Thread: Gillette Fatboy problem with adjustable

Hi guys,

I found a Fatboy last week, I did not put attention while buying it on a garage sale. And thinking to offer to a friend. When I get at home I realise the turning piece to open and close the upside was too weak, and must to turn it to make it tight. Then I tried with a blade to see what us going to happen. Well I turn it tight but in this case the blade stay at as 1st level. Even if I turn to 9 doesn't change anything.

Would you know if it can be repaired?

have you given it a good soak in hot soapy water? might be full of gunk. also it is best to adjust it with the doors open. There are also some you tube videos (i think that's where i saw them) on how to take them apart if it needs a deeper cleaning or repair.

Originally Posted by tintin

have you given it a good soak in hot soapy water? might be full of gunk. also it is best to adjust it with the doors open. There are also some you tube videos (i think that's where i saw them) on how to take them apart if it needs a deeper cleaning or repair.

Yes already cleaned it but not inside. I'll take a look in videos

Probably needs a good cleaning. Post some photos of the razor especially of the bottom end.

The Center Rod, Shaft and or Collet have become stuck together with dried shaving cream, you will have to loosen all the gunk and possibly disassemble it, to clean properly, but sometimes you can get them to work just by soaking. Whatever you do, do not force anything. Time and soapy hot water will eventually get it apart.

Start by soaking in hot water with a health squirt of good dish soap, I use Dawn liquid. Soak overnight. Do not use anything stronger than dish soap and water, the nickel plating is thin. Do not use vinegar.

You may need to repeat for a couple days to loosen up and dissolve years of hardened caned shave cream. After a day, try to work the adjuster and see if it loosens up the head. Do not force. A Vibrasonic cleaner will speed up the process if you have one.

I have disassembled some, with the handle completely filled with hardened soap.

Depending on the model and condition, it may be worth sending it out. Some models are pricy and worth investing in a proper disassembly, cleaning and repair by skilled hands.

There are several good videos and tutorials on disassembling the various TTO razors, but you will have to make some tools and the razor are made of plated brass and can be damaged… easily.

Oh and did I say, Do Not Force Anything?

Myself and a few friends used this very effectively, with no damage to plating whatsoever. I cleaned nickel and rhodium with it. Leave it on, as instructed for 30-45 seconds and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Don't let it get on your bare hands, it is a strong degreaser that is no good for skin!

https://www.k2car.at/Akra-Engine-Cleaner

Also Harbor Freight sells an ultrasonic cleaner for a decent price i soak mine in pinesol or simple green and throw it in the UC and it breaks up pretty quickly. With a UC you do have to be careful with the paint because it will rip it out and you will have to fill it again.

Yup, the HF ultrasonic cleaner works well, put the razor in a heavy, freezer type Zip-Lock bag fill with hot water and cleaning solution, either with the razor disassembled or completely assembled.

The bag makes clean up easy, as the HF, cleaner solution tray is not removable and if you dump the water out you run the risk of wetting the electronics.

If you do fill the tub, a water bottle, cut in half, makes quick work of emptying the container almost completely, a micro fiber or paper towels will suck up any remaining liquid.

Originally Posted by Euclid440

Probably needs a good cleaning. Post some photos of the razor especially of the bottom end.

The Center Rod, Shaft and or Collet have become stuck together with dried shaving cream, you will have to loosen all the gunk and possibly disassemble it, to clean properly, but sometimes you can get them to work just by soaking. Whatever you do, do not force anything. Time and soapy hot water will eventually get it apart.

Start by soaking in hot water with a health squirt of good dish soap, I use Dawn liquid. Soak overnight. Do not use anything stronger than dish soap and water, the nickel plating is thin. Do not use vinegar.

You may need to repeat for a couple days to loosen up and dissolve years of hardened caned shave cream. After a day, try to work the adjuster and see if it loosens up the head. Do not force. A Vibrasonic cleaner will speed up the process if you have one.

I have disassembled some, with the handle completely filled with hardened soap.

Depending on the model and condition, it may be worth sending it out. Some models are pricy and worth investing in a proper disassembly, cleaning and repair by skilled hands.

There are several good videos and tutorials on disassembling the various TTO razors, but you will have to make some tools and the razor are made of plated brass and can be damaged… easily.

Oh and did I say, Do Not Force Anything?

Tried some, watched a lot of videos but did not succeed, and afraid to break it down. I will let it go like this. All the way I've one other which is in good condition

If you're turning the adjuster ring, or the bottom knob and nothing is happening, it is likely the mechanism inside is broken. Perhaps someone forced it before you and wore out the mechanism.

This is the correct bottom piece:


It fits around the center bar and this opens the doors:



But when it's stuck and forced, this happens:



Perhaps your is partially worn out, if I'm reading the OP correctly.. And you percieve this as weak.

Let it sit in a Dawn dish soap & water solution for a few days. It won’t hurt the razor and you might get lucky. Some say to boil in water, but I have never done that, soaking and ultrasonic cleaning have worked for me.

The soap has glued the shaft to the head and it might come loose with enough time, as long as it’s not stripped it will work fine without disassembly, once it breaks loose.