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Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
Our toaster (a cheap 12 year old Philips model HL-5224) has died and I've been looking at taking it apart in case there's a simple repair possible such as fixing a loose connection.
However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. I've tried a small flat blade screwdriver but don't think I can get the leverage I need as the fixings are recessed. Can anyone suggest how to remove the cover without breaking it, or am I on to a loser? TIA, David. |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On 18/08/2020 12:04, Dave N wrote:
Our toaster (a cheap 12 year old Philips model HL-5224) has died and I've been looking at taking it apart in case there's a simple repair possible such as fixing a loose connection. However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. I've tried a small flat blade screwdriver but don't think I can get the leverage I need as the fixings are recessed. Can anyone suggest how to remove the cover without breaking it, or am I on to a loser? TIA, David. Life's too short. Sling it. Bill |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On 18/08/2020 12:27, williamwright wrote:
On 18/08/2020 12:04, Dave N wrote: Our toaster (a cheap 12 year old Philips model HL-5224) has died and I've been looking at taking it apart in case there's a simple repair possible such as fixing a loose connection. However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. I've tried a small flat blade screwdriver but don't think I can get the leverage I need as the fixings are recessed. Can anyone suggest how to remove the cover without breaking it, or am I on to a loser? TIA, David. Life's too short. Sling it. Bill Maybe someone fitted the 'wrong' fuse to make it safer :-) |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
Dave N wrote:
They look like push-on star nuts Or are they in 'inverse' torx security bit? |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
Dave N wrote in
: Our toaster (a cheap 12 year old Philips model HL-5224) has died and I've been looking at taking it apart in case there's a simple repair possible such as fixing a loose connection. However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. I've tried a small flat blade screwdriver but don't think I can get the leverage I need as the fixings are recessed. Can anyone suggest how to remove the cover without breaking it, or am I on to a loser? TIA, David. I had one where crumbs whould sometimes prevent the solenoid holding down the toast holder and it switching on. A good thump fixed it. Sadly - it is easier and cheaper for makers to say "no user servicable parts" and make them hard to open to deter you from trying. They attempt to reduce liabilities. |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:04:20 -0700 (PDT), Dave N
wrote: Our toaster (a cheap 12 year old Philips model HL-5224) has died and I've been looking at taking it apart in case there's a simple repair possible such as fixing a loose connection. However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. I've tried a small flat blade screwdriver but don't think I can get the leverage I need as the fixings are recessed. Can anyone suggest how to remove the cover without breaking it, or am I on to a loser? I just had a similar issue with an Aldi/Lidl battery charger that has an intermitted pushbutton switch but they were just tri-wing type screws and came out with a tri-wing bit and where they didn't, a flat bladed bit with the gap in the middle (so one 'leg' was inside the hole and the other on the outside). So, if you have the right bit or can file a slot in an old flat bladed screwdriver they may well come out easily. Once out you can replace them (as I'm doing with this charger) or saw a slot across them? Cheers, T i m |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
Maybe someone fitted the 'wrong' fuse to make it safer :-)
I did of course swap the fuse (with one from another appliance with a 13A fuse in the plug). The latter worked so the fuse was evidently fine. |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On 18/08/2020 12:04, Dave N wrote:
Our toaster (a cheap 12 year old Philips model HL-5224) has died and I've been looking at taking it apart in case there's a simple repair possible such as fixing a loose connection. Depends how it fails. The last one to go on me the magic smoke a huge bang and shower of sparks came out after the element blew and the then much shorter live loose end sub element touched earth. Can anyone suggest how to remove the cover without breaking it, or am I on to a loser? You need to figure out exactly how they put it together and work back. Chances are the right screwdriver head and sufficient torque will get it or sheer off the head to allow you to get in. The chances of a successful repair are slim and a cost effective one even slimmer. -- Regards, Martin Brown |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Tuesday, 18 August 2020 12:04:23 UTC+1, Dave N wrote:
Our toaster (a cheap 12 year old Philips model HL-5224) has died and I've been looking at taking it apart in case there's a simple repair possible such as fixing a loose connection. However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. I've tried a small flat blade screwdriver but don't think I can get the leverage I need as the fixings are recessed. Can anyone suggest how to remove the cover without breaking it, or am I on to a loser? TIA, David. I don't recognise the head recess type. If you don't have a bit you can always drill it out. NT |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:04:20 -0700 (PDT), Dave N wrote:
