Gain a greater understanding of an electromagnetic clipper. A lot of Wahl clippers are electromagnetic, a simple and effective conduction of electricity creating a magnetic force around the coil driving the blades and thus cutting hair.
Thanks for an interesting and very informative clip, but there are a few errors in the explanations about how these devices work, that would benefit from addressing: While they may be different brands and have slightly different designs, the principle just the same: a piece of soft iron, attached to the vibrating blade driving the cutting blade, is attracted, repeatedly, by an electromagnet that is fed by mains AC, and is compressing a push-back metal spring (the strength of which, can usually be adjusted, from the outside, as mentioned already by a few people. When the piece of iron, on the vibrating arm, is not attracted, because the AC goes through a zero voltage moment, the spring pushes the vibrating arm back, only to be attracted again when the AC voltage and the current through the coil, goes back up towards the max. Because there is no permanent magnet there, that would be attracted or repelled, depending on the polarity of the magnetic field (and the direction of the resulting force) there will be no repelling, only attracting by the electromagnet. The push back is done by a spring, every time the AC voltage goes through a zero , which is twice per cycle. Since in the mechanism, there is only soft iron, which does not magnetise permanently, and will be attracted whenever there is current going through the winding of the electromagnet, and generating a magnetic field, regardless of polarity, the moving part will be attracted twice per cycle, so 120 times per second in 60 Hz AC countries and 100 times per second in 50 Hz AC countries. Bigger magnet, bigger metal core, or stronger magnetic field, etc, WILL NOT alter the speed/frequency of the movement, which, in this type of mechanism, depends exclusively on the mains AC frequency. I just thought I'd let you know 😊 I am making no comments whatsoever about the actual hair cutting differences,
Just bought a second hand no-brand clipper, and its amazing how even this simple design can be cheaped out on: the wires are just soldered to the coil, with a single strip of electical tape wrapped around it.
Adjust the tension on the side of the clipper. Wind it right out clockwise until the clipper makes a loud noise. Then wind it back until it sounds normal again. Switch it on and off a few times and wind back further if necessary.
Interesting video. Looked at it to see what's inside a clipper. Magnetic force should be the magnetic field. Also, since the current is AC Alternating Current, the coil attracts on the first half of the cycle and then repels on the 2and half of the AC cycle. The iron core helps to focus the magnetic field to where its needed. Just thought I would let you know.
Actually, Simon, because there is no permanent magnet there, that would be attracted or repeled, depending on the polarity of the magnetic field (and the direction of the resulting forceand) thre will be no repelling, only attracting there is only soft iron, which will be attracted whenever there is current going through the winding, the moving part (will be attracted twice per cycle so 120times per second in 60 Hz countries and 100 times per sec0ond in 50 Hz countries.
These type of clippers never seem to burn out my father has 2 whal them from the 1960's, used them in his barbershop many for years, only the electric cords had to be replaced from time to time.
This is a great video and it's a start to helping me fix my clippers if it all possible. Up front I haven't watched the whole video because I'm kind of desperate to cut my hair LOL but I I'm sure I overworked my clippers the last stint.
Thanks. Mine was shipped with an extra loose screw rattling inside that got lodged preventing blade motion. Opened it up and fears of future electric shock have sent me down the rabbit hole for peace of mind.
i have the white super taper ones, never worked properly since i got them, only used them a couple of times and already stopped working. very quiet and blades dont seem to be moving. didnt get any information leaflet with them on how to maintain them or telling me how they work etc. 😞
Recently learned that the frequency of your country is important. I bought a 60hz clipper back to a country that is 50hz. This causes the clipper to keep alot of noise. Wondering if there is a way to have the clipper adjusted or do I need a transformer.
@@kidstg9280 if you can find a device that outputs the right frequency the clipper will work like normal. In my scenario that device cost more than the clipper. So it was not worth it.
The armature can be ordered. Actually, every part of the clipper can be ordered from somewhere in the world, if you are willing to pay for shipping. It's highly unlikely that you broke the armature. How could you break a metal arm, fastened inside of a plastic case? Maybe it needs adjustment.
About two and a half minutes in and your video has given me a hunch as to why my Wahl (which I dropped on the bathroom floor) vibrates obnoxiously and painfully loud. I'm thinking spring mechanism is damaged or dislodged.... ok now where did I put the darn thing.
A lot of things could have happened when the clippers were dropped. Take the cover off, and inspect the coil and armature. Make sure that the coil is securely fastened. The check the armature for alignment.
