Electric hair clipper repair

My Oster electric hair clipper died. It was time to fix it…


The thing has been my trusty friend for many years, allowing me to go far beyond the recommended 2-3 weeks between haircuts. A little neck trim, maybe the sideburns, no one would ever notice.

And then one day, Mr. Oster just quit. His sliding blade stopped sliding. It had power — that unmistakable sound as it “snapped” on.

At first, I thought the slider switch was too corroded over to be making contact. Nope.

Then, I thought there was too much hair and grime between the transformer halves. Nope.

It turned out this strange little anchor screw was merely too tight, such that the coil could no longer alternate back and forth with the AC line current.

Loosen it up, and eureka!

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Rob

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Comments

61 responses to “Electric hair clipper repair”

  1. Jules Avatar
    Jules

    I am James’ barber. I’ve been doing it for 15 years. Maybe I should start making him pay me! How much do they charge you for a haircut? Those look just like the Oster clippers I use on him.

    Reply
    1. Carl V. Avatar
      Carl V.

      I think you should try to get a little spending money for those haircuts Jules! Good job Mr. Fix-it.

      Reply
    2. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      $15, Jules! That’s some splurge money right there!

      Reply
      1. Ciera Avatar
        Ciera

        $15 for a haircut? Wow. I only get charged $9! 😛

        Reply
    3. James Avatar
      James

      Jules, do you take credit cards?

      Reply
      1. Jules Avatar
        Jules

        I’m a cash only girl. You should know that! 😉

        Reply
  2. Doug Lauder Avatar
    Doug Lauder

    Recommendation worked like a charm thanks

    Reply
  3. Allen Avatar
    Allen

    Hello! I stumbled across this page googling “how to fix hair clippers”, and your advice is pretty good. It worked for one set of clippers (I THINK I loosened the spring you’re talking about correctly), but the second set is giving me problems.

    As I loosen the spring holding the mobile blade, the blade begins moving more and the vibrations are louder. The only thing is, it doesn’t move enough to start cutting, and I’ve already loosened the spring to the point where it falls out of the clipper! It just seems like there’s “something” holding back the blade, but I’m not sure what it is. Any suggestions?

    I’m very curious – do you know why this happens to a set of clippers after use? I don’t have any electrician-background so my understanding of this is very basic, correct me if I’m wrong: The motor is an electromagnet and oscillates the magnet to move the blade. If that’s the case, I don’t see any reason why the magnet would “wear itself down” after time. Why do we need to move the spring at all? I’m just interested to understand the process and would appreciate any explanation. =)

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Allen, good to hear that one of your pairs of clippers is fixed now. As to why this is happening, I’m not completely sure. When my clippers froze up, I assumed it was that anchor screw had just worked itself tight over the years.

      If you have a pair of clippers in which you’ve loosened this screw and it’s still not oscillating, then there’s something wrong with the transformer which provides the magnetic field. It’s possible that the coils are corroded. Look for rust or damage on the coil.

      Reply
    2. xaviersire siv Avatar
      xaviersire siv

      maybe,just maybe, u should try oiling it some more..and try fine tuning that is tighten all the way the screws and loosen them one turn at a time (if ur screw is + type, u turn the screw driver until north point meet the north point again. try them one turn per pair at a time. because if u go all the way until the screw fall off its not designed to do that.)

      also try putting oil on the blade. because i did the same thing just now. (unscrew all,putting back,fine tuning,etc,etc. at first the vibration and noise is heavy but after oiling it is as smooth as new 🙂

      Reply
  4. Dennis Avatar
    Dennis

    My clippers only work when turned in the right position (straight up and down usually). I checked for loose wires and the switch and they don't seem to be out of order. Also checked the big adjusting screw and it's the same story.
    What can I do to fix them?

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Dennis, When your pair doesn't work, do you hear any electric "buzz"?  If so, then you know there's power but the coil is binding in that orientation. If there's no power at all in the orientation that causes it to not work, then I'd say you have a cable intermittence. Rob

      Reply
      1. Dennis Avatar
        Dennis

        Rob, There is no buzzing at all. They either come on or not. Usually when they are vertical.

