Flowbee Blades - How to Change Them.

The Flowbee Haircutting System lasts a LONG time. I've heard from people who are going on 25 years plus with their Flowbee. If your Flowbee was built within the last 15 years or so, you can get replacement blades from Flowbee's website. Here's how you change out the blades. Please hit the like button if you find this useful!
For parts for your Flowbee, go directly to their site: www.flowbee.com
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[@Barkerfamstudios]

Thanks Tom! Got done and I could hear the motor was on but blades weren't moving. Came here and saw your tip at the end of your video about the screws being too tight. I loosened each on 1/4 turn and it is working like new! Thanks for the tip!

[@Moniquemmb]

You saved me! Had mine 4 1/2 years now, big buildup of oily clippings in the head, decided to remove all the parts and used tweezers, q-tips, other tools, clumps being pulled out. Oh, no! Where did those springs come from? No way to figure it out. Looking on KZbin led me to this video, and I knew it would help me. Determined to really clean the head out, I used canned air, sprayed rubbing alcohol, Kleenex inserted, etc., spent hours on it. Came out as dry and clean as I could get it. I traced every part you showed on copy paper and made notes, the springs and all the parts in exact order, kept the final screws loose like you said, and Bingo! Perfect! I couldn’t have done it without you! You’re awesome, thank you! (I’m a 78 yo widow, and proud of myself! Always get compliments on my hair!)

[@evolutionaryTom]

My apologies for missing this comment. Thank you for contributing and helping others come up with a way to clean theirs. -Tom

[@danbuchi]

Hey thanks for the video. It is great. Could you please tell me where can I buy the new blades? I looked everywhere and I can’t find them. Thank you so much for your help

[@minghlu]

Like others didn't need to change blades, just needed to clean out hair buildup that slowed down the clippers. This video was a godsend and prevented me from losing 6 screws. Now everything is back together and its just as fast as when I bought it 7 years ago.

[@evolutionaryTom]

I'm glad you found it helpful. Just cut my hair yesterday and couldn't be happier. I love my Flowbee!

[@wendy834]

Thank you so much. I was able to replace the blades on my husband’s Flowbee. He had a stroke in May and has right arm paralysis. He used to do everything mechanical around the home so now I’m learning how to repair and fix things for us. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without your video.

[@evolutionaryTom]

That's the most valuable comment I've ever received on my channel, Wendy. It puts a real smile on my face. Thank you for sharing that and I hope your husband has better days ahead of him because I know he's going to look great with that refreshed Flowbee. -Tom

[@waynemiller6070]

I guess I'll try cleaning it first, but after 25 years, I think it's paid for itself. I'll probably get a new head (with blades installed) Thanks for the informative video.

[@evolutionaryTom]

You one of the Flowbee Pro's, Wayne. 25 years is awesome!

[@coolandtrending]

Much appreciated! Can't find flowbee's now but I didn't know the blades were replaceable. Saved me from having to go to a regular barber, which I haven't been to in 20+ years cuz of the Flowbee!

[@evolutionaryTom]

I love stories like this, C.A.T. Thanks for sharing.

[@childofthecreatorgod9962]

37 years for me. Still going strong. Changed blades once. I just did a Flowbee this afternoon.

[@DaveInOroValley]

Thanks for this, I was having a hard time getting things to go smooth and the mention of the "cam" positions was what I had to do. No mention of that at all in the included instructions. Thank you.

[@evolutionaryTom]

I need to make a video of changing out the cam, Dave. Glad this was helpful for you!

[@danbuchi]

Never mind. I found the blades. Thank again

[@thegreatelfinko]

I got here because Flowbee doesn't even tell you where the blades are. I thought they were down in the head I didn't realize they were up in the front. I thought the blades were just a guard. Now I know where to put the oil. Thanks

[@MadCapTriz]

Tom! Thanks so much for posting this very informative & precise video about how to properly change your Flowbee’s blades, as it can be tricky if not done correctly. Keep up the good work & Stay Safe!

[@evolutionaryTom]

Thank you, Troy. I appreciate your support! It's easy to get behind a great product. Take Care, Tom

[@alinaspencil]

Thank you SO much for this! I used a Flowbee found by the side of the road twice, but the unit was getting hot and was straining. I took it apart and cleaned out all the hair and tried to reassemble, only to have forgotten which way the parts went back together. Sigh. AND, after watching your video, it wouldn't run at all...so disassembled again, reassembled, then it was making awful noises. So I loosened the screws, per your extremely helpful, exclusive tip, and voila! I just cut my hair with it. Yay! Double score. Mahalo for taking the time, and for the tips and clarity. I so appreciate your effort and information. Aloha! (My units are older, so I can't use the replaceable parts, but the closeup camera shots and explanations helped me anyway.)

[@evolutionaryTom]

I'm really glad you found it helpful. Love my Flowbee and just gifted my oldes son with one. He was tired of spending $50 to $60 bucks on his hair. We gave him a Flowbee cut and he was sold!