However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. Presumably the 6 "legs" and ring are the same height as the central dome, so you'd need something the profile of the dome to try and rotate the fixing. But as you say it does look push on so that might not help much unless it has "scrivit" sort of action, push on but the barbs form a "thread" and the fixing can be unscrewed, Can you push a pin down the central side of a "leg"? Thinking that if they are sprung inwards onto a pin, 6 pins might release them allowing the thing to lift away. -- Cheers Dave. |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 15:28:24 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice"
wrote: On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:04:20 -0700 (PDT), Dave N wrote: However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. Presumably the 6 "legs" and ring are the same height as the central dome, so you'd need something the profile of the dome to try and rotate the fixing. But as you say it does look push on so that might not help much unless it has "scrivit" sort of action, push on but the barbs form a "thread" and the fixing can be unscrewed, Can you push a pin down the central side of a "leg"? Thinking that if they are sprung inwards onto a pin, 6 pins might release them allowing the thing to lift away. Aren't they just a 'System Zero' (alike?) security screw? You need to just imagine them as a dome with slots down the side, the 'driver' is a tube with splines on the inside? Cheers, T i m |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On 18/08/2020 16:52, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote:
The thing is, is it worth the effort? Most of those I've had have had limited serviceability, normally nothing at all and all riveted together, some have a small panel that can allow changing of the flex or maybe even the cleaning of the switch mechanism secured by some security screws with a dire warning next to it. Most I've actually broken into use a simple module made in china with elements kind of laced around some kind of high temperature card and usually the element breaks somewhere at a bend and as all the elements are in series the whole thing stops. Quite how the frost button etc work, I've never looked but it sounds pretty mechanical. Non serviceable appliances are offensive, even if replacements only cost £5. Whatever happened to "right to repair"? -- Max Demian |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Tuesday, 18 August 2020 20:12:41 UTC+1, Max Demian wrote:
Non serviceable appliances are offensive, even if replacements only cost £5. Whatever happened to "right to repair"? I agree that it would be far better if repair were both possible and sensible. Though sometimes I think we have forgotten how poor some things were. As a child we had Morphy Richards toasters. Which were repaired (new elements) and replaced quite regularly. Whereas my current toaster has been going for about ten years so far. (I have a spare of the exact same model - in case it now decides to give up its magic smoke.) |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
"Max Demian" wrote in message o.uk... On 18/08/2020 16:52, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote: The thing is, is it worth the effort? Most of those I've had have had limited serviceability, normally nothing at all and all riveted together, some have a small panel that can allow changing of the flex or maybe even the cleaning of the switch mechanism secured by some security screws with a dire warning next to it. Most I've actually broken into use a simple module made in china with elements kind of laced around some kind of high temperature card and usually the element breaks somewhere at a bend and as all the elements are in series the whole thing stops. Quite how the frost button etc work, I've never looked but it sounds pretty mechanical. Non serviceable appliances are offensive, even if replacements only cost £5. Whatever happened to "right to repair"? The easier you make electrical items to repair by DIY'ers the easier it is for the more incompetent to render them unsafe and possibly electrocute users or burn their houses down. Obviously some DIY'ers are still going to do this providing they can source spares, but this isn't something manufacturers want to encourage. As this may be a source of unwelcome publicity if nothing else. While the labour cost of the time it would take a skilled repairer to dismantle an item designed for machine assembly, would often be greater than the cost of the item. Whereas in the days when stuff was assembled by hand the difference might not have been as great. And as hand assembled items cost more in the first place, there would have been greater incentive to repair them. michael adams .... |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 21:59:27 +0100, "michael adams"
