Gillette Toggle Disassembly
- Thread starter Captain Murphy
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #162
Thank you guys
John, the only patient that has never survived was a Wizamet 10 from Poland, given to me by Goleniapl. It is still in a plastic bag though, waiting for one day when I can really work some magic
My ultimate goal with that one was to make a custom hardwood replacement for the cracked plastic one. I could do the same thing with the Schick Krona if I set my mind to it.
John, the only patient that has never survived was a Wizamet 10 from Poland, given to me by Goleniapl. It is still in a plastic bag though, waiting for one day when I can really work some magic
My ultimate goal with that one was to make a custom hardwood replacement for the cracked plastic one. I could do the same thing with the Schick Krona if I set my mind to it.- Thread starter
- #163
- Thread starter
- #164
As previously mentioned, Czech Czar's toggle had a free-spinning adjuster dial which led me to think that the click spring on the inside of the adjuster mechanism was either faulty or broken altogether. Well, on the first toggle that I disassembled, I studied the adjuster mechanism very closely to see if there was some way that it could be taken apart for servicing and repair. I made the decision not to explore this area as it featured a press-fitting...not the easiest joint to just take apart with your standard tools.
About a month went by and I received this one. The first thing I noticed was the free-spinning dial. I immediately knew that I would have to venture into unknown territory (for me at least, and there aren't any photos like the ones I am about to post) so I was somewhat nervous on this one.
Luckily, I had successfully removed a similar press-fitting on @GlennConti's 1956 Nickel Serial Toggle. I would not have been able to accomplish this task without the experience that I gained from Glenn's razor so thanks Glenn! Anyways, the two press-fittings on these toggles differed slightly but the basic principle was the same, that is, a larger piece pressed on the end of a smaller piece.
I had to rig a setup in order to stabilize the head assembly and then I quite literally extracted the press-fitting in the same fashion as Glenn's serial toggle. Surprisingly, it came off very easily. Of course, I had soaked it about 25 times in a combination of solutions including penetrating oils and such so needless to say, the parts were lubricated.
Anyways, here are the photos of the head assembly after I removed the press fitting:
Now we can see the insides of the Gillette Toggle adjuster mechanism. The click spring is now exposed and we can see how everything works. In fact, in the Patent description, the inventors note that the blade gap is set by turning the collar up or down. Good stuff!
About a month went by and I received this one. The first thing I noticed was the free-spinning dial. I immediately knew that I would have to venture into unknown territory (for me at least, and there aren't any photos like the ones I am about to post) so I was somewhat nervous on this one.
Luckily, I had successfully removed a similar press-fitting on @GlennConti's 1956 Nickel Serial Toggle. I would not have been able to accomplish this task without the experience that I gained from Glenn's razor so thanks Glenn! Anyways, the two press-fittings on these toggles differed slightly but the basic principle was the same, that is, a larger piece pressed on the end of a smaller piece.
I had to rig a setup in order to stabilize the head assembly and then I quite literally extracted the press-fitting in the same fashion as Glenn's serial toggle. Surprisingly, it came off very easily. Of course, I had soaked it about 25 times in a combination of solutions including penetrating oils and such so needless to say, the parts were lubricated.
Anyways, here are the photos of the head assembly after I removed the press fitting:
Now we can see the insides of the Gillette Toggle adjuster mechanism. The click spring is now exposed and we can see how everything works. In fact, in the Patent description, the inventors note that the blade gap is set by turning the collar up or down. Good stuff!
Last edited:
Fascinating and just in time for the weekend.
- Thread starter
- #166
Thanks Tom! Here are some photos of the insides of the lower piece that I removed:
As we can see, (and my initial suspicions were proven here) there is a very small piece of the click spring that is stuck on the inside.
As we can see, (and my initial suspicions were proven here) there is a very small piece of the click spring that is stuck on the inside.
Very Cool Cap!
CAP, I think I must have resembled the RCA dog looking at the piece of spring and the slot while tilting my head one way then the other. LOL
- Thread starter
- #169
Please excuse my poor photography skills.- Thread starter
- #170
The top part of the head assembly was the worst. It was seized very badly and it took quite a bit of tinkering to get it apart. Ultimately, wiggling won the battle with this section. After I got it apart, I had a familiar feeling that I had with Glenn's NDC bottom dial Here are the photos of the upper section of the head assembly:
Here are the photos of the upper section of the head assembly:
Not your photos CAP, just my curiosity having it's way with me.
My this one has had a hard life.
This is awesome Cap! Complete Toggle strip down.
I cannot wait to get mine down to you.
I cannot wait to get mine down to you.
As cool as Toggles are, you can really see why these didn't stand up to widespread production. These things are a Swiss watch compared to a Tech.
This one is an epically good dissassembly. That thing was used hard.
I was also doing the "RCA dog" thing with the pic. The photography skills were fine. My lack of knowledge was the problem.
I was also doing the "RCA dog" thing with the pic. The photography skills were fine. My lack of knowledge was the problem.
- Thread starter
- #175
My thoughts exactly Sir. They needed to add some relief holes or something so all that water could run out. Pretty high tech stuff to cut hair off the face. Then again, now we have "flex balls".
- Thread starter
- #176
Ladies and gentlemen of B&B, I humbly present the Gillette Toggle, fully disassembled:
This adjustable razor consists of 21 pieces[emoji106]
This adjustable razor consists of 21 pieces[emoji106]
Such a cool post of pictures. It makes me want to get a Toggle Cleaning Mat made up similar to those available for various guns. It also makes me think about all of those great thinkers of days gone by.
- Thread starter
- #178
Man they really showed a lot of ingenuity with these adjustables. Even the drawings amaze me.
I'd have broken brass everywhere if I didn't have them.With all this expertise when is the Open Comb adjustable going to be created?
- Thread starter
- #180
If I was designing one, I'd make it like the bottom dial but an open comb rather than a solid bar[emoji106]
