Just got a Fatboy F 4 and it's not adjusting...help

[drm20]

Hey guys, being new to wetshaving I've been reading quite a bit about the Fatboy so I finally ordered one (very clean, got it for $65 on ebay). Anyway, the adjustment won't work. It will click at each adjustment just fine, but going from 1-9 does not raise the 4 little arms that adjust the blade). Any thoughts on what I can do to fix this. I am definitely not handy and don't want to take this apart (just not my thing....not a handy guy). Would soaking it in hot water/soap help? I've posted some pictures to show when it's on 9 (should have raised the doors but you can see the gap). Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[Manning]

When you adjust the doors themselves do not move. Try looking at the gap when the doors are closed. Look at the gap on 1 and then 9, you should be able to see a difference.

 

[drm20]

Yeah, when the doors are closed it's the same on 1 as it is 9. I know that the arms are supposed to come up and as you increase from 1-9. The picture on the right I manually pushed the plate up so you can see that by adjusting it 9 the adjustment doesn't lift the plate like it should. When I tightened the doors back down it pressed the plate down (like the picture on the left).

 

[Go West Young Man]

There's probably 50 years of shaving cream solidified in there ..... long soaks in hot soapy water usually takes care of the problem, although it may take few days of changing the water every few hours to get anywhere.

 

[drm20]

Here are some pics of the doors closed (left is setting 1, right is setting 9).

 

[drocu]

If you don't want to take it apart, can you send it back for a return? Or is that out of the question?

Because if it is actually broken and not soap buildup, then that's a pretty expensive non-adjustable Fatboy. Although the "9" setting looks like there is a wider gap so perhaps it is just soap/gunk.

 

[drm20]

Yeah, I just emailed the seller...haven't heard back yet but it's only been half a day.

 

[BBrad]

The razor is NOT BROKEN!!! There is a gap between the dial collar and the adjuster tang when the razor is set on 1, as shown in the picture above. This is because the tang is stuck in the full-up position, not because anything is "broken."

Soap scum and crud between the id of the tang and the od of the handle tube is usually the culprit. As Chris indicated above, soaking in hot, soapy water is the answer. It may take time, but it will solve the problem. There is also a chance that the tang fingers or base plate may be bent; this will cause a physical "interference" bind-up.

Disassembly is not recommended, and will probably cause more harm than good.

To check for proper operation, open the doors and set the razor at 1. The tang should be able to move with only slight finger pressure up, and then when released, gravity should drop it back down. If the tang won't move through its full range, it is either gunked or jammed.

 

[drm20]

The razor is NOT BROKEN!!! There is a gap between the dial collar and the adjuster tang when the razor is set on 1, as shown in the picture above. This is because the tang is stuck in the full-up position, not because anything is "broken."

Soap scum and crud between the id of the tang and the od of the handle tube is usually the culprit. As Chris indicated above, soaking in hot, soapy water is the answer. It may take time, but it will solve the problem. There is also a chance that the tang fingers or base plate may be bent; this will cause a physical "interference" bind-up.

Disassembly is not recommended, and will probably cause more harm than good.

To check for proper operation, open the doors and set the razor at 1. The tang should be able to move with only slight finger pressure up, and then when released, gravity should drop it back down. If the tang won't move through its full range, it is either gunked or jammed.

Thank you! Is the tang the bed that moves up and has four arms that adjust the razor up? If so, it will move up when I press it up lightly with my finger, then it will fall back down due to gravity. The same holds true when it is at the 9 setting as well. I am soaking it in hot water soap right now. Hopefully this will help?

 

[BBrad]

Thank you! Is the tang the bed that moves up and has four arms that adjust the razor up? If so, it will move up when I press it up lightly with my finger, then it will fall back down due to gravity. The same holds true when it is at the 9 setting as well. I am soaking it in hot water soap right now. Hopefully this will help?

Yes, the part with the four "arms" or fingers is the tang. From your post above, it sounds like the tang is working properly.

The tang must be able to drop down and contact the top of the dial. When the dial is turned from 1 to 9, internal threads cause it to rise, pushing the tang upward. The difference between 1 and 9 is about .020" . . . hard to see with the eye but easy to feel on the face! Look at the top of the tangs - at 1 they should just barely stick through the base plate. At 9, most eyes can see the difference.

