Shark Tooth or Snake Tooth Thinner Teeth

In the December Issue of On The Edge I wrote an article on how to re-tooth thinning shears if you need to sharpen the tooth blade. In the article I ran out of room for pictures and wanted to drop a drawing in here at Jim Sharp to show what I was talking about when speaking of Shark Tooth and/or Snake Tongue/Tooth thinner teeth. In the article I said it would be best not to even try to re-sharpen these teeth. Instead I always try to replace shears with teeth like this if the customer will have it. Here's what I was talking about:

The one on the left is a sharks tooth. You'd find a tooth similar to this on the Kenchii Orca. The one on the right is the snake tounge/tooth (or v-notched) tooth. I've often referred to these teeth this way over the phone because the one on the left has that jagged look like the side od a sharks tooth and the one on the right looks like a snake tounge or it's fangs. There isn't a tool out there that will let you re-cut these notch styles, so that's why I like to replace them instead of try to "fix" them. In the article in the newsletter I showed how to cut new notches in standard teeth on a thinner with a corrugating file and talked about how to do it on the Wolff Corru-Gator.

This article was one in a series I'm doing right now. In November 2012 I wrote about how to ramp the teeth on thinners to reduce that choppy feel they can have. In the January 2013 I will write on how to deal with bent teeth. If you'd like to see a copy of On The Edge you can see a preview issue here:
http://otenewsletter.com/preview-issue/

If you'd like to order the newsletter you can call me at 864-909-3381 or you can online via PayPal here:
http://otenewsletter.com/how-to-order-on-the-edge/

2012 NBTSG Scissors and Clipper Blade Sharpening Convention

Here is a short video showing a taste of what happened at this years NBTSG scissors and clipper blade sharpening convention. Take a look.

If you'd like more info on what happened at this show or how to get involved with others like them, take a look at On The Edge.

If received this via email and you're having trouble viewing this video click on the title above.

How to Figure Wattage When Deciding on an Inverter

I often get asked how much wattage is needed to run different pieces of sharpening equipment because many sharpeners are mobile, and want to set up an inverter. The basic formula for figuring wattage is Amps times Volts equals Wattage. Start up is a little trickier though. To figure start up, you may have to multiply your amps times two or three before you multiply them by the volts. Here is an example:

Figuring Wattage:
Amps: 3.5
Volts: 120

3.5 x 120= 420 watts

Figuring Start Up Wattage:
Amps: 3.5 x 2= 7 Amps
Volts: 120

7 x 120= 840 watts

So you can see that to start this machine, you'll need at least a 1200 or 1500 watt inverter. You may be able to get away with an 800 watt with a serge, but you need to consider lights and other things you'll be running in your unit.

If you're running something like a clipper blade sharpener, depending on the size of the wheel, you may have to multiply your amps by three. Just remember, you're always better off with too much wattage than too little!

To make things a little easier, here is a link to a great website that lets you figure wattage, amps, ohms or voltage.

Also, in the upcoming August Issue of On The Edge I'll be sharing a trick that will help keep your inverter running better and help it last longer over time. If you're not familiar with On The Edge, click here to learn more.

If you're in the market for any of the Wolff  sharpening machines, be sure to give me a call before you buy. I know all the best places to buy at the best price! Call 864-381-8697 or email me at otenews@gmail.com.


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First Impressions

Ever go to a fast food restaurant? Notice those pretty pictures of the food above the counter? Well here are some examples of a counter ad and the real product! Yuck!!! And this is what it's like at every one of these restaurants!

So my question is, what does your literature look like, and what do you look like? If they don't match on either side, NOT GOOD!!!!

Your Mother told you, "You only get one chance at a first impression!" This may seem basic, but over and over again I see "Professional Sharpeners" that just don't look that "Professional"!! Don't be one of these!

Tips about this:

• Dress to impress
• Design a nice looking, or unique, business card
• Have colorful, well designed literature

To dress to impress, go to any department store (with your wife or girlfriend if you're male) and buy some nice clothes. As for the card and literature, take a look at Vista Print or any of the other online printers. They have all kinds of templates you can use to design these things and the price is great! Online stuff not your thing? Go to your local Community College and get a Graphics Art Student to design some stuff for you. This won't cost you much and then you can bring the files to a local printer and have them made.

If you're printing your own stuff right now, that may not be bad, just get some unbiased opinions about what you're printing. AND ALWAYS USE GOOD QUALITY PAPER STOCK!!! First impressions are important in a service business! Invest in a Good First Impression!!!!!

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Update On My Mobile Sharpening Station

Back in  2007 I wrote the post below about the Mobile Sharpening station I made for myself out of the Stanley Galvanized Rolling Workshop. Since then these units have disappeared from the shelves of home improvement stores here in the States. Just a few weeks ago I found what looks to be a good replacement, the Hawk Massive Mobile 3-Part Tool Box. Here is a link to it on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Trademark-75-7577-Massive-Mobile-Stainless/dp/B001L56FS4/

The only drawback is the bottom bin doesn't have a hinged storage bin. It looks like you could still cut an opening in it though. In this day and age with gas prices the way they are, many mobile sharpeners are opting for smaller cars and doing scissors work inside salons and dog grooming shops. This unit has been the next best thing to a van for me.