        I just checked them again. It's the cable.. Thanks for your help, I wouldn't have fixed them without you.

        Reply
  5. Kim Sorensen Avatar
    Kim Sorensen

    I Have 2 pair of andis master clippers and 2 different trimmers they will not cut I have oiled cleaned them but nothing seems to work?

    Reply
  6. Jack Sun Avatar
    Jack Sun

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    I know about your company by internet today. And found that some of the photoes as like our product. Let me introduce of us. We are Goldollar Co,real manufacturer and exporter of Razor,thinning razor,electric hair clippers and Scissors like Barber Scissors, Thinning Scissors.

    We are in this line since last 21 years and exporting our quality instruments around the globe. Our main markets are USA, UK, EUROPE and many other countries around the world.

    Our experts are ready to redesign any instruments according to the customer’s satisfactions.
     
    Hope we can establish good bussiness relationship in future.
     
    In the end we assure you that we will provide you our best attention and services at all the time.
     
    Best regards and hope to hear from you soon further on this matter.
     
    Yours faithfully
     
     
    Jack Sun
     
    (Sales Manager)
    Goldollar Co.,Ltd
    Website:www.gdl.cn 
    E-mail:jy@goldollar.cn
    MSN:sjkcnc@hotmail.com
    Tel:086-0574-88858888   Fax:086-0574-88858555
    333 East ZhongxingRd,Xikou,Ningbo,Zhejiang,China

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Hmm, a sales call? I’m flattered you think I need a contract manufacturer for my mods, but alas I have not a sizable market for repairing electric hair clippers.

      Reply
    2. Rick Avatar
      Rick

      Hey Rob.  I am glad to hear you are doing business with China now.  We all know that they need our business since it is such a small country.  How many thousand instruments are you going to buy from him? 🙂

      Reply
  7. veronica pagan Avatar
    veronica pagan

    hello.  i have a pair of andis styleliner2, they turn on, but the blade doesn’t move and if they do they barely cut.  This happens to a my clippers when i drop them.  There gotta be a way to fix them, I would greatly appreciate your advice.  I’m getting happy just thinking about being able to fix this problem.

    Reply
    1. veronica pagan Avatar
      veronica pagan

      correction. I have oester t-finishers not the styliners.  The oester’s have no screw on the side of them like most clippers do.

      Reply
    2. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      There’s a good chance that you’re having the same problem I had as described in my post above. Have you tried taking them apart yet an loosening the transformer anchor screw?

      Reply
  8. steve Avatar
    steve

    hi rob..hmmm im half way in 2 shaving my head n they have stoped cutting..they are just pulling on my hair and not realy cutting..ther non oil 1s but iv sprayed a bit of aftershave on as in the past this has worked,iv losend the 2 screws on the bottem plate and relined but still no joy..help me pleasssssseeee
    steve

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Yeah, your transformer could be dead.  If you want to send it to me for repair, I can take a look for you.

      Reply
      1. steve Avatar
        steve

        no worrys m8,il just buy some new 1s
        thanks for the replie

        Reply
  9. Alex Avatar
    Alex

    I took my Andis Styliners 2 apart and an oval ring with with two rectangular shapes (one flat and the other at 60 degrees all attached together) feel to th ground. I looked at both your diagrams but none illustrate where this piece goes. I’m sure this is important do you have an idea?
     

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Alex, can you send me some pictures of what you have? I’ll send you an email too…

      Reply
      1. Smitty Avatar
        Smitty

        Alex or Rob – Did you guy find a solution. I took mine apart to clean and that oval thing fell out. Talk to me guy, please! Thanks

        Reply
        1. Rob Avatar
          Rob

          Smitty, it’s been so long I forget what that part looks like. I might be able to help you if you send me pics. I’ll send you an email.

