FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT . . . Merlin® Electric Hoof Knife
Q. What is the Merlin® Hoof Trimming Tool Set used for?
A. The Merlin® was specifically designed for hoof trimming. The Merlin® can quickly removing excess hoof wall material or over-growth, clean pith from the sole area and dress the flare from the hoof wall. The Merlin® is excellent for both corrective and routine or maintenance trimming.
Q: How do I know if I can trim with the Merlin®?
A: If you’re currently trimming with or know how to trim with nippers, a rasp and a hoof knife, and are comfortable around power tools then you shouldn’t have any problem using the Merlin®.
Q: Who was the Merlin® designed for?
A: The Merlin® was designed for Farriers, Veterinarians, and Horse Owners that do their own trimming.
Q: How long has it been on the market?
A: Used by Farriers and Hoof Trimmers for the past 6 years.
Performance
Q: How long does it take to trim a hoof?
A: Everyone has their own speed but people say that it’s shortened their trimming time. Sometimes by almost half.
Q: Is it faster than trimming by hand?
A: Not at first but this is the type of tool that the more you use it the better you get. It may not be faster at first but it’ll be easier.
Q: Can you trim the frog?
A: Some people use the Merlin. Most people still use their hoof knife. Try it and decide which is easier for you.
Q: Is there a learning curve?
A: Just takes minutes to get the feel of the Merlin and to start using it. It’ll take a few trimmings to get comfortable and begin to pick up speed. You can practice on a piece of wood to speed up your proficiency.
Q: Does this tool require learning some new trimming technique?
A: About the only thing new is to remember to tie up the horse’s tail. You don’t want to risk the chance of getting the tail caught in the grinder when you’re working on the rear feet. Everything else stays the same except the type of tool you’re using to remove the material from the hoof.
Q: What’s the 'Aha' moment?
A: The tool allows you to make a very smooth, controlled, precise cut without any grabbing or kick back. When you first run the tool you’ll have the 'Aha' moment. “Aha, now I understand what they’re saying".
Q: Do you recommend using a hoof support system?
A: We strongly recommend your using a support system like the Hoofjack® . The tool can be operated with one hand and this allows you to use your free hand for increased balance. Reduces stress on your body.
Q: Is it electric or powered by battery?
A: 110 volt electric.
Q: Can it be powered by using a DC/AC inverter?
A: The grinder pulls 1 amp / 100 watts of power. The Merlin can be operated very effectively with an inverter plugged into your car/truck 12 volt power outlet.
Q: What about a battery powered grinder?
A: Not yet, but we’re working on it. Need smaller, more powerful batteries.
Q: I have Arthritis in my hands. Is it going to be difficult to hold the grinder?
A: Not at all. The neck grinder is real small, you use a light grip and you exert a minimum amount of pressure to make the tool cut.
Q: I’ve got a bad back. How’s this tool going to help me?
A: By using the Merlin in conjunction with a Hoofjack® to support the hoof it reduces the physical stress of trying to hold the hoof in place while trimming.
Q: How do you hold the Merlin®?
A: For the greatest amount of control over the grinder, its best when you use a light grip on the grinder neck, just below the gear head. When you’re handling the grinder in this manner it begins to feel balanced in your hand
Q: How do you practice using the Merlin®?
A: We recommend that you practice with a piece of 4” x 4” cedar. It’s easy to master the simple, smooth pulling action and incredible control the Merlin® offers. You can remove hoof material in very thin layers. With use and practice you can make the Merlin® cut in any direction, forward, backwards and from side to side.
Q: How do you desensitize the horse to the Merlin®?
A: Start by letting the horse see and smell the Merlin®. Next turn the tool on while in close proximity of the horse. The Merlin® is about 100 decibels and most horses acclimate quickly. Next let the horse feel the vibration of the Merlin®. as it moves through your body and felt by the horse. The last step is to actually touch the horses’ hoof with the tool.
Q: Any problems with using an extension cord?
A: If you’ll keep yourself between the power supply and the horse you’ll minimize your cord management. Make sure everything is properly grounded.
Q: Does the blade get hot on the hoof during the trimming?
A: The accessories generate little to no heat and nothing that would be detrimental to the hoof.
Q: Is Merlin® available for worldwide use.
A: Yes. The variable speed model is available in 110 volt 60HZ for the North American and Japanese markets. For the European, United Kingdom and Australasian markets, Merlin® is available in 220–240 Volt 50/60HZ.
PRODUCT
Q: Which hoof trimming set do you recommend?
