poodle3081

The Andis AGC2 are excellent clippers but around $300. Avoid the cheap Andis pet grooming kit.

Avoid the Osters as they run hot and are an out dated design. Go for the Wahl KMs for around $200 http://www.clipperworld.com.au/shop/index....amp;productId=1

Beautiful, clean and blow dryed . The blade was included as bonus so I *didnt* actually pay for it but maybe thats why it was a freebie. I will email the place - their customer service the other day was fantastic so I am sure they will help me out. Do you usually have to send the blades away to be sharpend or what type of places locally do it? You need to send it to a reputable sharpener that specialises in clipper blades. I have know of people who send them to the local sharpening service and the blades ruined. If the place where you purchased sharpens then I would send them back as they will probably do them free of charge.

After thinking I had broke my new clippers - it turns out the #30 blade must be blunt already (after only a little use on 2 dogs feet and face) - as the other blades which are Wahl and Andis are working fine. The #30 is a generic blade so obviously not as good quality - Does that sound right?. I am suprised it wont even cut at all they the others are fine. Many blades even brand names are not as sharp as they could be when new. I have heard of all brands, Wahl, Oster and Andis blades blunt when new. Contact the retailer and they may be able to have it sharpened free of charge.

The Simpson dryer is a fluff type dryer and ideal for low velocity air drying and styling. Dryer such as the Double K, Oldfield and Melbourne Dog Centre dryers are the forced air type, these are generally noisier and are suited to blast drying and blowing out the undercoat. Unfortunately there is not an ideal dryer for all applications. The Melbourne Dog Centre dryers are grossly over priced both with the initial cost and also the servicing charges. The Double K twin motor dryer is the best value on the market for around $500-$600

Contact Clipper World and get them to send you a trade price list. They stock a large range of products and their prices are the cheapest around. http://www.clipperworld.com.au/shop/index....Doc&docId=2

Spoke to Clipper World today and they stock the Troy Calcium Syrup 1 litre for $29.95.

Surface finish is the main issue with plastic baths. Over time the plastic will scratch as it is a soft surface unlike fibreglass which is much harder. This is the main reason why plastic is not used for domestic spa baths as the surface will deteriorate and a rough surface is less hygienic.

Firstly the Oster clipper has an outdated design and is rarely used by professional groomers. It lacks power and will run hot. However it should cut your dog using the #10 blade. If it does not then I suggest the blade is blunt. This is not unusual as blades are factory sharpened and a high percentage will be blunt from new. My suggestion is to sell your clipper on eBay and buy the Wahl KM2 http://www.clipperworld.com.au/shop/index....p;productId=585

Thanks, you don't find it an issue with changing blades and possibly have the clippers not aligned properly? It is quite easy to change blades on the Wahl KM2 and they snap on very easily. As long as you place the blade on the tounge correctly and then snap the blade down (you will have to then run the clippers to get the blade on properly) they will line up fine. When I was clipping I had 4 or more blades (of each size I used) and changed them as often as required, sometimes very often on warmer days and used very regular applications of a cool spray. When finished you then need to clean them thoroughly, spray with lubricant and store in a dry clean area ready for next time. I found The KM2 tended to heat up quicker in either speed setting than the older Wahl clippers that I used before them. Thanks all for the clarifications. Rommimum, the instructions on teh wahl clippers says that you have to leave the clipper running before you push the blade down into the lock position, wouldn't this be difficult as the blade as the inside white thing is moving. If the blade is getting hot, is it a sign that the clipper itself is overworking, so changing the actual blade won't really mean anything as the motor is still hot? The motor in a KM2 is a permanent magnet type an should not run hot. Most modern clippers use this system and they are designed for contiuous use. If the motor is running hot then I would take it to a warranty agent and have it checked.

The furminator is different to Mars coat king in that it does not cut the hair. In the past many groomers used a #30 blade to comb the hair and the fine teeth on the blade removed the excess hair. The furminator is basically a #30 blade with a handle.

I would have thought the grooming mit was similar to the zoom groom she already has?

Try a Furminator or similar deshedding tool. They work well on the shorter straight haired dogs. http://www.clipperworld.com.au/shop/index....at&catId=18

Temperature is the biggest enemy of anything electrical. Motors and insulation materials will break down over time and this will be accelerated if they are running hot. Blade temperature is not a problem and is in itself but the increase in temperature will evaporate the lubricant and this in turn will prematurely wear the blade.

Clipper vacs are not for everybody as they are awkward to use as there is an additional vacuum hose attached to the clipper. They are also expensive at over $1000. Changing blades is the cheapest alternative, and in the long run having extra blades will save you money as they will remain sharp for longer if they are frequently oiled and changed before getting too hot.

Not sure if I would use vinegar as it contains acetic acid and therfore possible corrosive affects on metallic components.

Cost price to the vet is around $20.

Checked with Clipper World this morning and they sell 400g for $55.97

Go for a known brand such as Jaguar, Roseline, Mars etc as you know the quality is there. There are a lot of scissors that are made in Pakistan that cost the seller $10 and come in a fancy box and are sold for in excess of $100. Don't go on appearance as most of them look great.

