Calling Fatboy experts

[GreekGuy]

I disassembled a fatboy for cleaning. Trouble is, now I can't get the connecting rod back in. It won't get past the collet on the inside of the barrel. Any idea how I can fix this? I tried using a vice grip to expand the collet out, using oil, placing in the freezer, placing in hot water. No luck, it just barely won't fit. I guess I can always sand the end down just enough to slide it through. Any better ideas?

[Copierguy]

I guess I'm a bit slower than normal.....
Got any pictures of what you are doing or a link to a photo with part names?

Oh wait.... the light just came on in my head.

There is a section just above the threaded portion of the shaft that has two flat sides.
Lower the threaded portion through the hole then just before you make contact start turning the TTO knob.
Keep trying to lower the assembly all the way down. The hole you are going through has two flat sides that need to line up with the two flat side on the shaft.

[alex2363]

this helps? http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad50/alex2363/Gillette-adjustable-safety-razor-pa.jpg

[alex2363]

or this? http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad50/alex2363/Gillette-adjustable-safety-razor-pa-1.jpg

[GreekGuy]

I'm trying to upload some photos, but for some reason it is taking forever. Those diagrams do not have 1 of the parts in question. Should be up shortly

[mmack66]

Those diagrams are for a bottom adjust 195, so the parts are likely different than for the regular Fatboy.

[GreekGuy]

The rod goes in partially, then gets stuck going through the collet/won't fit.


http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/2294/photo1hc.th.jpg (http://img268.imageshack.us/i/photo1hc.jpg/)
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3842/photokol.th.jpg (http://img8.imageshack.us/i/photokol.jpg/)

[Copierguy]

The rod goes in partially, then gets stuck going through the collet/won't fit.

I just popped one apart to compare. I have another inch or so of free travel compared to where your's stops in the top photo.

If you extract the rod, can you see down through the handle?

Is the rod free of bends and burrs and such?

[GreekGuy]

I just popped one apart to compare. I have another inch or so of free travel compared to where your''s stops in the top photo.

If you extract the rod, can you see down through the handle?

Is the rod free of bends and burrs and such?

It comes freely out. The rod doesnt have any bends, straight as an arrow. And I can see through the handle just fine. I think that maybe the collet isn't expanding out all the way. I've tried using a vice grip to get it to pop back out, but I haven't had any luck (yet).

[Copierguy]

It comes freely out. The rod doesnt have any bends, straight as an arrow. And I can see through the handle just fine. I think that maybe the collet isn't expanding out all the way. I've tried using a vice grip to get it to pop back out, but I haven't had any luck (yet).

I just got mine stuck like yours then unstuck....more to follow.

[Copierguy]

What I did to get it unstuck and the rod all the way down in the handle was this.

I extracted the rod from the top and stuck it in the bottom of the handle.
Turned the TTO knob CCW looking from the bottom, this moves everything further up in the handle.
Next extract the rod and put it back throught the top.
Lower the rod till the threaded end comes throught the flat sided hole.
Now turn the rod till it drops through further.
Line up the handle and doors.
Open the doors, then turn the TTO knob to lower everything down to the closed home position.
Add spring and "nut".....now you got a FatBoy again.

[gearchow]

I just got mine stuck like yours then unstuck....more to follow.

I'm very sorry, but damn! that made me laugh...

:lol:

-jim

[GreekGuy]

What I did to get it unstuck and the rod all the way down in the handle was this.

I extracted the rod from the top and stuck it in the bottom of the handle.
Turned the TTO knob CCW looking from the bottom, this moves everything further up in the handle.
Next extract the rod and put it back throught the top.
Lower the rod till the threaded end comes throught the flat sided hole.
Now turn the rod till it drops through further.
Line up the handle and doors.
Open the doors, then turn the TTO knob to lower everything down to the closed home position.
Add spring and "nut".....now you got a FatBoy again.

Right now I have the TTO knob off. You're saying I should put it back on to do this?

[Copierguy]

Sorry man....did not know a "knob-pendectomy" procedure had been performed. Yea I did my stuff with the TTO knob on..

[gearchow]

Sorry man....did not know a "knob-pendectomy" procedure had been performed. Yea I did my stuff with the TTO knob on..