[@alinaspencil]

Yeah, I think I got mine back in the 80s maybe, been using it ever since. Grabbed this latest one off the street, because my original's blades are feeling a bit dull...and why not score a backup machine?! A wonderful investment. I should calculate how much $$ I've saved over decades!@@evolutionaryTom

[@peterchristensen9585]

Same thing happened to me, but I guess I lost a spring down the drain. Oh well! Mine is over 25 years old, and first to go a few years back was the switch. I was greatly surprised that they sold a replacement on their website. This time the motor stopped, it wasn't the switch, and I figured it just died. But I took it apart just for fun, and after removing the blades I tried it again and the motor ran! So I cleaned it up, oiled it, and it's on its third life. The video was great, though it left me curious why one would ever need new blades and how you would know when you did. Mine cuts my hair just fine after decades!

[@McNihilation]

THANK YOU! I didn't pay enough attention when I took mine apart.... Now it's right 👍

[@evolutionaryTom]

Very cool. that's exactly why I did it. Thanks!

[@eduardoa3683]

Thank you so very much Tom!! You are the man! This video was excellent and it worked!

[@evolutionaryTom]

Thank you for the very nice comment, Eduardo! -Tom

[@66squeaky]

Thanks for this very clear and detailed video.

[@evolutionaryTom]

And thanks for the nice comment. Much appreciated. -Tom

[@Douggg1000]

Nice video, Tom.

[@evolutionaryTom]

Not sure why many of these comments were hidden for review but my apologies. I thank you very much for the nice comment. -Tom

[@mattwright9596]

Thanks so much for this. I used these instructions to reassmble my original blade assembly (my Flowbee stopped working, I could hear the motor going but it wasn't driving rhe blades). Unfortunately, I cant seem to get it working after puting everything back together. I cant tell if I'm doing something wrong ir if something in the blade aseembly is worn out (maybe the springs) and I need a replacement set. The one thing I didn't do was remove the bottom bushing.

[@evolutionaryTom]

Make sure you haven't tightened the screws down too much. Too tight and it will prevent the blades from being able to move.

[@mattwright9596]

@@evolutionaryTom Thanks for this tip! I bet that's it. I ended up getting the head + hose only (blades included) replacement part from Flowbee. Not the cheapest option, but not as expensive as buying a whole new Flowbee. I may try to fix the old one again as a backup.

[@trisic2697]

Thanks for the post! Very useful!

[@danfarnsworth5368]

What size and type wrench do I need to do this on an older Flowbee head...the screws have what looks like a square slot instead of an hex allen slot.

[@evolutionaryTom]

Sorry, Dan. I have no experience with the older models. Hopefully one of the older “Flowbee Pro’s” can chime in. I’ve also had good luck contacting the company and they really do know it all. -Tom

[@KeiuroFanForever]

Hi! I just used this tutorial to put blades from my new Flowbee (cheaply made, died after just a couple of years) with my old workhorse Flowbee (works great since 1993, but the blades have dulled.) I used a regular Phillips head screwdriver to get the "square head" screws out. I took out all the parts, and put only the blades and screws from my newer Flowbee into my old Flowbee, and kept all the other older parts in place. I used the new screws because if I ever have to replace them again, I would rather use a hex key. It looks and sounds just like it should. I haven't yet tried to use it to cut my hair, I'll check back again in a few days when I do (using it with a vacuum is loud and my hubby is sleeping in the next room.) Anyway, try using the Phillips head screwdriver. *peace*!

[@KeiuroFanForever]

I just cut my hair with the old Flowbee with the blades taken from the newer Flowbee. It works beautifully! *peace*!

[@mygt8a4re]

So the blades are different on the older models? I have an original Flowbee from over 20yrs ago that needs new blades. They look exactly the same. So these won't fit my vintage unit?

[@davestelling]

Wondering the same thing, Justin. Mine was manufactured in 1991, I think. Blades replacement appear to be pretty expensive, too...

[@mygt8a4re]

@@davestelling I did find out the blades were universal to both the older and the newer models.

[@evolutionaryTom]

Not sure why many of these comments were hidden for review but my apologies. That is correct. Parts are only available for units that say Flowbee.com on the head. That's what Flowbee has told me but I see @mygt8a4re might have found something different -Tom

[@mygt8a4re]

​@evolutionaryTom it's been a while since I had spoken with them, but I remember them saying the actual metal blades were the same, but the supporting plastic pieces that surround the blades were different. So you could purchase the new blades & reuse your factory supporting pieces that hold them in place.

[@sierraromeo]

My Flowbee cam seems to have a plastic thrust button bonded to the top. Or, could this be plastic melted from the housing above? I just peeled what was left off.

[@teresamish]

Hi Tom good video. I have an older flower from early 90s so these blades won’t fit that model?

