Is it possible to repair the thread on a British New?

[brz90]

I recently found a grungy but very cheap Made in England two piece open comb New Gillette. After I cleaned it up it turned out to be quite a nice looking razor. BUT... it tightens up until the final couple of twists when the spring tension on the blade pops it open again. It seems like the thread on either the head or the handle has got a little damaged at some time even though visually the thread on the head looks OK.
So, does anyone know if it's possible to restore the thread on this razor or is it just a junk razor?
Also it's a two piece razor, but like all such razors the handle consists of two pieces. Is it possible to separate these two pieces - if so how?
Many thanks for any advice!

 

[cooncatbob]

Try a different handle with the head, this will help determine if the head or handle is at fault.
If the threads on the cap are okay I would imagine the handle is the problem.

 

[brz90]

Thanks Bob! I just tried the handle off a Tech and the thread on the head of the New tightens into the handle fine. So the problem is with the thread in the handle of the New. Is there any way to restore the thread? I fixed the stripped threads on the cylinder heads of my old air cooled Volkswagen bus by getting some helicoils inserted but this is a bit different I guess!

This razor is built differently to a Tech. The base plate of the head is attached to the handle which is made of two pieces and it twists to tighten from the bottom, so the thread is in a tube inside the handle. Also the stem on the head is extended so it disappears into the handle when you join the parts together and tighten it up.
I think it's probably shot which is a shame because it's a pretty razor.
Can you tell me how to separate the two parts of the handle - the inner from the outer?
Thanks again!

 

[cooncatbob]

Thanks Bob! I just tried the handle off a Tech and the thread on the head of the New tightens into the handle fine. So the problem is with the thread in the handle of the New. Is there any way to restore the thread? I fixed the stripped threads on the cylinder heads of my old air cooled Volkswagen bus by getting some helicoils inserted but this is a bit different I guess!

This razor is built differently to a Tech. The base plate of the head is attached to the handle which is made of two pieces and it twists to tighten from the bottom, so the thread is in a tube inside the handle. Also the stem on the head is extended so it disappears into the handle when you join the parts together and tighten it up.
I think it's probably shot which is a shame because it's a pretty razor.
Can you tell me how to separate the two parts of the handle - the inner from the outer?
Thanks again!

Post a picture.
Does a knob assembly pull from the bottom of the handle like the Gillette Bulldog or Merkur HD?

 

[brz90]

Post a picture.
Does a knob assembly pull from the bottom of the handle like the Gillette Bulldog or Merkur HD?

I'll post a couple of pictures later today. Yes, it's basically the same construction as a bulldog or hd I think. But there's some kind of internal clip or something holding the inner part of the handle to the outer pretty firmly.

 

[SRock]

Bob's a great source for this type of issue. I'm sure he'll have you squared away in no time!

 

[brz90]

Thanks Slaglerock! Thanks Bob!
Here's a picture of the razor, the knob assembly is in the unfastened position, that is, out of the handle, in the pic. Any advice would be much appreciated. But I'm not getting my hopes up too high! Though as you can see it's quite a nice looking razor; so far all I've done is clean it, I think it would polish up well. I think it might be silver plated rather than nickel?

 

[cooncatbob]

The knob won't pull from the bottom of the razor?
That appears to be a NEW deluxe, I've never had my hands on one and I wasn't aware that Gillette use a retainer on their knob assemblies.
I have a knob that style but it's from a Old Type with a longer cap stem so I don't think it would be long enough.

 

[brz90]

No, the knob assembly is held firmly within the handle by some kind of retainer.
What do you think are the chances of damaging something if I try to drift the two pieces apart?
If I can get it apart do you have any suggestions on restoring the thread?
Thinking about it I could see three possibilities?
1. Fit a helicoil thread insert. But I don't know if that's practical - for instance whether the diameter of the inner handle/knob assembly is sufficient to be drilled out to take the helicoil, and whether I can get a helicoil the right size.
2. Use an epoxy thread repair material. But I'm not sure whether the repaired thread would sustain the torque of tightening the razor down and also its constant use.
3. Cut the threaded end off the inner handle/ knob assembly and rethread the new end, then cut the inner handle further down and extend it with some kind of threaded bridging extension piece to restore it to its original length.
Just wondering what you might try Bob? I'm hopeful you might think of a better option!

 

[cooncatbob]

No, the knob assembly is held firmly within the handle by some kind of retainer.
What do you think are the chances of damaging something if I try to drift the two pieces apart?
If I can get it apart do you have any suggestions on restoring the thread?
Thinking about it I could see three possibilities?
1. Fit a helicoil thread insert. But I don't know if that's practical - for instance whether the diameter of the inner handle/knob assembly is sufficient to be drilled out to take the helicoil, and whether I can get a helicoil the right size.
2. Use an epoxy thread repair material. But I'm not sure whether the repaired thread would sustain the torque of tightening the razor down and also its constant use.
3. Cut the threaded end off the inner handle/ knob assembly and rethread the new end, then cut the inner handle further down and extend it with some kind of threaded bridging extension piece to restore it to its original length.
Just wondering what you might try Bob? I'm hopeful you might think of a better option!

I wouldn't do anything drastic until we hear from some of our experts on these razors like Guido.
I have a knob from as Old Type and its only threaded on the last 1/4 inch of the knob assembly, then the inside diameter gets bigger from 5/32 to 1/4.
If you can get the knob assembly out without damaging the razor it could be cut back and a new tip attached with threaded rod.

 

[SRock]

I wouldn't do anything drastic until we hear from some of our experts on these razors like Guido.
I have a knob from as Old Type and its only threaded on the last 1/4 inch of the knob assembly, then the inside diameter gets bigger from 5/32 to 1/4.
If you can get the knob assembly out without damaging the razor it could be cut back and a new tip attached with threaded rod.

+1 on that. Don't risk it.

 

[brz90]

I can wait! I'm not in a raging hurry to fix this razor; Waiting for Guido - where have I heard that before?
Guido, if you're there can you help save this razor?

 

[VR6ofpain]

Wow, I wasn't even aware a 2-piece NEW like this existed. Hopefully you get this sorted out!