Broken Ladies Star Gillette

[kjparker]

HI,

I recently won this on Ebay with the intention of trying to convince SWMBO to try DE shaving.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380201309277&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:AU:1123

I got it today and to my dismay find that it is broken! The base plate has become detached from the handle.

From the reading I have done, the accepted method of repair is to re-peen the handle back to the head, however this doesnt look to be possible, as the handle being aluminium, appears to have had the "peened" parts broken off at the time of breaking.

I have attempted to contact the seller to discuss, however I havent heard back yet, but I will give them a day to respond before I attempt anything.

I have looked at it, and I can see how I would go about pulling it apart, doesnt look real hard, but my question is how would I go about re-attaching the head to the handle, Could I carefully attempt to solder it? would it hold?

I guess I could also use an epoxy of some sort as well.

thoughts?

 

[Darjeeling Express]

This is very disappointing. Those are pretty hardy razors and sadly yours was badly mistreated. I would not invest the effort to try to fix it. You need to get a refund and buy a new one. I sympathize with your plight.

 

[kjparker]

This is very disappointing. Those are pretty hardy razors and sadly yours was badly mistreated. I would not invest the effort to try to fix it. You need to get a refund and buy a new one. I sympathize with your plight.

Id agree with you with the exception of one small point. I have never seen another one on ebay (au)! Finding another could be hard!

 

[Darjeeling Express]

Just be patient, these pop up all the time, really. Search Lady Gillette, or blue star. You'll find one very soon. Good luck with it all.

 

[kjparker]

will do. Need to see what the sellers response is....

On checking their feedback profile, turns out that good descriptions / describing faults isnt their strong point...

 

[Sledgehammer39]

Hey I feel your pain. I have had some bad transactions from the bay myself. I hope the seller refunds you your money. I take it that those razors are pretty hard to come by down under?

 

[kjparker]

Hey I feel your pain. I have had some bad transactions from the bay myself. I hope the seller refunds you your money. I take it that those razors are pretty hard to come by down under?

yep, in the time I had been looking for razors (of any time) this is the first of these I have seen on ebay-au

If the seller comes good, and I end up keeping it, wonder how I would go about the repair. It's going to be a shaver, not a collectors piece, so if there is a slight cosmetic problem, i dont mind so much

 

[kjparker]

Just got an email back from the seller, whilst she doesnt understand what I mean, she agree's that something is wrong! She is going to refund the money. No word yet as to wether she wants me to send it back....

Edit:

She told me to keep it, she refunded the whole amount, but given it was an honest mistake especially given she asked for more information on what to look forso this doesnt happen again, I'll be sending her back the actual postage cost, as I will be trying to fix it.

Alls well that ends (relatively) well. Lady star gillette for $4.6 AUD

 

[Pike]

as I will be trying to fix it.

Alls well that ends (relatively) well. Lady star gillette for $4.6 AUD

If you are unsure or lack the tools, you can send it snail mail to the U.S...(cost me about $5.40 US one way for a single razor) I will fix it for you.

 

[kjparker]

If you are unsure or lack the tools, you can send it snail mail to the U.S...(cost me about $5.40 US one way for a single razor) I will fix it for you.

Thanks for the offer.

What method should I be using to repair this? I have it apart, and have "dry fit" the parts back together, however I notice that there isnt enough of the collar left to peen out to hold on the head.

I do have a small pen type blow torch, the type used for silver soldering and the like, but I assume this would affect the plating, which apeart from a very small amount of brassing on the underside, is very good.

My other thought was a small amount of epoxy.

other thoughts?

 

[Schwert]

I don't think you can solder dissimilar metals like that.

Epoxy may work.

 

[Pike]

Thanks for the offer.



I do have a small pen type blow torch, the type used for silver soldering and the like, but I assume this would affect the plating,

other thoughts?

I wouldn't take a torch to it! I would have to see the clearance between the head and handle....a combination of flaring the top of the handle ever so slightly, and 4 tiny swedges made with a center punch from the top should do it w/out having to use any glue. As the swedge would be on the blade bed, only you would know it's there!

 

[kjparker]

Thanks I might take you up on the offer. I'll send you some clear photo's of it tonight, so you can see the damage, and make a judgement call before I send it to you!

 

[Darjeeling Express]

This is turning into a wonderful tale. I was very encouraged to hear of the seller's appropriate, yet very decent response. I was also taken by kjparker's level of integrity to refund the seller's shipping cost. Now the fun begins, the Blue Star's long voyage to the other side of the world where Pike will attempt to resurrect her broken body.

 

[luvmysuper]

This is turning into a wonderful tale. I was very encouraged to hear of the seller's appropriate, yet very decent response. I was also taken by kjparker's level of integrity to refund the seller's shipping cost. Now the fun begins, the Blue Star's long voyage to the other side of the world where Pike will attempt to resurrect her broken body.

... But seriously... good show, Pike!!

 

[Pike]

... But seriously... good show, Pike!!

LOL....I will never be able to look at Titatanic the same again!

It would be my pleasure to have a go at resurrecting the Lady.

 

[kjparker]

Ok, bit of a delay here, I had a good look at it, had a good think about what it's intended purpose is, and it's value.

I came to the conclusion, that the postage each way was going to more than the item is worth, also given how badly the neck was broken (there was barely any of the collar there, just enough to locate the head. I used Super Strength Epoxy (dries almost clear) very sparingly on the head, and affixed it back to the handle.

It came out better that I expected, and looks great! It's internals are currently soaking in some clr solution right now, but will take come pics once I have finished cleaning it up.