First restore - and a success

[shm]

Background story first;

I bought a lot of mixed razors which where in good to poor condition. Among the lot was an E4 Fat Boy which cosmetic looked okay, but the blade adjustment knob only turned to 5, and the silo doors wasn't moving too well either and they where rather spotted.

I then found this link: http://vintagesaws.com/fatboy/fatboy.html and thought why not give it a go.

I did, and I am kind of proud of myself, since I'm not the most skilled mechanic, but I managed to take it apart without damaging it (or myself for that matter).
Thoroughly cleaned all the parts, greased them up in case the razor should be taken apart again some time, and got it assembled again (no leftover parts )

My pictures of the process (Be warned! I went a little crazy with the camera): http://www.shm.dk/shave/fat_boy_restore.htm

In the lot was also two Slim Adjustable's where one had been the victim of a large wrench or a vice, the handle was oval and really in a bad shape. In the process of trying to take it apart it broke, but the doors where in a nice shape so they have been donated to the Fat Boy.
Since this went rather well, I'm in the process of restoring the other Slim, but that's another story.

I am now the happy owner of a Fat Boy in working condition. Only thing is a slight resistance in the TTO knob the last couple of mm when closing the doors, but I can live with that.

I know what I'm going to try out tomorrow, and No you don't get to guess

I can't help myself, got to show the finished result.

 

[mdunn]

nice one - another rescue saved

 

[luvmysuper]

Glad to see it wasn't relegated to the trash heap, as it might have been with a lesser man!
Congrats and thanks for saving one.

 

[the beav]

Nice work. BTW, there was a discussion a few months ago about black vs. brass rings. My opinion was that all the brass rings were painted black, then the paint came off on some of them through cleaning, revealing the brass. Looks like that's what happened to yours.

 

[Oldguy]

Really nice work and dedication. Good job.

Len

 

[T Rick]

Really nice work, thanks for the pics too. Those will be helpful to those of us inclined to tackle a job like this!

 

[dog]

great job! it's nice to see a good restoration job like this as opposed to seeing our coveted razors gradually disappearing

I'm still a newbie, but I am really coming to appreciate all the vintage hardware.

 

[DSB]

Great satisfaction in a job well done!

 

[Cmaster03]

Very nice job, good for you. Cool link, too.

 

[justice4all]

That is really great work. I always wondered if those could be taken apart and restored, I guess now I know.

 

[ctakim]

Nice job SHM! By the way, you are aware that both the Slim and the Fat Boy lock down with the last quarter turn of the TTO knob? This results in increased resistance to the last turn of the knob when you tighten the razor doors down. What you describe might be different, though.

Thanks for the photo!

 

[nemo]

Good work, that's a challenging job! Were you able to determine the cause of the adjustment being limited to 5? Just curious.

 

[shm]

Nice job SHM! By the way, you are aware that both the Slim and the Fat Boy lock down with the last quarter turn of the TTO knob? This results in increased resistance to the last turn of the knob when you tighten the razor doors down. What you describe might be different, though.

I wasn't aware of that, I went and tested the TTO knob, and I think that just might be it. Thanks.

Good work, that's a challenging job! Were you able to determine the cause of the adjustment being limited to 5? Just curious.

No not really, I was so focused on not breaking anything, I forgot to pay attention.
I'll pay more attention next time something like this comes up, now that I know the procedures.

 

[amishmotorboat]

Good work, that's a challenging job! Were you able to determine the cause of the adjustment being limited to 5? Just curious.

That's what I was thinking too. Sounds like an overclock issue, which doesn't require taking apart. Still, the experience of doing so is it's own reward. I had wondered about the doors being a match, too. They seem to be slightly different between fat boy and slim. Good to know that it can be done.

 

[Darjeeling Express]

SHM, incredible photo essay. If only there was a video of the take apart and reassembly. Great work.

 

[wimbouman]

Great work!
Welcome to the FOG!

(that is the Fatboy Owners Group, indeed!)

 

[theinternot]

Thank you for posting this!

I purchased a Fat Boy off the bay and paid way too much for it. It was suggested by the seller that the razor just needed a good cleaning, but upon receiving it, it was evident that it was in mechanical distress as well.

Your restoration has given me great hope that I will be able to salvage my razor and not lose the money I spent on the purchase.

 

[valmara1971]

Thanks for posting and thanks for the how to guide also. I have a Fat boy with issues comming to me soon so this will be very usefull to me.
Gents have you come across any other how to's like this? I suggest an area of the wiki be given to restoration how to's.

 

[texbilly]

Doesn't it feel good? Nice work.

 

[RCC]

very nice work. congrats.