Help needed with a Gillette Aristocrat

[Tony.T]

Afternoon gents. I have just bought a Gillette Aristocrat off the bay (no not that expensive one). It was sold either for spares or repair, so I didn't pay a lot for it.

The problem is best described by looking at this short video (not made by me, but the guy has an aristocrat with the same fault)

Anyone have any idea how to repair it? At first glance it looks like the handle should be peened onto the head, is this so?

Thanks in advance.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfKkBI6-gyo

 

[Tony.T]

Fixed it!

As I thought. The blade base was not firmly attached to the handle and could turn in relation to the handle. This meant that the 'lifter' could be unscrewed from the Knob. If that happens it is easy to lose the correct adjustment, and the doors may not open or close fully.

The cure takes less than two minutes. Rotate the head a little at a time and work the TTO. When the setting is right the doors will open and close fully. A bit trial and error but it's obvious when you do it. Leave the doors open, and without disturbing anything put the razor in a padded vise. Look into the centre and you can see where the base is crimped (peened?) to the head. Using a very small pin-punch and a small hammer, just tap around the crimp and it will slowly but surely tighten up the joint.

I took it out of the vise and tested it- perfect. It's now got a blade in it, ready for later!

Hope this may be of use to anyone else who gets this problem.

 

[MacDaddy]

Nice! Thanks for the follow-up on this Tony. I've never had to do this particular repair myself, but what you described makes total sense. Getting the handle lined up in the proper position so that everything works as it ought to is probably the toughest part of it.

 

[Mark1966]

Nice! Thanks for the follow-up on this Tony. I've never had to do this particular repair myself, but what you described makes total sense. Getting the handle lined up in the proper position so that everything works as it ought to is probably the toughest part of it.

Yes, although punching out the crimping is not easy either!

My brother-in-law runs his own steel fabrication and manufacturing business. I've set him the task of designing me a tool to do it a little easier - we shall see what he comes up with!

 

[Tony.T]

Yes, although punching out the crimping is not easy either!

My brother-in-law runs his own steel fabrication and manufacturing business. I've set him the task of designing me a tool to do it a little easier - we shall see what he comes up with!

Please keep us informed - I would be interested in a dedicated tool

 

[alex2363]

Yes, although punching out the crimping is not easy either!

My brother-in-law runs his own steel fabrication and manufacturing business. I've set him the task of designing me a tool to do it a little easier - we shall see what he comes up with!

Please keep us informed - I would be interested in a dedicated tool

Any news on the tool?