Thread: Found a Gillette Adjustable TTO Razor

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Not necessarily. First of all, if the ring turns it still should move the base plate up or down which is what adjusts the blade exposure. I've heard of guys repairing these. I have one that I took apart, and put back together, but the spring was broken and I never replaced it. The adjustment works but is not held in place by tension from the spring. So you have to manually adjust it and hold it while you shave. Anyway, here is one on how to disassemble an adjustable. I haven't watched it so I cannot vouch for it.

Thanks for the information JimmyHAD, that's good to know that it will still work with out the spring also thanks on the video as well. Well I did spent a few hours this afternoon trying to rebuild the spring. This is my progress on it so far. I just need to bend it to the shape of the original and clean it up some more. I just hope I get it bent correctly when I bend it to shape.

Originally Posted by LilRobert

Thanks for the information JimmyHAD, that's good to know that it will still work with out the spring also thanks on the video as well. Well I did spent a few hours this afternoon trying to rebuild the spring. This is my progress on it so far. I just need to bend it to the shape of the original and clean it up some more. I just hope I get it bent correctly when I bend it to shape.

Well good luck with it. Check around, you may be able to find someone who has a replacement spring, or check ebay for a cheap replacement, and scavenge the spring out of it.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Well good luck with it. Check around, you may be able to find someone who has a replacement spring, or check ebay for a cheap replacement, and scavenge the spring out of it.

Hey Jimmy

I just watched the video and While I Do believe it is 'Overly Simplistic' but it would make sense. I have the identical razor in the video and the OP's. The OP's has what I believe is a press fit piece at the bottom instead of a threaded piece so that would be something to deal with. Here's the picture that I'd sent him showing how the slots look very similar and that a donor razor might work for replacement parts. It would be really cool if he can restore his grandfather's razor all on his own by making the replacement spring work.

Thank you guys so much for all the feed back it really means a lot to me. Well I am going to give it a shot and see if the spring I made works. Money is a little tight for me right now and if I have the skills to make one I think I will go that route first. I always like a challenge and this is a good challenge for me. This spring is a natural bend, I didn't temper the cooper just because of how thin the cooper has to be. If this one fails me I will make another one where I temper the cooper. So the top one is the old spring and the bottom one is the one I made this afternoon. I know the one I made is a little longer then the original one, I just haven't cut it to size yet. Now it just pulling the razor apart and to see if the spring I made works. Thanks again everyone for your feedback.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

The OP's has what I believe is a press fit piece at the bottom instead of a threaded piece so that would be something to deal with.

Not sure if we're talking about the same thing but ....... when I was new I bought a '34 Aristocrat open comb where the TTO doors didn't function by turning the knob on the end of the handle. You had to push up on the knob and then turn to lock down. I investigated it some, and found that it was a press fit. I used pliers with some thin leather as a 'softener' and pressed the end of the tube just over the knob. Tightened up and the TTO was back in action.

Hey Guys I got a spring made that the works on the razor, it took 6 attempts to get it correct but I got one made. Now I am having problems getting aligned correct now. The spring is works I am just having issues getting everything aligned correctly now. Can anyone give me any pointers on getting it aligned correct?

Originally Posted by LilRobert

Hey Guys I got a spring made that the works on the razor, it took 6 attempts to get it correct but I got one made. Now I am having problems getting aligned correct now. The spring is works I am just having issues getting everything aligned correctly now. Can anyone give me any pointers on getting it aligned correct?

Go back to you-tube and type 'Gillette Adjustable' in the search bar. There are tutorial/videos on adjusting the timing of the ring and the doors. I haven't watched them myself, but I saw them when I posted the link to take one apart.

I thought I would let you guys know that I was able to make a spring for it and My grandfather's 1974 Gillette Black Beauty Razor is fully restored and working. I can't wait to try the razor out. I took Roy(cudarunner) advice and I decided to not bend the bent guard back to place. If my grandfather shaved with the razor in that condition so will I. I would like to thank everything for their input on this restore, it means so much to me and I don't know how to thank all you guys for your help. Thanks you everyone!

Here is a pic of the 1974 Black Beauty in her finished state. Also if you guys would like to know how I made the spring, I would be happy to write up a post and post something up on the forum when I have some time. Just let me know if you guys would like to know how I made the spring.