The tangs lift the blade up off the base plate. The wider the gap, the more "aggressive" the razor becomes. There is also an internal compression spring at the bottom of the handle that compresses during the last 1/4 turn of the TTO. This spring takes up the adjustment slack and ensures that the blade is locked down properly. If it is "gunked" and unable to compress the razor won't lock properly. This spring, and a sticking tang, are the two most common issues found with Gillette Adjustables. Both problems are solved by soaking out the accumulated crud.

Hope we have helped . . . welcome to B&B!!

 

[drm20]

Yes, the part with the four "arms" or fingers is the tang. From your post above, it sounds like the tang is working properly.

The tang must be able to drop down and contact the top of the dial. When the dial is turned from 1 to 9, internal threads cause it to rise, pushing the tang upward. The difference between 1 and 9 is about .020" . . . hard to see with the eye but easy to feel on the face! Look at the top of the tangs - at 1 they should just barely stick through the base plate. At 9, most eyes can see the difference.

The tangs lift the blade up off the base plate. The wider the gap, the more "aggressive" the razor becomes. There is also an internal compression spring at the bottom of the handle that compresses during the last 1/4 turn of the TTO. This spring takes up the adjustment slack and ensures that the blade is locked down properly. If it is "gunked" and unable to compress the razor won't lock properly. This spring, and a sticking tang, are the two most common issues found with Gillette Adjustables. Both problems are solved by soaking out the accumulated crud.

Hope we have helped . . . welcome to B&B!!

Thanks so much! You guys always help a tremendous amount and it is so much appreciated. I have been soaking it since noon and will continue for another day or so. I keep replacing the water with hot water. I'm hoping this helps as it's in really good shape...took me a while to find one this clean at the price. The seller responded and said he would return it for another one or refund me, so shave people are just great people! Thanks everyone!!!

 

[Copierguy]

I just recreated your problem on mine.

Looking at post number 5 in this thread, I see that your dial looks too low on the handle, at 1 the black band is not visible and only partially visible on 9. You should be able to resolve this with something like a straightened paperclip. With the doors loose but not open, turn your dial to 9. Now press in on the spring in the slot above the 9 while turning the dial right. So instead of stopping at 9 your dial will move up to the next range. Now check the adjusting plate at 1 and 9.

 

[jamesspo]

Yep, this should do it for you. You said that the adjuster plates moves up and down ok, so it's not stuck. Your fatboy is "underclocked"...so just need to follow Tom's instructions which will raise the adjuster knob up to the right range where it will actually raise the adjuster plate. I do wonder how these get into this condition. It doesn't seem too likely that most folks would push the spring in and turn the adjuster...

I just recreated your problem on mine.

Looking at post number 5 in this thread, I see that your dial looks too low on the handle, at 1 the black band is not visible and only partially visible on 9. You should be able to resolve this with something like a straightened paperclip. With the doors loose but not open, turn your dial to 9. Now press in on the spring in the slot above the 9 while turning the dial right. So instead of stopping at 9 your dial will move up to the next range. Now check the adjusting plate at 1 and 9.

 

[BBrad]

+1 Tom!! I missed that in the photo!!

 

[drm20]

Thanks so much! You guys always help a tremendous amount and it is so much appreciated. I have been soaking it since noon and will continue for another day or so. I keep replacing the water with hot water. I'm hoping this helps as it's in really good shape...took me a while to find one this clean at the price. The seller responded and said he would return it for another one or refund me, so shave people are just great people! Thanks everyone!!!

Thank you so much, this fixed the problem. I really appreciate your help and now I can use the fatboy for the 1st time thanks to you. Thanks again!

 

[Copierguy]

I like happy endings..........

Thanks for the team work gents.

 

[deafficianado]

Yeah!!!!, I just fixed one of my fatboys using Tom's method. I thought it was a clunker, and now it's great. Thank you so much Tom.

 

[drm20]

Seriously Tom, thank you so much! Seems like it's a common problem but to someone new it's great to have that veteran advice!

 

[Copierguy]

Yeah!!!!, I just fixed one of my fatboys using Tom's method. I thought it was a clunker, and now it's great. Thank you so much Tom.

Seriously Tom, thank you so much! Seems like it's a common problem but to someone new it's great to have that veteran advice!

You guys are making my day. It was my pleasure, glad we could help.