Clipper life span, and comparison

[JenEM]

So my Andis AGC 2-Speed clippers sound like they’re nearing the end of their life. There’s a distinct rattle and shake, a bit of an odd noise, and they’re not clipping like they used to, even with fresh blades. They’re…7? 8? years old now. Is this a “normal” lifespan for clippers? Should I be expecting them to be kicking the bucket now, or is it worth trying to send them out to be serviced?

In looking at replacement clippers, since I’ve really loved these, I see that Andis markets a pet-targeted set of clippers, that appear to be exactly the same, just with a 10-blade, for significantly less expense. I’ve got a pair of blades that have been used for one trace clip this season, so it’s not exactly like I need new blades, just possibly new clippers. Are these the bargain I want them to be, or are these not going to hold up to clipping a horse? (One TB, not particularly furry, clipped 2-3 times during the winter, socks/whiskers during the year.)

[x]

May be just the drive wearing out; they do do that on the AGC-2 clippers. Oftentimes they sell a spare with the clippers. It is a replaceable part that is easily done in just a minute or two. I’ve done it with mine.

[Beverley]

I’m afraid I’d be no help. I am still waiting for my 38 year old Sunbeam clippers to die. I did wear out a $15 small Sears clipper acquired in the 70s- in the early 90s they started sparking one day and I took that as a sign! Current Osters date from the 90s. I suppose I ought to just pony up and buy something new, but I’m not doing a lot of clipping these days so I haven’t.

[JenEM]

[QUOTE=x;7991746]
May be just the drive wearing out; they do do that on the AGC-2 clippers. Oftentimes they sell a spare with the clippers. It is a replaceable part that is easily done in just a minute or two. I’ve done it with mine.[/QUOTE]

Ahhh, I do remember replacing the one in mine once, with the spare that came with them. I’ll definitely try that before giving up on them, looks like an under-$10 fix if it works! Thanks!

[IFG]

Mine were running hot, and I sent mine back to Andis for servicing, and for $75 they replaced the motor, the cord, and sharpened the blades. Clippers run like new. Call them, price may have gone up, but much cheaper than new clippers.

[TwoDreamRides]

Definitely investigate your blade drive. I clip regularly with Andis and find that the blade drive needs to be replaced every 6-8 clips. If you’re just doing 1 horse once or twice a year, you’re probably at that threshold.

You can send to Andis for servicing - they are based out of WI. Or, my local guy (Atlanta, GA) takes mail-in’s and I can vouch for him being awesome and inexpensive: cjsgrooomingtools.com

[DaniW]

Oster replaced my 30 year old dog clippers with a new model for about $60.

[Simbalism]

I have a pair of small Osters that I use for clipping whiskers, ears, and bridle paths and they have to be at least 25yo. I clean and oil them after each use and have had them “tuned up” a few times in the past and they still work great. My barn buddy has a set of the Andis 2 speed and they are about 8-9 years old and still working great. No small feat as her horse is a 17h Fresian cross that grows hair like a wooly mammoth.

[scheherazadetbmare]

I have to give away my Oster clippers because they last so long. I’ve given them away over decades. They last and last, and then I decide I want a new one when a sale is on, so I give away the old one and buy a new one.

Had one set of andis and did not like them, so gave those away years ago when they were still new.

[JenEM]

All righty, thanks to SO’s Amazon Prime, new blade drive should be here quickly, so I should be able to figure out by this weekend whether or not that’s the cause of my problems! Thanks for all the help, everyone, if folks have decades old clippers, I’m not giving up on these without a little more fight.

[goodhors]

I never liked the Andis way back, so never bought any of their updated products since. I expect that just having the service guy check them out will be lots cheaper than buying new.

I use elderly clippers, big Sunbeam in red plastic, given to me for free since they no longer can replace the brushes. Three years of use, body clipping, still going quite well. Red case ones were old when I got my black plastic Sunbeam big clilppers over 40 years ago! Black one is also running just great, love the power of single speed, takes a lot longer to get hot body clipping, than the variable speed models. Have a second set of black ones, purchased cheap used, which got a new cord, tinkered with at clipper repair, work just fine now. If either of them quit working, Jeffers Equine sells new motors inexpensively. I will have husband replace the motor and keep on using them. He body clips the competition horses, usually 4-5 on a day off. So having several sets to rotate while letting the hot ones cool down, comes in real handy. Prevents blades losing “their temper” with heat and dulling up fast. Usually will allow clipping with one set of blades working fine on 2 each, CLEAN horses before needing to be changed for another sharp set of blades.

Then there are the other elderly Oster A-2 and A-5 clippers, which also have been in use here for years. No issues with then that a little oil and a new set of blades won’t fix. I did have to get one lever that moves the blades replaced once, has been fine since. I got them used, so not sure how old they are. I know the A-2 can’t be fixed, again they quit making new brushes for them. Darn, I have so many A-2 blades! I use these smaller clippers on the horses for bridlepaths, heads, never did body clipping with them though. They also are for clipping the large dog about every six weeks in warm weather. She needs her hair now for winter! Do a good job on everything I need clipped.

[KitKat987]

I had my Clipmasters for 25 years. Ran as good as the day I bought them until I was clipping one night and we had a huge power surge that fried them. The utility company bought me new ones.

[Rosem]

My opinion…

Get an Oster clipmaster and an A5 for tight spots.
Yes the technology is old, Yes they are heavy, However, they were made to be repaired not replaced a week after the warranty runs out.
The parts are available and if you take care of them and learn to maintain them yourself they will last the rest of your horse owning life.

KK I hope you kept the old pair, for parts.