Update:
Scott, in the comments below, pointed out this unit: http://www.amazon.com/Trademark-Tools-75-4650-Oversized-Portable/dp/B002ZZHK9W/ref=pd_cp_hi_1. Take a look. I agree, this is an even closer match and it has worked well for Scott; and he's quite a bit taller than me too.

Here is the post from 2007:

I thought everyone might like to see the Mobile Sharpening Station I use for In-Salon Sharpening.

This is a Stanley Galvanized Rolling Workshop. I bought it from Home Depot a couple of years ago. It comes apart in three parts so it is easy to put in the trunk of a car. I added the 24" x 11 1/4" poplar top by screwing it to the flip-top lid from underneath. I also cut the hinged storage bin out of the bottom to store my machines. Most of the units they make now just have a bin in the bottom, but most flat hone units will still fit in it. (You will see what I mean when you click through the link above) The middle unit on the newer models has a draw in it and a parts bin. It can be a little cumbersome getting it through doors, but it provides a work space for me so I don't have to take up a station in the salon.

The other thing I like about this set up is I get to work at the same height every time. And it's a perfect height for me because I'm...well...short. :) If you are taller than my highly elevated 5' 9'' stature, you could add what ever thickness board you'd need under the 24" x 11 1/4" top.

When I bought it, I think I paid about $80 dollars for it. The aggravating part is that Home Depot only stocks it from time-to-time. (It's out of stock online right now) They are readily available in the UK, but I guess they don't sell as well here in the states. If you'd like one, ask your local Home Depot about it. If they don't have them in stock right then, keep a lookout for it there and online. They will probably have it in the future.

The top picture shows the unit with the Hira-To and and Ookami in it. The bottom shows it with my equipment on top, ready to work.


If you're in the market for any of the Wolff  sharpening machines, be sure to give me a call before you buy. I know all the best places to buy at the best price! Call 864-381-8697 or email me at otenews@gmail.com.

Kenchii Scissors Sale

Just got a note from Kenchii about a scissors sale they are doing right now. It read:

Kenchii is having a sale. We have a special model grooming shear on sale. It is the same as the Lotus but the straight and curve are 8.5 inches and the thinner has 44 serrated teeth. To buy these at the 8 inch price would be $***.** wholesale, we are selling the set for $***.**.

We are also selling the beauty models KEK1 swivel and KEK7 [on a special deal, please call or email below]. You can mix and match sizes but they must be the same model.

KEK155, 6 and 6.5 will be 2 for $***.** wholesale

KEK7525, 575, 625 and 675 will be 2 for $***.** wholesale

This will be a "while supplies last" offer on all models. Due to popularity of our scissors sales please give us an extra 2-3 days for order processing.

I can't put these prices on a public forum like this, so if you're interested please email me at otenews@gmail.com and I'll send you a copy with pricing. Also, if you'd prefer, you can give Jamile a call at Wolff Industries at 800-888-3832 and she can get these prices for you as well.


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My Visit to The Edge Pro

The Edge Pro is known by professional scissor and clipper blade sharpeners as one of the best suppliers for dog grooming, barber, and stylist clipper repair parts in the business. While I was in Iowa this past month I dropped in for a visit and shot this quick video. To find out more about The Edge Pro and the clipper parts and services they offer, please visit their website at www.theedgepro.com.

If you are receiving this by email and can't see the video, please click here. Also, the annotation notes I put in the video are messing up. Click on this YouTube link for a better view if you want to see them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I36OHiE2Xss I'm working on correcting this. 

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Last Call for the Wolff Show

Last call for the Wolff Show scheduled for Saturday, June 16th and Sunday, June 17th at the Holiday Inn and Suites in Anaheim (Fullerton), California. The show times will be 9am - 6pm on Saturday, and 9am - 3pm on Sunday. There will be product to play with and classes on scissors sharpening, clipper blade sharpening, clipper repair, increasing your sales, and more. The price to attend is just $109 and includes access to all events. 

Seating is limited to just 40 and this show is just about sold out! Call 800-888-3832 to reserve your seat today if you want to come! The Holiday Inn has blocked a number of rooms for us at a special price of just $99 per night that includes parking and a full hot breakfast buffet. The number for the hotel is 714-579-7400. Be sure to tell them you are with the Wolff Show when you call.  I hope to see many of you there. If you are new to the industry, these shows are excellent for giving you ideas on how to grow and expand your business. For those of us that have been at this a while, it’s always good to refresh ourselves and catch up with our friends and fellow sharpeners. Give me a call at 800-888-3832 if you have any questions.