          Reply
  10. Pablo Avatar
    Pablo

    Hey Rob,
    I have the same clippers as you and have been using them for around 16 years now. Problem is, now they just started to sound horrible! They can still cut and work very good, but the sound is louder and really bad.
    I took it apart and cleaned it, did a little maintenance with the rust and everything, and still sounds terrible. I don’t know if it’s the magnet hitting something or some other thing, curious thing is, they still cut perfectly. The screw on the side, I’ve already loosened and tightened it up and nothing seems to work. I’m just affraid that sound would mean they will reheat at some point or something.
    Can you help me with this? Thank you

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Hmm, it depends, Pablo. If you’ve already cleaned it and tried loosening and tightening that screw, that’s the extend of what I did to fix mine. Beyond that, you might have to replace the transformer, which could be hard to find. That’s something that I could help with finding, but it might not be all that cheap.

      Reply
  11. Pablo Avatar
    Pablo

    Ok thanks for the help anyway. I will try and see what is that sound. I don’t think it’s the transformer,  but I’m not sure. Anyway, thanks. Hope it doesn’t break soon or in the middle of cutting my hair.

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      It might just be some other mechanical parts inside the clipper that loose now and vibrating. Feel around and see if anything is loose.

      Reply
  12. James Avatar
    James

    Dear Rob;
    Peace be unto you.
    Thank God for the internet. It is really good that you have a desire to help others. I have been a barber for thirty-seven years, and I really need to start fixing my own clippers. Where can I get replacement parts to do the work with? I will greatly appreciate any help you can give me.

    Sincerely,
    James

    Reply
  13. Beauty Salon Tools & Supplies Avatar
    Beauty Salon Tools & Supplies

    Hi James and others,

    Well if anyone of you want to lower his/her cost on buying expensive tools for your salon then you can easily do that by ordering your tools directly from Manufacturer at http://www.darexpo.com/ here you can order barber scissors, thinning scissors, cuticle nippers, eyebrow tweezers, straight razors, blackhead removers and many more. Just check and see.

    Reply
  14. Clif Barnes Avatar
    Clif Barnes

    My clipers are stuck right now…I am trimming my wife’s provates and she is yelling. What should I do?

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Clif, I would recommend the following:
      1) Grease up your clippers.
      2) Stop clipping your wife’s provates. Might be dulling the blades.

      Reply
  15. Clif Barnes Avatar
    Clif Barnes

    I meant privates.

    gosh, i butchered the joke.

    Reply
  16. Mickey Avatar
    Mickey

    Hey Rob,
    Your blog is inspiring. I’m new to trying to fix things. My clippers were constantly blowing the fuse in bathroom. Then they started turning on intermittently. I took it apart to clean it and now I can’t get it to go on. I think I might have dropped a part related to the switch into the trash bin. I tried jamming some speaker wire to test to see if I could connect the two ends on the switch plate if it would turn on, but I get nothing. I don’t see any signs of defect anywhere. Any ideas?
    Mickey

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Thanks, Mickey, and good for you for trying to fix them. But be careful when you try shorting out the switch. That’s all AC 115V in there!

      Not sure what to tell you, if you lost a part. If the transformer won’t kick in at all it could be:

      1) Loose connection to the transformer
      2) Bad connection from the switch

      If all is connected properly, you should hear that transformer hum. Do you have a multimeter to measure the voltage?

      Reply
  17. Sang Jong Avatar
    Sang Jong

    wow you have such a nice theme!

    Reply
  18. Ron Avatar
    Ron

    Hi Rob, so do you actually fix clippers or just give people tips on how to fix them. I have a vintage Oster clipper that I’m guessing is at least 30 yrs. old. It’s so old that it even has a cloth electric cord. I don’t want to throw it out cuz I have about 4 cutting blades and it cut great when it was working. Any thoughts?

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      I’m not a professional. But I have worked on others’ clippers over the years. I could take a look for you, but I can’t guarantee results.

      Reply
      1. Ron Avatar
        Ron

        How would I get it to you? I’m assuming snail mail, if you don’t want to make your address public maybe you can email it to me.

