Why Does a Hair Trimmer Pull Hair Instead of Cutting?
Picture this – you’re getting a haircut, and your trusty hair clipper suddenly stops working. Instead of cutting smoothly through your hair, it starts pulling at it and leaving uneven patches behind. If you’ve ever experienced this problem before, you’re not alone.
Hair clippers, like any other tool, need maintenance in order to work properly. Let’s go through some common reasons why your hair clipper might not be cutting as wellas it should be or pulling hair instead of cutting and provide tips on how to keep them running smoothly.
Common Reasons Your Hair Clipper Isn’t Cutting Properly
Dull Blades
One of the most common causes for clippers to stop cutting is dull blades. After a while of being used regularly, the blades on your clipper can become blunt which means they lose their sharpness and ability to cut efficiently too. You may notice that your clipper no longer glides through hair like butter or even worse; it starts tugging on hairs instead of cleanly slicing them off. Furthermore, trimmers with dull blades can cause damage to skin, especially in the sensitive areas. These are telltale signs that its time for blade replacement or resharpening.
Misaligned Blades
Another issue that could lead to problems is improper alignment between two sets of teeth within one blade assembly system; when these rows fail meet each other at correct angle required for optimal performance during use (cutting), then there will be inefficiency in terms of output produced by such device where some parts get trimmed while others aren’t touched at all thus resulting into creation unevennesses along length being worked upon i.e., patchy cuts etcetera.
To ascertain if indeed your blades are misaligned or not; simply hold up machine against light source such as windowpane and check whether both rows appear straight enough while remaining parallel throughout without any part jutting out more than rest – if they do then everything is fine but if not, follow steps highlighted below:
- Turn power off.
- Remove screws holding top cover plate in place.
- Inspect for presence of hair strands caught between teeth on both sides.
- Loosen blade screws until blades can be moved freely by hand but still maintain contact with each other when closed completely shut.
- Push top blade back towards rear end of machine while holding it down firmly against bottom one at front side until tips align perfectly.
- Tighten all loose screws evenly starting from centermost position moving outwards gradually thereby ensuring that same amount torque applied around each fastener point.
It should be noted that some models of hair clippers have self-alignment feature where upper part automatically adjusts itself during operation thus eliminating need regular manual alignment as described above; nevertheless, if such automatic system fails work correctly then user will have no option other than carrying out necessary fixing process manually like so:
- Turn off the device.
- Remove screws securing the top cover plate.
- Check whether there are any hairs stuck between teeth on either side of a blade mechanism.
- Release screw pressure slightly until free movement achieved for both blades without losing contact when fully closed up tightness is maintained between them
- Place your finger over one end near front while pushing away from you so as bring about perfect alignment at tips region before tightening all remaining loose bolts symmetrically outwardly starting closer middle going further outside.
Clogged Blades – The Hidden Obstacle
Clogged blades are another common issue that can make your clipper not cut properly. While you’re clipping, little pieces of hair, oil, and other stuff can get stuck between the blades. This accumulation may prevent the blades from moving freely thus reducing their cutting power. When your clipper has ever struggled to cut through hair or started pulling instead of cutting, it is likely due to clogged blades.
Cleaning this tool after each use prevents build-up effectively. If possible, remove the blade assembly and employ a small brush (many clippers come with one) to clean out any hair or debris. Do not forget about the area between these attachments as it’s prone to trapping hairs easily. Additionally, compressed air in a can may be used for blowing out stubborn particles of dirt.
For more thorough cleaning, try using blade cleaning solution or rubbing alcohol. Immerse the blades into this solution for some minutes until all oils and greases have dissolved then dry them well before reassembling everything back together again on your clipper. The regularity at which you clean always ensures an easy time while cutting but also increases the lifespan of these implements.
Why Maintenance is Essential for Long-Lasting Performance
Besides preventing major breakdowns caused by neglecting simple servicing activities after each use, there are other benefits associated with keeping these tools clean as often as possible. One such advantage is that it helps them last longer, serving you reliably over many years rather than causing reoccurring problems that force you to get another clipper within a short time because the original one wasn’t maintained properly.
The second benefit is related to extending the operational life of your tools. When you take care of your gadgets, they will continue to perform well beyond what you might expect, saving you from the frequent need to replace them due to poor performance. This also spares you the time and effort spent searching for a perfect replacement, which might not exist, based on your current needs and usage demands.
