An apparatus for automatically slicing apples or other produce items into a plurality of wedge shaped segments, wherein said apparatus has a circular array of generally V-shaped blades (141 - 146), each of said blades having first and second legs (146a, 146b), an apex having an apex angle formed by said first and second legs (146a, 146b), and having first and second tips (146j, 146k) at the ends of said first and second legs (146a, 146b), respectively, wherein an outer blade support ring carries said array of blades, and wherein an inner blade support hub removably supports each of said blades (141 - 146) at said apex, characterised in that the apparatus further comprises: first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n) formed at said tips (146j, 146k) of each of said legs each of said first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n) having first and second arms (146r, 146s, 146t, 146u); said first arm (146t, 146u) comprising a section of said first and second legs (146a, 146b) of said blades adjacent said tips (146j, 146k) of said legs, and said second arms (146r, 146s) comprising a free arm of said U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n), wherein said free arms (146r, 146s) of each of said tabs extend in a direction generally toward said apex and also form a tapered surface between said free arms (146r, 146s) wherein the distance between said second arms increases closer to said apex; clinch means for each of said blades (141 - 146) for removably interlocking with and connecting with said first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n) of each blade (141 - 146), wherein each clinch means includes a recessed block extending between and interlocking with said first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n) without any welding; wherein each said clinch means also includes a threaded and tapered nut removably carried in said recess wherein said nut frictionally engages said second arm (146r, 146s) of both of said first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n); and blade tensioning means for tensioning each of said blades (141 - 146), said tensioning means including a threaded member extending from said outer support ring, through each said block, and threadably connecting to each said tapered nut, whereby tightening said threaded member tensions said blade (141 - 146), and whereby loosening said threaded member and disconnecting said threaded member from said nut and said block allows said blade (141 - 146) to be quickly removed, allowing a replacement blade to be inserted, and said tapered nut and said block to be reused with said replacement blade. first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n) formed at said tips (146j, 146k) of each of said legs each of said first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n) having first and second arms (146r, 146s, 146t, 146u); said first arm (146t, 146u) comprising a section of said first and second legs (146a, 146b) of said blades adjacent said tips (146j, 146k) of said legs, and said second arms (146r, 146s) comprising a free arm of said U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n), wherein said free arms (146r, 146s) of each of said tabs extend in a direction generally toward said apex and also form a tapered surface between said free arms (146r, 146s) wherein the distance between said second arms increases closer to said apex; clinch means for each of said blades (141 - 146) for removably interlocking with and connecting with said first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n) of each blade (141 - 146), wherein each clinch means includes a recessed block extending between and interlocking with said first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n) without any welding; wherein each said clinch means also includes a threaded and tapered nut removably carried in said recess wherein said nut frictionally engages said second arm (146r, 146s) of both of said first and second U-shaped tabs (146m, 146n); and blade tensioning means for tensioning each of said blades (141 - 146), said tensioning means including a threaded member extending from said outer support ring, through each said block, and threadably connecting to each said tapered nut, whereby tightening said threaded member tensions said blade (141 - 146), and whereby loosening said threaded member and disconnecting said threaded member from said nut and said block allows said blade (141 - 146) to be quickly removed, allowing a replacement blade to be inserted, and said tapered nut and said block to be reused with said replacement blade.