[@evolutionaryTom]

Hey Kevin, These will only fit your Flowbee if the blade cover says FLOWBEE.COM on it. That's what the Flowbee factory told me. That's cool that you've had one that long. You're what I call a Flowbee pro! -Tom

[@teresamish]

Yes I guess I am. It’s lasted a long time. Still does a good job.

[@mygt8a4re]

@@teresamish Kevin, did you try the newer blades on the vintage flowbee? I'm looking for blades for my original Flowbee. They look the same here as in my flowbee, mine just has the yellow blade cover.

[@davestelling]

​@@mygt8a4re I sure hope we're not out of luck, having older models - I just paid $100.00 on eBay for a 1992 unit...

[@mygt8a4re]

@Dave Stelling Here's a direct reply from Flowbee on the blades: "You are correct, the blades are the same but the plastic blade guides were changed. You can reuse the old plastic with the new blades. Or you can upgrade the entire head and hose for only $50.00 more than the blades alone."

[@KnownBeing]

I just took apart a really old Flowbee to try to repair it (it was intermittently operating) and I lost off one the 6 tiny springs. Has anyone used a substitute, or just used 5?

[@Caroline_622]

I just bought one with a vacuum. The blades don’t move at all and there’s no buzzing. Glad you showed it turned on so I could see/hear it. The instructions were not clear. Not sure what to do.

[@evolutionaryTom]

I hope you resolved this by now. My apologies for missing this comment. Sometimes the plate screws are too tight and it keeps the blades from being able to move. Loosening them frees them up and the motor and cam will start to work. -Tom

[@RustyInSeattle]

I wish I had viewed this before trying to replace the blades on a 25 year old Flowbee for my roommate. Paid $36 on the Flowbee site for the more modern blades and yes they oscillate back and forth but they don't cut.

[@mplsmark222]

Yea, great to buy “Made in America”. Then they leave you with no option to thrown the old one away and force you to buy a whole new kit, when all you need is new blades. This happens more and more with consumer products. Manufacturers don’t want to stand behind their product, at least Flowbee acknowledges the old model, lots of manufacturers pretend the old stuff never existed once they come out with a new one.

[@mygt8a4re]

So the blades online won't work on the original Flowbees? I was just looking to order a set of replacement blades for my vintage unit.

[@yott1950]

Shouldn't the cam bearing surfaces around the outside of the two wheels where they contact the insides of the blade brackets be oiled or greased as well?

[@sierraromeo]

I was wondering the same thing, my cam seems to have a plastic thrust button on top. I might work some grade 0 grease into the rollers.

[@tracykey9227]

They're bearings, so they roll as the bearing soins; so lubing the outside of the bearing isn't needed or recommended.

[@ncdave4life]

5:40 - you reversed the orientation of the bottom bushing from how it came from the factory, in the replacement kit. Did it come misassembled?

[@evolutionaryTom]

I did turn it around. I don't know if it's supposed to come oriented as they should be installed, but I needed to turn it around so it would be oriented the same way as I removed the original, David. Whenever I disassemble something I do it just like that so my memory doesn't get me in trouble. -Tom

[@tyyg9469]

How to do oil the blades? I've been searching online but can't find a definitive answer. So are we supposed to put 3-4 drops on each single blade before and after the hair cut? Or should the oil just go on the back blades as that is where the top and bottom blades contact?

[@evolutionaryTom]

Oil the blades before you each haircut. I put 3 drops on the blades. One one each end and one in the middle. I put the drop of oil where the two blades contact each other. That way both blades both get oil on them. Then I turn it on and let it run for about 15 seconds before I start the haircut, in order to let it spread the oil out a bit. That's it. You'll be good to go.

[@DBTdad]

4:38 layout

[@childofthecreatorgod9962]

I bought my Flowbee in 1985, still going strong, no barber shops for me.

[@evolutionaryTom]

I love hearing from Flowbee Pros like you! That is too cool! -Tom

[@clodinebonar3572]

Great product. I've bought extenders 3 times. Ready for more. I have to tape them on..but I don't mind...lol

[@ssj3vegett0]

just did my 1st FB Cut today...was awesome ..like to keep it that way..any tips you can share with me? how often you oil, how do you clean the Clippers? and so on? then maybe mine can go 30+yrs like yours did

[@mygt8a4re]

@@ssj3vegett0 I've owned my vintage original Flowbee for about 25 yrs now (1996). I purchased it on an infomercial on TV and have used it to cut my hair ever since. I cut my sons hair with it for about 19 of his 22yr life before he decided to go with his own hair cuts with a barber. Everything I have is still original, even the blades. I take it apart and clean it really good once/yr. I oil the blades after every use, a drop of oil on the center of each blade and run it w/o the vacuum cut a minute or two to distribute the oil. It works like champ. I'm actually looking to order my first set of replacement blades, which brought me here.

[@Caroline_622]

I totally did not see the second cord to plug in. Working now :-|

[@evolutionaryTom]

Glad to hear that. Just saw your first comment, SC. Good luck on your first cut!! -Tom