How to Properly Maintain Your Hair Clipper
Cleaning and Lubrication – Keeping Your Clipper in Top Shape
The most important thing to do so as to maintain the performance of a clipper is cleaning it after every use. Hair and dirt gets trapped between the teeth that is why they need cleaning after being used. To clean your clipper, you should turn off and unplug it. Take away the blade assembly if possible then use a small brush in order to clean out any dirt or hairs from around the blades too where they usually get stuck.
After cleaning, it’s necessary for one to lubricate their blades well in order keep them running smoothly all times without wearing out fast since these clippers have rapidly moving parts which rub against each other frequently. If this happens continuously without proper lubrication being done on them then eventually those points will become weak due to friction thus causing some of its problems.
To oil your clipper, you are supposed place several droplets of clipper oil directly onto its blades while still running then let those few seconds work through before turning off plus wiping any excess with clean cloth. It needs one to regularly grease these items so that they can remain sharp enough while serving him or her best throughout the entire period when need arises.
Blade Sharpening – When and How to Keep Your Clipper Sharp
Even with regular cleaning and lubrication, clipper blades will eventually become dull and need sharpening. How often you need to sharpen your blades depends on how frequently you use your clipper. If you’re using it daily or several times a week, you might need to sharpen the blades every few months. If you use it less often, you might be able to go longer between sharpenings.
There are a couple of ways to sharpen clipper blades. One option is to take them to a professional for sharpening. Many barbershops and grooming supply stores offer this service, and it’s a good choice if you want to ensure your blades are sharpened correctly.
Alternatively, you can sharpen the blades yourself using a sharpening stone or a specialized clipper blade sharpener. If you choose to go the DIY route, be sure to follow the instructions carefully and take your time. It’s important to maintain the correct angle while sharpening to avoid damaging the blades. Once the blades are sharpened, clean and lubricate them before reassembling your clipper.
Troubleshooting Persistent Issues
When to Replace Your Clipper
No matter how often you clean and lubricate your blades, they will always get dull. Depending on how frequently one uses their clipper, the rate at which it needs to be sharpened will vary. For instance, if you use your tool every day or several times a week then it may need sharpening every few months. On the other hand, if you do not use it very regularly then this process could take longer.
People can either choose to take their clippers for professional sharpening or do it themselves. This service is offered by many barber shops and grooming supply stores so that customers can have confidence in knowing that their blade was done properly.
Another way of doing it is using a sharpening stone or specialized sharpener made specifically for clipper blades. If you decide to take this route make sure you read through all instructions carefully and don’t rush anything; maintaining an accurate angle while sharpening is crucial as failure results into damaging the cutting edges. After being finished with them ensure that they are well cleaned and oiled before putting everything back together again.
Professional Help – When to Seek Expert Advice
However good care we give our appliances there comes a time when we need another one perhaps due to old age or wearing out quickly because of poor quality materials having been used during manufacture but frequent repairs should raise concern too . When cleaning , oiling and even trying to sharpen fails solving a problem with these devices then buying new ones becomes necessary. Catchme.lk offers most competitive hair trimmer prices in Sri Lanka from a variety of high quality brands.
Also, some people may experience constant overheating which indicates faulty wiring systems within the appliance itself ; others notice difficulties in starting up motors as well as running them smoothly till they stop completely after getting hot for some time hence indicating worn out parts mainly caused by continuous friction between moving components . In addition , blades can wear off too much such that no amount of blade sharpens anymore thus requiring replacement altogether .
If any of these problems keep recurring despite proper maintenance procedures being followed each time one has to service their gadget, it would be wise enough if they invested in another device because cheap is expensive ultimately .
Conclusion
Maintaining a hair clipper can seem bothersome but is necessary in order to have smooth and efficient cutting. You could extend its life by habitually cleaning, lubricating as well as sharpening the clipper which will also guarantee that it gives clean cuts every time. If there are persistent problems then seek professional assistance or consider purchasing another one.
Remember that taking care of your tools is important for achieving good results whether you are doing a quick self-haircut or handling an intricate haircut on someone else’s head. Start a maintenance routine now and have with you all-time reliable long-lasting hair clippers for neat looks.