|
Post by okieshaver on Jul 22, 2019 12:18:44 GMT -6
I've recently purchased 2 razors with missing blade stops.One is an old Hero Lather Catcher, looks a lot like a Cru-Steel and the other is a nice Valet Auto Strop. It's my own fault for not paying enough attention, but it's also a little maddening as I had many great shaves lined up for the pair! My question (finally) is has anyone ever repaired a blade stop? Or maybe heard about it from someone? It might be pretty common to make these sorts of repairs but I don't know!?
|
|
rayr
Blade King
Posts: 427
|
Post by rayr on Jul 22, 2019 13:06:16 GMT -6
I've been there with razors with broken blade stops on the Bay. Micromatics, 1912's and one Autostrop mainly. If it's not clearly apparent from the photos that something is broken, I always ask for some clear pictures and instructions for the seller on how to check the mechanical condition of the razor. I've never tried any repairs on broken blade stops. The one's that I got that way I took pictures of the damage and sent them to the seller and they usually give a refund. I guess if you've got a very rare razor, it might be worthwhile attempting a repair somehow.
|
|
Flintstone
Lather Catcher
Scraper Blade Shaver...
Posts: 908
|
Post by Flintstone on Jul 22, 2019 15:02:37 GMT -6
I'll weigh in, but first a few caveats: I'm less of an engineer and more of a "hold my beer" type. So here's my thoughts on busted blade stops -- keep in mind that I've never done anything with the ones that I have which are either missing (due to design) or worn down/gone: 1. Fix/fatten the blade so that it cannot squeeze past the size clips. Either using a rubber band or other wise building up the blade so that it cannot go any further forward than desired. In this case, I'm usually battling a back clip that is nice and strong and forcing the blade forward, and I've got two side clips that will aid in holding the blade in place. Not sure if either of those will work for you. 2. Make / re-enforce existing stops. Here is where people sometimes suggest a jeweler who knows how to braze or otherwise "weld" / solder little stops on to brass. I've also wondered about trying something with JB-Weld, and the other day I heard someone try to fix some bakelite with a 3D-Pen (which is kind of cool looking). 3. Lastly, and this one is sort of like #1 -- I've considered using tiny alligator clips or even binder clips to "attach" the blade in place at the sides. This may work for a GEM Jr Bar that's missing the bar, not sure how it would work for missing blade stops. See, I told you I'm more of a "hold my beer, engineer"!!! And I'm using the term "engineer" more tongue in cheek -- I quite literally flunked out of an engineering program. Good luck, and if you find something, or have too much to drink and try something I suggested, then let us know!!!
|
|
TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
|
Post by TobyC on Jul 22, 2019 20:22:22 GMT -6
Brass, solder, and good eyes,(my eyes aren't worth a poop anymore) and you can fix them. Here's one I did,... Very little left of the stops. (Click the pix to make them bigger.)
And they had been undercut by the blades, here I used a feeler guage to make it easier to see. This is after I soldered some brass on there and shaped it. She works just fine now.
|
|
Flintstone
Lather Catcher
Scraper Blade Shaver...
Posts: 908
|
Post by Flintstone on Jul 22, 2019 20:35:35 GMT -6
Brass, solder, and good eyes,(my eyes aren't worth a poop anymore) and you can fix them. Here's one I did,... Very little left of the stops. (Click the pix to make them bigger.)
And they had been undercut by the blades, here I used a feeler guage to make it easier to see. This is after I soldered some brass on there and shaped it. She works just fine now. Dang -- very impressive, sir!!! I had heard that soldering with brass was difficult at best, but that looks outstanding!!!
|
|
TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
|
Post by TobyC on Jul 22, 2019 20:48:20 GMT -6
Here's another. Cut and sanded a piece of brass to size. Here's the spot that has been filed to clean it up. Repair piece was pre-bent and soldered inside, and shaped. After I cleaned it up a bit more, it looked and shaved good as new. .
|
|
TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
|
Post by TobyC on Jul 22, 2019 20:52:13 GMT -6
Brass, solder, and good eyes,(my eyes aren't worth a poop anymore) and you can fix them. Here's one I did,... Very little left of the stops. (Click the pix to make them bigger.)
And they had been undercut by the blades, here I used a feeler guage to make it easier to see. This is after I soldered some brass on there and shaped it. She works just fine now. Dang -- very impressive, sir!!! I had heard that soldering with brass was difficult at best, but that looks outstanding!!! Well thank you! It's not hard, just make everything clean and use a good flux,... and don't overheat.
|
|