wrote: "Max Demian" wrote in message news:Qq6dnYEoNIC7taHCnZ2dnUU78YudnZ2d@brightview. co.uk... On 18/08/2020 16:52, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote: The thing is, is it worth the effort? Most of those I've had have had limited serviceability, normally nothing at all and all riveted together, some have a small panel that can allow changing of the flex or maybe even the cleaning of the switch mechanism secured by some security screws with a dire warning next to it. Most I've actually broken into use a simple module made in china with elements kind of laced around some kind of high temperature card and usually the element breaks somewhere at a bend and as all the elements are in series the whole thing stops. Quite how the frost button etc work, I've never looked but it sounds pretty mechanical. Non serviceable appliances are offensive, even if replacements only cost £5. Whatever happened to "right to repair"? The easier you make electrical items to repair by DIY'ers the easier it is for the more incompetent to render them unsafe and possibly electrocute users or burn their houses down. Obviously some DIY'ers are still going to do this providing they can source spares, but this isn't something manufacturers want to encourage. As this may be a source of unwelcome publicity if nothing else. While the labour cost of the time it would take a skilled repairer to dismantle an item designed for machine assembly, would often be greater than the cost of the item. Whereas in the days when stuff was assembled by hand the difference might not have been as great. And as hand assembled items cost more in the first place, there would have been greater incentive to repair them. I thought the EU was introducing 'Right to Repair' regulations to make all goods user-servicable. I apprecate that the status of the UK has changed but is this proceeding for the EU? |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
"Scott" wrote in message ... On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 21:59:27 +0100, "michael adams" wrote: "Max Demian" wrote in message news:Qq6dnYEoNIC7taHCnZ2dnUU78YudnZ2d@brightview .co.uk... On 18/08/2020 16:52, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote: The thing is, is it worth the effort? Most of those I've had have had limited serviceability, normally nothing at all and all riveted together, some have a small panel that can allow changing of the flex or maybe even the cleaning of the switch mechanism secured by some security screws with a dire warning next to it. Most I've actually broken into use a simple module made in china with elements kind of laced around some kind of high temperature card and usually the element breaks somewhere at a bend and as all the elements are in series the whole thing stops. Quite how the frost button etc work, I've never looked but it sounds pretty mechanical. Non serviceable appliances are offensive, even if replacements only cost £5. Whatever happened to "right to repair"? The easier you make electrical items to repair by DIY'ers the easier it is for the more incompetent to render them unsafe and possibly electrocute users or burn their houses down. Obviously some DIY'ers are still going to do this providing they can source spares, but this isn't something manufacturers want to encourage. As this may be a source of unwelcome publicity if nothing else. While the labour cost of the time it would take a skilled repairer to dismantle an item designed for machine assembly, would often be greater than the cost of the item. Whereas in the days when stuff was assembled by hand the difference might not have been as great. And as hand assembled items cost more in the first place, there would have been greater incentive to repair them. I thought the EU was introducing 'Right to Repair' regulations to make all goods user-servicable. I apprecate that the status of the UK has changed but is this proceeding for the EU? The original idea which originated with motor manufacturers in the US was to prevent manufacturers from monopolising repairs by forcing them, and everyone else, to publish all the documentation covering their products which would be required by independent repairers. Should they be repairable There's nothing in the regulations forcing manufacturers of machine assembled products, to redesign them so as to make them easier to dis-assemble them by hand. All that would do is put costs up. Of course costs could go up so much that it would then be economic to repair. But then manufacturers would all go out of business as they wouldn't sell any new products. Just more bull**** IOW michael adams .... |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On 18/08/2020 15:51:17, T i m wrote:
On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 15:28:24 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice" wrote: On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:04:20 -0700 (PDT), Dave N wrote: However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. Presumably the 6 "legs" and ring are the same height as the central dome, so you'd need something the profile of the dome to try and rotate the fixing. But as you say it does look push on so that might not help much unless it has "scrivit" sort of action, push on but the barbs form a "thread" and the fixing can be unscrewed, Can you push a pin down the central side of a "leg"? Thinking that if they are sprung inwards onto a pin, 6 pins might release them allowing the thing to lift away. Aren't they just a 'System Zero' (alike?) security screw? I'm pretty sure you are correct. I wasn't sure what they were called. The OP will find the driver tool costs more than the toaster. |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
Fredxx wrote:
