avoid at all costs WD40/Plus gas/Diesel etc etc. All of these take the edge off and kill your clipper.

Also, it is definitely worth having a "spare set", in case your main ones go blunt, or you drop them and break some teeth. (the steel used to make good quality blades, is very hard, but very brittle, so always keep your blades well wrapped, especially when sending for sharpening.)

If you want any more advice, please message me, I dont ride and I dont clip, but I have been repairing clippers for 14 years and am glad to be of help.

Ian
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Thank you. My clipper oil has finished which I purchased with blades. I will now make sure I buy proper oil and not WD40 as I was planning to do.
 
You are more than welcome, I am not worried whether you use clippers from my firm or not, just looking to make things less stressful whatever you are using to clip.

Safe riding to all

Ian (The Engineer)
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Ok my blades have arrived back all nice and sharp!!

Tomorrow is finish off the clip day, pics wiil be up on photo gallery tomorrow if anyone wants a laugh!!!

Thanks for all your advise
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