Oh, I am LOVING this thread!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

-jim

[TonyN]

Here's a link on how to the a Fatboy apart. I hope this helps.

Fat Boy Disassembly: Mysteries Revealed!

http://vintagesaws.com/fatboy/fatboy.html

[GreekGuy]

Sorry man....did not know a "knob-pendectomy" procedure had been performed. Yea I did my stuff with the TTO knob on..

The thing is, even if I put the knob back on the connecting rod won't reach low enough to catch it. I fear this may be a collet issue. Anyone...anyone? Bueller...Bueller?

[Copierguy]

Unless the holes and shaft have become distorted it should literally fall back in place.

Holding the handle head up and lowering the shaft down in till it stops, then turning the shaft (not the handle) a few turns should line everything up.

Gravity should finish the job.

[GreekGuy]

Unless the holes and shaft have become distorted it should literally fall back in place.

Holding the handle head up and lowering the shaft down in till it stops, then turning the shaft (not the handle) a few turns should line everything up.

Gravity should finish the job.

Won't that damage the red spring? Unless I make sure the adjustment knob does not turn somehow...

[Copierguy]

None of this should involve the adjustment dial or red spring.

Nick....you're just doing this to mess with my head aren't you....lol

[GreekGuy]

None of this should involve the adjustment dial or red spring.

Nick....you're just doing this to mess with my head aren't you....lol

Hahaha, actually I'm not. The thing is, if you hold the head stationary and turn the handle, it will actually turn the dial, because there is a lot less resistance there. I actually took out the head back off. Turns out the collet isn't opening all the way. I need to pry it open somehow, and then put the head back on and hope that the connecting rod goes through. So this solves the problem. I was hoping someone had some experience with this happening, but at least I've figured out what the problem is

[Copierguy]

I would think it was more likely an alignment issue.
Things do not normally bend themselves smaller so that they need pried open.

Maybe I'm just taking things too literally. Reality can be so ellusive....lol

[GreekGuy]

I would think it was more likely an alignment issue.
Things do not normally bend themselves smaller so that they need pried open.

Maybe I'm just taking things too literally. Reality can be so ellusive....lol

This particular one was in horrendous shape. I think I had to use so much force to get it crimped that it got stuck and wouldn't expand again. I used a flathead screw bit and a hammer to pry it open. Now I just have to get it back on the handle...

[alex2363]

heres bigger pics

[GreekGuy]

What I did to get it unstuck and the rod all the way down in the handle was this.

I extracted the rod from the top and stuck it in the bottom of the handle.
Turned the TTO knob CCW looking from the bottom, this moves everything further up in the handle.
Next extract the rod and put it back throught the top.
Lower the rod till the threaded end comes throught the flat sided hole.
Now turn the rod till it drops through further.
Line up the handle and doors.
Open the doors, then turn the TTO knob to lower everything down to the closed home position.
Add spring and "nut".....now you got a FatBoy again.

OK, good news is its all back together. Bad news, the square hole was so corroded it crumbled to a circular hole when turned. I now need to engineer a way to hold the rod "square" in the knob when its turned. Seeing as I only have basic tools, this may pose a problem. I'm thinking some kind of disc maybe, but I cannot fabricate one. Perhaps I can find something at the hardware store...

Edit: a circular disk wouldn't work, perhaps an octagonal one....

[Go West Young Man]

This is the post I'm going to link to when I tell people that disassembling a Fatboy is a bad idea!!!

[gearchow]

This is the post I'm going to link to when I tell people that disassembling a Fatboy is a bad idea!!!

Or at the very least for the definition of knob-pendectomy.

:001_smile

-jim

[GreekGuy]

This is the post I'm going to link to when I tell people that disassembling a Fatboy is a bad idea!!!

This particular razor had to be disassembled. It was completely locked up from rust and corrosion. the TTO know wouldn't even turn. The head was bent. Just an absolute basket-case. I've been wanting to do the disassembly for some time. This was a piece of junk when I got it. Literally the perfect specimen for experimentation. At best it was a chance to learn. It is now a functional shaver. Not anything anyone would want to buy, but a real beater in the sense of the word.