@@chinatownboy7482 I appreciate the suggestion, but I think I finally tossed it out. I had taken it apart and tried to fix it but was unsuccessful. I ended up getting a battery-powered version, which works great. Not quite as powerful but much more convenient.
@@YoeyYutch Wahl electromagnetic clippers are very simple. All of them can be repaired. All of them can be refurbished. Every part is available, because the design is essentially the same as when they started selling these 100 years ago. You could order every part as a spare part, and build your own. I have never seen them fail on their own. The clippers can last a lifetime if maintained and cared for. The only time that Wahl clippers fail is when someone breaks them....... usually by dropping them.
@@chinatownboy7482 I can't argue with you there. I would expect that my clippers were fixable, possibly needing a replacement component. Again, it's been so long I can't remember the specifics. I just remember opening it up, making some adjustment, closing it back up, turning it on and encountering the most obnoxiously loud vibration. Just curious, what happens if you turn it on with cover removed?
I have a 10year plus Designer clipper. The guts as well as the motor is the same as your sterling 4. Do you have any idea what motor it uses? Also, can you describe the difference between that motor against the V9000 motor. Is it worth to invest to a V7000 or V9000 motor just for domestic home use? Good vid and keep up the good work 👍
The Wahl Designer is advertised as having a "standard electromagnetic motor". The only difference between all of the motors is the amount of wire wound around in the coil. The more copper wire, the more power. What nobody tells you is that over the years, depending on the sourcing of the parts, there are minute differences in the coil and armature. So if you buy either, make sure that it's compatible with what you have, or order and replace both pieces.
Strug Hey buddy I have a clipper which is giving me a prob.i took every thing apart just to test whr I see that the coil I have is having current which I tested thru electronic tester... But the other magnetic part of it which shud vibrate is not vibrating... By any chance do u kno what wud b prob. Bcoz as tested the coil is getting current but not activating the other magnetic part. Let me kno if u have any info. Thanks in advance. Mate
I have the same problem. It just occurred. The blades stop and start, as though a heat time-out is in effect, but that is not the case, for they don't have that feature...being no motor or brushes.
Can you help me out, mine has gone very weak, still works but very weak, ive tried adjusting the side screw but it doesnt help, only makes a loud noise if adjusted too deep
Mine started doing that two days ago. I suspect that you and I have a broken solder joint where either of the two wires enters the coil body. That would be the only thing on this primitive set up to stop applying a magnetic force. Check all the connections between the coil body and the power switch as a start.
The first thing that I would do is take the cover off, and have a look inside. Shorted out? There are a number of reasons why a set of clippers stop working. Sometimes, it just needs to be cleaned out. The inside of the body could be full of hair. There are no sophisticated electronics. Just a power line, interrupted with a switch, to the coil. And a neutral wire going back to the power cord. Maybe the cord is damaged.
christoforos xenofontos turn the screw on the right side of the clipper clockwise until you hear a clattering noise, then slightly turn it counter clockwise until the noise stops..this will adjust the armeture closeness thus causing more power on the clippers behalf.
@@adrielbueno6215 what is a "magic clip" ? I have Conair clippers, and unless the power screw is adjusted to the point where the clippers clatter the power is wimpy and the blades barely move...
Simple, if you can FIND ONE as a replacement. You simply unscrew (with POWER OFF, and unplugged!!!!) the two wire ends to the power switch, and then when they are free, you lift the entire coil out. Simple as that, and for putting in another one. My coil has gone bad...but I can't fine a coil for my Wahl model 7W, anywhere.
Mazie Williams that’s a good idea, it’s just gotta be a heavy duty sponge to deal with the heat that lil motor is gonna put out. But again thanks for the idea, was tryin to figure out a buffer to use between the housing an that might fit the bill 🤙
Why can't it just be a motor and a gear that controls the blade? I've noticed that my ears ring after getting a haircut. Didn't know clippers were electromagnetic 🤔
The power screw on some wahl's have a tab on the power screw that won't let you adjust it too much , if you find that you need to go past this point you can pry the plastic bit with the tab off completely and underneath it, is a normal philips head screw ...
any suggestions to increase power besides just the screw? my clippers are not powerfull enough unless the arms are adjusted so close that they are clattering... I assume the rate of vibration of the blade is related to the frequency of the alternating current coming through the electric lines? 110 alternating current here in the USA... 110 times per minute?
I have a Wahl model 7W, and can't find a replacement coil assembly. Mine starts and stop the actuator arm intermittently. I suspect the coil...but, you can't find them. Seems the clippers are now simply throw away. Even Wahl's Canada site doesn't even list the coils for sale....
