Repairing a crooked/bent head possible?

[spindletree]

Hello, quite new to this forum. Just starting my DE razor journey and heard great things about the Lady Gillette as a starter razor for women. Well, I scored a great deal on a Lady Gillette but was disappointed when it arrived with a crooked head. See pictures attached. I can't return this, sadly.

You can see how the doors open unevenly and that they are crooked when closed all the way as well. Is there any way I can repair this on my own? Thanks.

 

[tehnothing]

On your own maybe, but there is a great tune up service from Back Roads Gold. I don't know how much it costs now but a couple of years ago when I got my fatboy adjustable it was $25 and I got it back in a couple of weeks. He will repair and adjust break it down and thoroughly clean and shine it. It will comeback looking like new. He has an etsy store, but, also has a website which is how I contacted him.

 

[tehnothing]

The BRGAS (Back Roads Gold Appreciation Society)

What? BRGAS is a society for those of us who have had our razors etc replated, or tuned up (or both), by Chris at Back Roads Gold (or simply purchased a refurbished razor from him). Why? I thought it was time for some (more) love of that additional functionality and shine that Chris imparts on...

www.badgerandblade.com

Many reviews in this club.

My Fatboy:

The BRGAS (Back Roads Gold Appreciation Society)

I got my first custom plating order back. Slim, Fatboy, Tech handle with Razor Emporium tube, and Yaqi Bohin, all in hard 24K gold. Incredible.

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[spindletree]

On your own maybe, but there is a great tune up service from Back Roads Gold. I don't know how much it costs now but a couple of years ago when I got my fatboy adjustable it was $25 and I got it back in a couple of weeks. He will repair and adjust break it down and thoroughly clean and shine it. It will comeback looking like new. He has an etsy store, but, also has a website which is how I contacted him.

Hey, thanks for the suggestion. I'll shoot him an email and see if he can do anything about this.

 

[tehnothing]

Hey, thanks for the suggestion. I'll shoot him an email and see if he can do anything about this.

Sure thing. Good luck.

 

[Joezamboni]

Backroadsgold does a great job at fixing bent heads/safety bars (he’s done many for me).

At that price point though I’d really wait out looking for one in good condition. I managed to get one near NOS condition for around the same price as a backroadsgold tune up. As much as I like his services sometimes buying another is easier.

 

[spindletree]

Backroadsgold does a great job at fixing bent heads/safety bars (he’s done many for me).

At that price point though I’d really wait out looking for one in good condition. I managed to get one near NOS condition for around the same price as a backroadsgold tune up. As much as I like his services sometimes buying another is easier.

I was thinking about that, but then I'll have this bent up one left over that i'd feel bad trying to sell off to anyone else.

 

[Joezamboni]

I was thinking about that, but then I'll have this bent up one left over that i'd feel bad trying to sell off to anyone else.

Some people are pretty handy at repairing them. Just be honest when selling?

I just looked, spent $51 for mine with all paperwork, insert, case in mint shape, sealed blades with instructions and looks like it’s never been used. I’m also patient and pick up random deals.

considering shipping, costs for service and I’d be hard pressed. I‘m probably backroadsgold biggest non-commercial supporter, but value becomes a key point.

 

[DesertIguana]

Well did you buy you Lady Gillette off eBay? Was it sent insured USPS?

Insurance will pay to replace or fix.

Option 2.

 

[Wombat ESQ]

These are a mixture of brass and aluminium, hence some professionals may not even touch them.
The reason being the baseplate is brass, the handle/handle top stem is aluminium press fitted to the brass baseplate, the doors are brass, the center bar, brass, the TTO nob brass.

Can you do it yourself? Hell yes, if your mechanical aptitude is good, and a few really odd tools to facilitate it.
Hell no, if you value your sanity! Hell yes, if you have nothing to lose, but your sanity.

This is a link to one that I repaired,refurbed a little.

I would like to see a pic, doors open, looking directly down the inside where the blade loads, showing the crimped part of the handle to the baseplate, please.

 

[spindletree]

Well did you buy you Lady Gillette off eBay? Was it sent insured USPS?

Insurance will pay to replace or fix.

Option 2.

Huh, I did in fact get it off eBay with USPS insured. It was bent before shipping though. Based off the photos you can see the crookedness though it's a bit hard to make out. I've been kicking myself for not noticing before purchasing. Thanks for the suggestion. Not sure if it's worth trying my luck with getting USPS insurance to cover repair, but would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[spindletree]

These are a mixture of brass and aluminium, hence some professionals may not even touch them.
The reason being the baseplate is brass, the handle/handle top stem is aluminium press fitted to the brass baseplate, the doors are brass, the center bar, brass, the TTO nob brass.

Can you do it yourself? Hell yes, if your mechanical aptitude is good, and a few really odd tools to facilitate it.
Hell no, if you value your sanity! Hell yes, if you have nothing to lose, but your sanity.

This is a link to one that I repaired,refurbed a little.

I would like to see a pic, doors open, looking directly down the inside where the blade loads, showing the crimped part of the handle to the baseplate, please.

That's promising. Chris from BackRoadsGold and I talked via email, he says he might be able to fix but have nothing to re-crimp if the crimp loosens during straightening. He says no charge if he can't get it fixed. Seems it might be worth a swing, though I'm not opposed to trying it myself depending on what tools I have, ha.

Here's the photo you asked for. Have two because I'm an overachiever. Thanks for taking a look.

 

[Wombat ESQ]

I need prepare some pitchers, bare/bear with me ..... your call is important to us, our operators are currantly busy with other calls, please hold the lion.

ok, Aluminium plus soap = pox

You have the razor in your hand, is it worth saving? or is it past it? given the crud as above, only a human eye with a brain attached looking directly at it will asses that?

The hard part is opening the sukka, as per the link i provided earlier, take another look at that? The brass 'circlip' for a better word is the penultimate pain in the neck!!!

The mission ....... should you chose to accept it? can be as frustrating as to pop that circlip and reinstall it in the right position. I use two crochet hooks and a shot of Valium

If you get it out, the tto nob will just unwind the center bar and doors straight out, then you have similar to this....

You straighten the baseplate on the handle by any means possible?

another good indicator, assembled or unassembled is the ring underneath against the baseplate

I made two BASH it crimp tools, one fits into the crimp further than the other, the small one expands the handle out to mate with the inside of the baseplate hole. The larger then expands the material proud of the baseplate, job done. Reassemble.

Without disassembly?
Straighten baseplate, by whatever means that you have observed necessary?

Then for loose baseplates, or ones you have no choice but to pop off the handle for disassembly [these have to be crimped after assembly, no way round it] I use one these auto pop center punches......

It allows you to wedge it in by the centerbar, angle it out from center and push down, its internal hammer auto BASHes a crimp dot.
Other razors have 6 squareish crimp dots, 3 each side of the bar that I just go over them with the auto center punch, again job done

Again you will need to assess is it able to be saved given the pox that already exists there? The center punch is not going to be kind to soap eaten pox aluminium at all.

This massage will self destruct in 5 seconds

 

[Wombat ESQ]

Then the brain forgot to type ....

All bashing is carried out on a lead punching block to minimise damage from hard surfaces.

 

[spindletree]

Then the brain forgot to type ....

All bashing is carried out on a lead punching block to minimise damage from hard surfaces.

Just came back to report that I simply cannot fix it LOL. After many attempts, I am deciding to just leave it. Seems to shave fine, at least fine enough for me. Not to mention the pockmarks you pointed out. Might consider replacing with a better condition one in the future. Still, I appreciate your entertaining write-up and hopefully it can help some poor soul searching the forums in the future.