Use Andis Master Clippers

Professional and novice barbers should have well-maintained hair clippers.

For the professional hair dresser and the novice alike, a well-maintained hair clipper is essential for the perfect hairstyle. There are many types of clippers on the market, but if you own the Andis brand master clipper, you'll need to know care for it properly before and during its use in order to get the smoothest cut possible. There are several product lines for the master clippers, including the Master, FadeMaster (for shorter cuts, tapering and fading) and the Phat Master Clipper (for longer cuts.)

Instructions

Preparation

1. Plug the unit into a standard electrical outlet.

2. Make sure the outside of the clipper is clean. Use a soft cloth to wipe it off if necessary.

3. Remove the blade guard, wipe the blades clean and then turn the clipper to the "On" position. To turn it the clipper off, return the switch to its original position.

Attach Blades

4. Oil the blades by placing the oil in small droplets on the sides of the blades and on top. For specific instructions, refer to the diagram in the package's instruction sheet.

5. Locate the power screw, which is on the bottom part of the case opposite the switch, and then turn the power on.

6. Take a standard, slotted-head screwdriver and turn the power screw counter-clockwise until the clipper makes a continuous rattling sound. Then, carefully turn the screw clockwise, until the rattling sound stops.

7. Adjust the blade by standing the clipper upright, and then flicking the adjustment lever with your thumb. Choose the comb attachment size you want to use: 1/16-inch, 1/8 -inch, 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, ½-inch, 3/4-inch and 1-inch. Snap the comb into place.

8. Insert the cutter blades into the blade attachment. Snap the blade attachment into place.

Clipping Guide and mid-haircut maintenance

9. Determine the settings to use before beginning the haircut.

Determine the direction that you want to clip the hair, whether it is with the hair grain or against the hair grain. Determine how much hair you want to trim off. Cut the hair.

10. Keep the clipper well-oiled and clean during the haircut. Place a few drops of the cutter oil on the front and sides of the cutter blades. Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the blades of excess oil.

11. Use a small brush or a discarded tooth brush to clean the hair from the blades. When the clipper is running, dip only the blades in a pan of trimmer oil. Excess hair and dirt on the blades should come out.

12. After cleaning, turn the clipper off and dry the blades with a soft cloth. You can then resume clipping.

Blade Replacement

13. To replace the cutting blades, unplug the clipper and place it on a hard, flat surface so the teeth are facing downward.

14. Unscrew the blade screws and remove the lower blade.

15. Grasp the upper blade with your thumb and forefinger and then push it with your thumb to one side of the clipper while your finger unsnaps the blade from the connecting fork.

16. Handle the blades carefully.

Install the new blades by first placing the smaller (upper) blade toward the connector fork. Tilt the blade so that one side of the white nylon bracket hooks onto one tine of the connector fork. The piece should settle into place.

17.Push the upper blade to the connector fork's opposite side bracket and then place the larger, lower blade on top of the upper blade. Align the screw holes to the blade pad and then turn the clipper over to align the lower blade so that both blades are even. The lower blade's teeth should be slightly above the upper blade's teeth; this is important so that skin doesn't get caught in the teeth while you're clipping hair. After the alignment is in place, tighten the screws.

Tags: upper blade, lower blade, turn clipper, connector fork, into place, soft cloth