A: If you don’t trim miniature horses order #10090 Merlin Equine Hoof Trimming Set.
If you trim miniature horses order #10095 Merlin Mini-Equine Hoof Trimming Set.
Q: What comes in the Merlin Equine Hoof Trimming Sets?
| WHAT’S INCLUDED |
Merlin Equine
Hoof Trim Set
(#10090) |
Mini-Equine
Hoof Trim Set
(#10095) |
| Variable Speed (6,500-13,000rpm), Miniature Long Neck Angle Grinder |
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| 4-Tooth Chain Saw Disc (#21004) |
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| Flap Disc Sander (#10003) |
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| Aluminum Oxide Cutting Disc (#10008) |
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| Quick Start Instructions / Extensive FAQ’s included |
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| Hard Plastic Carrying Case |
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| Tungsten Carbide “V” Disc – Green (#10012) |
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| Tungsten Carbide Disc – Fine Grit – Garnet (#10011) |
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Q: What’s the difference between the Equine Set (#10090) and the Mini-Equine Set (#10095)?
A: The difference is which tungsten carbide disc comes with the set. The Mini-Equine (#10095) set has the Garnet disc (#10011) that is used to remove material from a small hoof through abrasion. The Equine Set (#10090)
Q: What’s the length of the grinder?
A: The grinder is about 11” long.
Q: How much does the tool weigh?
A: One and a half pounds.
Q. What are the different accessories included in each kit used for?
Q: How do you use the Garnet Disc (#10011)?
A: The Garnet disc is primarily used to remove material from a small hoof through abrasion. It can also be used like a rasp.
Q: What’s the Green “V” Disc (#10012) used for?
A: Designed to make a plunge or vertical cut to help clean out sand cracks, used various ways when doing re-sections and doing things like roughing the hoof prior to using glue on shoes.
Q: Which disc do you use on the sole area of the hoof?
A: 4-tooth chain saw disc (#21004).
Q: Is the Merlin® noisy?
A: Same noise level as you would expect from a pair of electric clippers used to trim the bridle path. About 100 decibels.
Sharpening
Q: Do you sharpen the blade with a chain saw file?
A: YES but it has to be a diamond tipped file. Order Diamond File #11050.
Q: How many horses can you trim before you have to sharpen the blade?
A: It’s OK to sharpen the blade after each horse if you want to. It only takes a couple of minutes. We recommend not going more than 4-5 horses before re-sharpening.
Q: Are the chain saw blades easy to sharpen?
A: Yes. You can easily touch up and sharpen the chain saw teeth with a sharpener (#11050) available from King Arthur’s Tools.
Q: Will a regular chain saw file sharpen the 4-tooth blade?
A: No. The tungsten carbide teeth are way too hard for a standard file. King Arthur’s Tools offers a fold-up diamond tipped file (#11050) in a plastic case. It’s great for carrying around in your pocket.
Q: Can I sharpen my hoof knife with the diamond hand file?
A: Yes. Professionals report that the file works great on hoof knives.
Safety and Myths
Q: Are the tools safe?
A: Yes. We have never had a chain break, discs crack or blades fly off the grinder. Not one has ever been returned through customer dissatisfaction or manufacturing defect.
Q: How safe is the Merlin®?
A: Merlin® is a safe tool when you follow the instructions and how-to tips. We add a major word of caution. If you remove the safety guard and run either the saw chain blade or green disc, it’s NOT safe! The blades were designed to cut with the teeth on the bottom and exposed left side of the blade. Removing the safety guard exposes the top half of the blade to the fingers when held in the preferred position. DO NOT REMOVE GUARD.
Q. What safety equipment do I need when using the Merlin®?
A. When using the Merlin® you should always wear gloves, eye protection, and chaps or some sort of leg protection. As an additional safety measure, we recommend that you purchase a pair of Kylar gloves that are made for use around chain saws.
Safety Guard
Q: Do I have to change the position of the safety guard?
A: We recommend using the safety guard between 23º and 90º, in the position safest and most comfortable for the way you hold the tool.
Q: Can I work without a safety guard?
A: No, no and heck no! It’s not good for your health or safety. If you want to remove the safety guard for any reason, don’t use our blades. Running them without a safety guard is done so at your own risk. Please don’t under any circumstance!
Chain Maintenance
Q: Is the chain replaceable?
A: Yes. We recommend having one spare 4-tooth circlet on hand.
Q: Do the chains require oil?
A: No, the only maintenance required is to sharpen the teeth.
