Bought a AEG HES-50 hedge trimmer at a yard sale. Liked it cause it has nice 3/4" cutter openings. Problem is: I tried trimming a gardenia with maybe 1/4" branches; trimmer jams up and slip clutch won't let it cut through.

Took it apart, clutch has what looks like a watch band that provides the slip. No way to adjust it. I'm considering jamming the clutch so it CAN'T slip.

Anyone have any other ideas? It's a good trimmer, other than that. But I need to be able to cut thicker branches, like on my azaleas.