The FatBoy Adjuster

[cheesepiece]

My first fatboy. My first adjustable.
Can anybody point me to a graphic or picture that illustrates either what is happening or the result of adjusting a Gillette FatBoy?
I twist mine from 1 to 9 and I can't see any difference in blade angle or gap. I can see no moving parts, blade in or removed.
I doubt I got a dud, I mean these things are machine engineered tanks, right?
What should I be looking for?

 

[NingYupOwaDat]

There should be a pretty obvious change in the blade gap between 1 and 9 and you should also hear it click and actually see it move when you twist the knob.

I think I have seen threads about this problem, I can't help you personally but I'm sure somebody will come along with an answer.

Best of luck!

 

[JazzyJ]

I found this video that should help. It's a slim and not a fatboy, but I believe they use the same adjustment mechanism. Good luck!

 

[Ronnie Aloha]

If you look at the head from the side as you click from 1-9 you should see the "elevator" in the head move up increasing blade gap.

 

[cheesepiece]

Nope. No movement whatsoever. I thought the movement should be noticeable and from that video there is a massive difference in blade gap. Mine doesn't move. It's stuck open at about the same setting as his (in the video) on 9.
Mine clicks and the dialer goes through 1 to 8 but at 9 doesn't go right around, there is no change in blade gap, the "elevator" does not go up or down.
Little help?
I've shaved with it and like the aggressive setting but I wanted an adjustable... Is there a fix?
Anyone wanna swap?

 

[wazza]

Im sure I read somewhere that you can get a build up of soap inside the razor. With some soaking in cleaning agent and warm water it could losen it off and move once more.
Maybe some one has experience of this? Or I may be talking rubbish.

 

[CGW409]

Had a 58 Executive (gold Fat Boy) with the same problem and it took about a week of soaking to free it up.
It helps to have an insulated travel mug that you place the razor (opened) into with some dish soap and then fill with boiling water (boil the water not the razor) and leave to soak overnight.
In the AM I'd give the razor a good shaking to free the gunk and crud freed up by the soaking and then set to soak again before heading out for work and effectively rinse,lather,repeat until it starts to move.
I did mine for about four days and once I started getting movement I gave it a shot of mineral oil and now have a like new tight Executive.

 

[Jeff_H]

Im sure I read somewhere that you can get a build up of soap inside the razor. With some soaking in cleaning agent and warm water it could loosen it off and move once more.

This

Had a 58 Executive (gold Fat Boy) with the same problem and it took about a week of soaking to free it up.
It helps to have an insulated travel mug that you place the razor (opened) into with some dish soap and then fill with boiling water (boil the water not the razor) and leave to soak overnight.
In the AM I'd give the razor a good shaking to free the gunk and crud freed up by the soaking and then set to soak again before heading out for work and effectively rinse,lather,repeat until it starts to move.
I did mine for about four days and once I started getting movement I gave it a shot of mineral oil and now have a like new tight Executive.

And this. It is very likely just gunked up inside. A mixture of Dawn and warm water (it will of course get cold as it soaks, but start it off fairly hot, but not boiling). Let it soak for a few hours, put more warm/hot water in and soak overnight. See if it makes any difference. If not, keep at it....maybe for as much as a week, but it shouldn't take that long. If this doesn't work there may be an actual problem with the mechanism, but they are build pretty well.

Best of luck.

 

[cheesepiece]

Thanks guys. I'll give the soaking method a go.