Adjustable Problem

[GoldenBacon]

I recently obtained a Gillette slim adjustable razor. Just about everything works fine, except one thing, it's the adjuster ring. It just wont budge. I have tried everything, I've boiled it, I've soaked it in WD-40, scrubbing bubble etc.

So my question is, does anyone know how to loosen it or what might be wrong with the mechanism? Anything would be helpful at this point.

 

[Uncle Erik]

It could simply be gunked up, even now. Have you tried boiling the razor yet? I boil all of mine. The heat makes the razor expand, the boiling water will get in, and it might knock the thing loose. If that fails, you might want to look into a penetrating oil used to free stuck screws and bolts. Good luck and I hope you get your Slim working - they're fine razors.

 

[GoldenBacon]

It could simply be gunked up, even now. Have you tried boiling the razor yet? I boil all of mine. The heat makes the razor expand, the boiling water will get in, and it might knock the thing loose. If that fails, you might want to look into a penetrating oil used to free stuck screws and bolts. Good luck and I hope you get your Slim working - they're fine razors.

Thanks for the response, and yes i boiled it for about five minutes and then pulled it out and it still wouldn't budge. I am currently soaking it in oil.

 

[Copierguy]

I have spent whole evenings soaking twisting with fingers soaking again etc....so far I have not encountered one that would not eventually free up.

Good luck....

 

[GoldenBacon]

I have spent whole evenings soaking twisting with fingers soaking again etc....so far I have not encountered one that would not eventually free up.

Good luck....

Thanks, I guess it's time to knock it up a notch on this razor!

 

[raisindot]

When you say "adjuster ring" do you mean that you can't get it to "turn" (i.e., can't go from 1-2, it won't click, etc.)

I just picked up a Fatboy with a similar problem. The adjuster was stuck between 7 and 9, and wouldn't turn back.

I followed instructions given to me when I posted a "help me" thread (I posted it on May 11th or 12th) and a kind person here pointed me to a site with instructions on how to fix these.

Anyway, I did two things--I "took it apart" by unscrewing the bottom thingie, taking out the spring and rod connecting to the doors. That didn't initially fix it. What did was the suggestion to try to "push in" the little red notch that marks the numbers. Mine was 'stick out' a bit, and when I used a toothpick to push it into the groove the dial totally loosened up and now it's fine.

Jeff in Boston

 

[GoldenBacon]

Well, I worked late into the night. Just when I was about to call it quits, the dial finely turned!

 

[polod]

A good trick is to use a piece of cloth wrapped around the adjuster ring or piece of leather and a pair of long handled pliers. The cloth and leather are wrapped around the dial a few times to prevent marring of the finish from the teeth of the pliers. I usually spray a solvent into the dial like Kroil, Liquid Wrench, etc.. or some penetrating solvent to free up rusted/frozen bolts. I let the solvent sit for about 1-2 hours. Then I use the pliers and turn the dial. If it's stuck on 9, try to turn it down, if it's stuck on 1 or a lower number, try to dial it up to a higher number. I freed a couple of adjustables and a Fatboy.

Note, I had one pretty nice condition Fatboy a couple of years ago, no plate loss and perfect shape but.... couldn't free the adjuster no matter what I did. So I salvaged some parts off the razor like the end cap, spring, silo doors, hinges, center rod and tossed to rest of the razor into the garbage. But that was before I tried pliers. Now I regret that I threw out the razor and I probably could have freed the adjuster on it using the plier trick. But I didn't think of it at the time! I would have had a very nice fatboy, BTW I paid $2 for it.