Question For Slim Adjustable "Mechanics"

[Teddyboy]

I just found a slim adjustable at a flea market. The adjustment ring was fixed and could not be moved.

I let it sit in boiled soapy water for about 30 minutes, but the adjustment ring would not turn.

I then placed the ring in a vise grip and turn the head of the razor and it turned. It even clicks. But it does not alter the adjustment of the blade exposure. Nothing moves when turning from 1 to 9, whereas on my others, there is indeed a detectable movement.

Is this fixable? Is it possible that even though the ring clicks, that I stripped the adjustment mechanism?

Any thoughts (except what a shmuck I was for using the vise grip) or advice would be appreciated.

 

[jamesspo]

Likely the adjuster plate is not moving. If you look under the head of the razor, you'll see a plate that has four little tangs that stick up through the base plate (where the blade sits). With the doors open you should be able to move that plate up and down, and you'll see the little tangs move up through the holes in the base plate. If that adjuster plate does not move, you need to fix that. Most of the time it's just soap scum right where the tangs go through the base plate holes. Try some scrubbing bubbles there, and some gentle manipulation of the adjuster plate. No adjustment will happen until this part is addressed.

 

[BBrad]

+1 jamesspo is 100% correct!!

It is not unheard of to need a little "help" getting the adjuster dial to turn, even after a good soak. As long as you protect the finish with a heavy rag, using pliers to get the ring turning works. The adjuster tang is the rest of the equation, and once you get that moving you should be in good shape!

 

[Doppelgaenger]

+1 on scrubbing bubbles

 

[missingskin]

You may find you need multiple soaks in hot water and washing up liquid even overnight to get rid of the gunk. 30 mins is not long enough. I left an adjustable soaking overnight at the weekend and then gently tapped it on the side of the glass and watched lumps of gunk fall out of it..........but the blade adjustment is super smooth now......

 

[Go West Young Man]

30 minutes? It took 50 years for the razor to seize up like that, and you only gave it 30 minutes to open up????