        Reply
        1. Rob Avatar
          Rob

          Ron, I’ve emailed you my address…

          Reply
  19. Carlos Avatar
    Carlos

    Hey Rob, I’ve blown a clipper into a 220v outlet, what do I have to look for?

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      I bet the transformer is fused. Check it for melting or smoked areas.

      Reply
  20. anthonychamberlin Avatar
    anthonychamberlin

    This is nice post. I’m planning to cut my hair with a hair clipper. I really enjoyed reading your post. Looking for more updates from your side.

    Reply
  21. Jerry Lau Avatar
    Jerry Lau

    Hi Rob,

    My mom owns a Oster classic and I offered to change her carbon brush. Since the brush broke off, I had to open up the razor to dislodge it. After replacing all the parts with the new carbon brushes, the Oster razor won’t turn on anymore. Any ideas what I may have done wrong?

    Any help is much appreciated!

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      I’ve found that usually it’s an issue of connection. Do you have a voltmeter? Make sure those wires are all making continuity.

      Reply
  22. Miguel Avatar
    Miguel

    Hi i need help with an andis styliner 2. It fell down and now it makes a really loud noise. Heres my email mghn04@hotmail.com Miguel.

    Reply
  23. Deidrick Avatar
    Deidrick

    I just bought the andis RACD pet trimmers and I’ve only used them for 1 day. They already freeze up and don’t trim at all. They turn on and make a click noise but then they just stop unless I tap on the side then it starts to work. They also get incredibly hot to the point where it’s uncomfortable to hold them. Any ideas as to how to fix them?

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      My first thought is warranty! Just replace it. Because if you attempt to fix yourself, you’ll just void it anyway.

      Reply
  24. John Avatar
    John

    Rob, I have the same clippers pictured in this blog. Oster classic with the red switch on the side. I was cleaning them up and the red switch fell out. I found the spring, but wondering if I’m missing another small piece, because when I reassembled the switch slides without much control or ‘click’ ing into place.

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Hi John. I’ve replaced these clippers some time ago. But I can’t remember there being a very noticeable “click”. The transformer sometimes will make a loud click when it engages and the blades are positioned just right. Is that what you mean?

      Reply
      1. Judas Avatar
        Judas

        My clipper only works on fully charged battery but it cant work on ac when is discharged.

        Reply
        1. Rob Avatar
          Rob

          Yeah, sometimes a dead battery will not work in bypass mode like your symptoms imply.

          Reply
    2. Eric Avatar
      Eric

      John,
      Hopefully this isn’t too late, but there is a small brass piece that fits in the spring of the switch. It looks like half of a brass rivet. I have a very similar model I’m having problems with and found the brass piece rattling around inside my clippers. After replacing it to the proper location, the switch seems to work better.

      Reply
  25. Rosalina Avatar
    Rosalina

    Im really thankful on the author of the poswt for producing this lovely annd informative article live too put us.
    We actually appreciate ur effort. Maintain the nice
    work. . . .

    Reply
  26. Eric Avatar
    Eric

    Rob,
    My Oster clippers will pop off when turned in the vertical position. Sometimes after multiple tries it will throw the GFCI switch in my wall outlet. You mentioned in other posts loosening a screw. Just curious which screw you mean? Is it one of the screws inside or is it the spring tension screw on the side? I’ve adjusted the one on the side and it doesn’t seem to change much, but I’m not really sure what it’s supposed to do.

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      Hey Eric, sorry for the late reply. The screw that I had adjusted was one that held the transformer together. There’s obviously a pretty significant current surge to throw your GFCI plug!

      Reply
  27. Scott sam Avatar
    Scott sam

    Hello rob
    My clipper fell on the floor and the clipper case got damaged
    I tried to change the case my self, which I did successfully but the clipper didn’t vibrate as usual. I loosed the coil and discover breakage.
    I really want to know if I can fix the breakage or is the clipper now beyond repair?

    Reply
    1. Rob Avatar
      Rob

      So the coil itself is broken? If so, I’m afraid that transformer is toast.

      Reply

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