Fatboy Maintenance Help Please!

[B-One]

The Fatboy pictured below arrived today. As you can see it is in gorgeous cosmetic condition.

The TTO knob turns nicely for most of the cycle, but it seems to hang up in one area. It turns nicely, meets with some resistance like it is getting stuck, and then turns nicely again. I can't track down the problem for sure, but it seems like it might be the the little cap in the handle as it turns on the outer threads. Does this seem plausible? What else could it be? How might I go about fixing it? Is this even a problem? Thanks folks for helping.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

That is the way all Gillette adjustables work. The final 1/4 turn, as it's sometimes called, "locks' everything down.

 

[ShavinBacon]

That is the way all Gillette adjustables work. The final 1/4 turn, as it's sometimes called, "locks' everything down.

+1 As you close the doors, the final 1/4 turn has a small catch, then smoothly locks the doors down.

 

[B-One]

I am aware of that, but the catch is before that final turn. It is more of a turrrrrrrrn-tight-turrrn-tighten to lock.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Ah,OK. Sounds like it could be a mechanical issue. Maybe a drop or two of mineral oil, or a soak in soapy water to maybe free up a bit of crud or something that may be inside?

 

[B-One]

Ah,OK. Sounds like it could be a mechanical issue. Maybe a drop or two of mineral oil, or a soak in soapy water to maybe free up a bit of crud or something that may be inside?

That's what I am hoping for. I tried the mineral oil without success so far. I gave it a good soak for a few hours today, maybe it needs more. I'll shoot some scrubbing bubbles up and down the handle and see if that frees things up. Then I will soak it overnight.

I am still looking for mechanical possibilities not related to crud build up, but I don't want to disassemble this unless I absolutely have to.

 

[JeffOlson]

I got a Slim a while back that took many, many soakings and rinses before all of the decades of crud inside it came out...

 

[dynagroove]

I just took apart and repaired my new to me Fatboy and this link was instrumental in my success. You'll probably not need to disassemble yours at all if the oil fixes things, but you'll get a good idea of how the TTO mechanism works and which part is binding. If you have the screw on cap type, it's pretty easy to take that cap off for better cleaning access. Here's the link: http://vintagesaws.com/fatboy/fatboy.html.

 

[B-One]

I just opened the bottom up! It is immaculate inside; nothing, just clean shiny metal.

I rotated the top assembly 1/2 a turn and that significantly reduced, but didn't completely solve the issue. I didn't see any binding on the doors nor the blade elevating mechanisms.

I bought this one to sell, but I feel like I am developing a relationship with it. It is sooooo nice.

 

[B-One]

I just took apart and repaired my new to me Fatboy and this link was instrumental in my success. You'll probably not need to disassemble yours at all if the oil fixes things, but you'll get a good idea of how the TTO mechanism works and which part is binding. If you have the screw on cap type, it's pretty easy to take that cap off for better cleaning access. Here's the link: http://vintagesaws.com/fatboy/fatboy.html.

Got that one bookmarked! Consulted it before I opened it up. Great resource.

 

[Copierguy]

There is about 1 and a 1/2 turns from doors totally open to the start of the lock down 1/4 turn. If your tight spot is about 1/2 way, then this would be about the time the doors are closed and lowering. If the doors still rattle at this point yet you feel the tight spot, that may suggest the stiffness is in the handle and not the head. Some things to look for could be:
1) Is the shaft in the center of the hole as it enters the handle?
2) With the doors open completely, inspect the threads seen inside the TTO knob at the bottom of the handle. Any irregular spots?
3) If nothing is seen like a binding door, bent rod or damaged thread then something may be found restricting free movement inside the handle. If the razor is a '58 or '59, I believe the retainer in the TTO knob unscrews easily.

 

[Go West Young Man]

That crud has been building up for 50 years, give it more than an afternoon to break up!

 

[rxonmymind]

Ah,OK. Sounds like it could be a mechanical issue. Maybe a drop or two of mineral oil, or a soak in soapy water to maybe free up a bit of crud or something that may be inside?

And two alka seltzers. That should do it.

 

[larzone]

That's not even a problem. My Fatboy's does that to.

 

[B-One]

Thanks Fellows! I found it. I am not sure of the terminology on the anatomy (maybe one of you could point me to a diagram or thread explaining the parts) but the hang up was where the arrow is pointing. A very gentle spreading with a lock ring pliers is all it took.

 

[Copierguy]

Congrats......Looks like you are pointing at the safety bar. They serve double duty, 1 like a bumper on a car (keeps you from cutting off your nose and ears if you bump into them) and 2 they also serve as stops while the doors open and close. ****Edit- Good spotting BTW......I was leading you in the wrong direction.-edit****

 

[B-One]

Safety Bar! New knowledge added to my brain. Thanks. Whether you led me in the wrong direction or not, I picked up info that I wouldn't have otherwise. Thank you all for your help.

 

[alex2363]

Congrats......Looks like you are pointing at the safety bar. They serve double duty, 1 like a bumper on a car (keeps you from cutting off your nose and ears if you bump into them) and 2 they also serve as stops while the doors open and close. ****Edit- Good spotting BTW......I was leading you in the wrong direction.-edit****

You did the best you could without looking at it in person, i would have given the bar advise because my problematic adjustables always have bar problems. Like a Toggle that i am going to fix for a member. I hope to fix it without taking apart ( those retainer rings tend to break easy)