Well said Tornsocks. The one thing I have got out of this post is the opinion that those who cannot afford the Vet fees should not own a pet. This is disturbing in that do we as a society deprive the elderly and the disable people the right to own a pet? I think it is a sad day when only the wealthy can own a pet. Insurance is probably not an option as most people on benefits are close the bread line. Maybe a scheme to sponsor a pet for this section of the community, it could be done with the assistance of the Vet community, breeders and the general community.

I go back a long way with heaps of vets, I have built more vets surgeries clients lists than you know,boy! have I ever. They all nearlly turn-out the same,I think it is in the blood.I dont mind not doing vets blades they send them with puss/gunk all over them,I am a sharpener not a cleaner,vets should be ashamed,please dont use my services,maybe you had better buy your own sharpening machine, or go where you pay more so you will be able to justify your services prices. Boom Boom. This is what I mean... if that's how you really feel about vets, then why do you want their business and encourage it with a discount? I suppose Stormie it is the same with Vets and clients. Many posts from vets/vet nurses complain about clients, but what do you do? Only work for the clients you like. Probably not a good business model. Most people complain about banks but we all use them.

Raz it's for your own good. I've had students like you; not only do they want you to spoon feed them but want you to chew it as well. It looks like I will get the bread next time Raz is cooking. Anyway Raz/Poodle I have to go to work, a truck load of work just turned up, I will stick my nose in later.Be kind to each other. Seeing you're so anti-vets (think you used the words pet hate?), why do you try to get their business? To make money perhaps? eta: and do you offer vets a discount?! What about your other clients? Surely that's not very fair to them!! So are you overcharging everyone else? Or undercharging vets? My question was to you, nicestman77. Regarding your business. Do you offer discounts on your clipper blade sharpening services to vet clinics? To whom was that comment directed at? Poodle? Nicestman77? Hi stormie I am glad you asked that question. The answer is, in fact I do offer vets a very good discount, because their blades are normally only #40's which are smaller than other type of blades, and don't use as much wear on the sharpening plate as larger type blade do, I adjust it appropiatly, and the more blades you send the cheaper is the price per blade, vets usually send at least 6>15 blades each time. You see I am the fly in the ointment jar in the sharpening industry, I was the second person in Australia that started clipper blade sharpening just behind Kramar back in the 1978, BBI Sydney came next, so did Charlie, the rest came after us many years later, my prices are the lowest around (1980 prices), other sharpeners charge anything from $10>$14 plus GST, $10 is a good price! my prices are below that, the reason my prices are lower is I sharpen with a fully automatic machine, and it is full proof, you only have to do it once, these days if you don't sharpen smarter it is time to get out of the industry, and they would dearlly love me to up my prices, so they can up their prices, but I won't, well, not yet. I make them look like they are ripping you guys off, well infact they are not, it takes them a lot longer to sharpen your blades, and when they do that, they are wearing your blades out prematurely, by keep trying to get it right, they only work on a 75% success rate, I only take 000.2th of a " of each surface, and the blade is crisp/hollow ground, and will last for ages 100%. The other sharpeners use machines I sold 20 years ago, and I won't use them again. If you want advise about a sharpener ask them if the have a fully automatic machine first. There are not to many in Australia. I also offer all my customers a similar same deal if they join my website, if they wish, that allows me the privilege to be able to send them a newsletter each month legally, and I pay for the privilege to do so. Thank you for your kindness. Colin is well know in the industry and was a competitor of mine a few years ago. Although we have not met, Colin and his wife Jenny have a reputation for doing charitable work, and to this I commend them. I have heard stories of him sharpening blades and repairing clippers for needy customers at no charge. He's not rich from what he says, but I gather it is a life style he enjoys.

I agree SL .... I've been on the receiving end of their bills countless times. But in their defense there's a couple of things to be considered. First is the cost of petrol and the wear and tear on their vehicles. Second is that whilst they are spending time in the car clocking up the travel expenses, they also are precluded from seeing any other customers. If they need to travel 30 minutes to see you, there's one hour of them sitting in the car. Take into account how many animals a small animal vet might be able to see in that one hour period (and the consultation fees they receive as a result) and it is easy to see that the equine vets who visit on site need to charge more. Sure - it doesn't stop me fainting at the expense of it all but I can see why the difference. Going back about ten years ago one equine vet practiced acupuncture and was reasonably priced with fee of $75. He was there for almost an hour, used acupuncture needles and vitamin B injections into the muscle and the fee was a flat rate. No extra charges. He also sold Cartrophen at a modest mark up. His wife did the bookwork and they made a good income.

Do your vet friends know how you have lambasted them on a public forum, poodie? I cant see you retaining the friendship for long if they do, unless they accept the fact that you take grumpy pills for breakfast lunch and dinner every day. They're equine vets and have a good sense of humor. Most of the time they have their arm up the back side of horse so they don't have a lot of friends. If I go into a shop with them for lunch around mare testing season we usually get plenty of space Equine vets are worse than small animal vets - they charge hundreds just to come out to look at the horse... One of them operates on his own, has no surgery, staff etc and operates from thhe back of a 4 wheel drive. The majority of work is in the racing and stud/breeding industry.

Do your vet friends know how you have lambasted them on a public forum, poodie? I cant see you retaining the friendship for long if they do, unless they accept the fact that you take grumpy pills for breakfast lunch and dinner every day. They're equine vets and have a good sense of humor. Most of the time they have their arm up the back side of horse so they don't have a lot of friends. If I go into a shop with them for lunch around mare testing season we usually get plenty of space