Best Clippers

Question
Hello:
My name is Melody & I am from Arkansas.  Our climate is VERY humid & hot in the summer months.  I have a 10 year old Golden Retriever named Jodie with a very thick coat.  She weighs approx. 70 lbs. In the past, a friend of mine who was a groomer would take her coat down almost to the skin so that she could survive the summer heat.  She no longer grooms dogs and every other groomer I checked with wants $60-$70---too expensive for me!  I want to invest in a set of clippers for myself so that I can do it.  She is a farm dog & being beautiful is not necessary or practical.  My main objective is for her to be cool and comfortable.  I want to take her coat down as short as possible.  Can you recommend the best type of clippers I should purchase & give me an idea on what # of blade I will want to buy as well.  I tried it once before with a set of cheap clippers (like $20) and I made one sweep thru her hair and it would not cut anymore.  Her hair is thicker than most golden's I have seen before.  When my friend would cut her hair, she took it down short enough that you could see the heat spots on her back and sides.  This is how short I want to get her b/c it will last the whole summer and she will have her coat back right in time for winter.  
  I am afraid to spend alot of money on clippers that will not even finish the job.  Any suggestions on what I should purchase to do the job? My friend actually used sheep shears on her to cut her hair.  And also: can you send the blades off somewhere to have them sharpened when they get dull or is it better to just buy new blades?
  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Melody  

Answer
Hello Melody,  There is a website www.petedge.com where most groomers order all their supplies.  I use the
andis A-5 2 speed clipper as the high speed is good for getting through thick coats.  I use the oster blades however.  They will fit the andis clippers.  For the belly and arm pits use a #10 blade, this is safe for the skin areas and the arm pits where the skin can easily be cut.  For the body as a professional I would use a #9 blade, however this blade if the skin is not strecthed smooth will cut the dog.  For a novice a 7F blade is safer.  But let me put it to you this way Melody.  You say you would have to pay a groomer 60 or so dollars, well the clippers with a 10 blade will run you around $120.  then the 7F blade will will cost around $15.00, you will need at least 2 of these as the blades will run hot with use and you will need to switch between the two.  So you will also need an arosal spray called Kool Lube to keep the blades cool.  You can send the blades to Oster in McMinnville TN to sharpen them if necessary.  Now add the time it will take you to accomplish the grooming.  You might weigh out the two choices.  Everything you could possibly need you will find at this website, even a video to help you with some grooming tips.  Thanks, Cindy Lou :)