On 18/08/2020 15:51:17, T i m wrote: On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 15:28:24 +0100 (BST), "Dave Liquorice" wrote: On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 04:04:20 -0700 (PDT), Dave N wrote: However, when you turn it over to take the top cover off it appears to be fixed to the base using four fixings like this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 They look like push-on star nuts, so probably near-impossible to remove, and are also recessed by about 10mm, so even harder to access. Presumably the 6 "legs" and ring are the same height as the central dome, so you'd need something the profile of the dome to try and rotate the fixing. But as you say it does look push on so that might not help much unless it has "scrivit" sort of action, push on but the barbs form a "thread" and the fixing can be unscrewed, Can you push a pin down the central side of a "leg"? Thinking that if they are sprung inwards onto a pin, 6 pins might release them allowing the thing to lift away. Aren't they just a 'System Zero' (alike?) security screw? I'm pretty sure you are correct. I wasn't sure what they were called. The OP will find the driver tool costs more than the toaster. I would just attack a suitable width screwdriver tip with a Dremel or similar tool to produce a two pronged tip that fits. Tim -- Please don't feed the trolls |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
"michael adams" wrote in message ... The original idea which originated with motor manufacturers in the US was to prevent manufacturers from monopolising repairs by forcing them, and everyone else, to publish all the documentation covering their products which would be required by independent repairers. Should they be repairable Strangely enough none of this seems to take account of the original IBM PC and subsequebt clones which apart from proprietory ROMs were deliberately designed so as to be easily assembled by anyone capable of wielding a screwdriver, from parts from a variety of manufacturers bought off the shelf. So "the right to build your own" then. And then along came Apple. michael adams .... |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
Brian Gaff (Sofa) pretended :
Quite how the frost button etc work, I've never looked but it sounds pretty mechanical. Brian Judging entirely by the behaviour of mine, about 7 years old, it uses electronic timing rather than mechanical. |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On 19/08/2020 10:08, Harry Bloomfield wrote:
Brian Gaff (Sofa) pretended : Quite how the frost button etc work, I've never looked but it sounds pretty mechanical. Brian Judging entirely by the behaviour of mine, about 7 years old, it uses electronic timing rather than mechanical. Ours is a Russell-Hobbs "Seasons" toaster, about 25 or 30 years old (inherited from my parents). A few years ago it stopped latching when pushed down to start the toasting. I dismantled it and found a small piece of plastic had broken off from the latching mechanism. I used some epoxy resin to hold it back in place and the toaster has worked perfectly ever since. -- Jeff |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 23:16:43 +0100, "michael adams"
wrote: "michael adams" wrote in message ... The original idea which originated with motor manufacturers in the US was to prevent manufacturers from monopolising repairs by forcing them, and everyone else, to publish all the documentation covering their products which would be required by independent repairers. Should they be repairable Strangely enough none of this seems to take account of the original IBM PC and subsequebt clones which apart from proprietory ROMs were deliberately designed so as to be easily assembled by anyone capable of wielding a screwdriver, from parts from a variety of manufacturers bought off the shelf. So "the right to build your own" then. And then along came Apple. I think real computers are the last bastion of user-servicable parts (as opposed to 'no user servicable parts'). I changed a graphics card or USB card or something and told my brother (who works in IT). His reaction was; 'Did you open up your computer? I have worked in IT for 25 years and I have never opened a computer.' |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Wed, 19 Aug 2020 10:42:33 +0100, Scott wrote:
I changed a graphics card or USB card or something and told my brother (who works in IT). His reaction was; 'Did you open up your computer? I have worked in IT for 25 years and I have never opened a computer.' My partner's sister is a big cheese in one of the banks, but as a high-up in IT there has no password protection or encryption on her laptop. What's that proverb about the cobblers children being poorly shod? |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
"Scott" wrote in message ... On Tue, 18 Aug 2020 23:16:43 +0100, "michael adams" wrote: "michael adams" wrote in message ... The original idea which originated with motor manufacturers in the US was to prevent manufacturers from monopolising repairs by forcing them, and everyone else, to publish all the documentation covering their products which would be required by independent repairers. Should they be repairable Strangely enough none of this seems to take account of the original IBM PC and subsequebt clones which apart from proprietory ROMs were deliberately designed so as to be easily assembled by anyone capable of wielding a screwdriver, from parts from a variety of manufacturers bought off the shelf. So "the right to build your own" then. And then along came Apple. I think real computers are the last bastion of user-servicable parts (as opposed to 'no user servicable parts'). I changed a graphics card or USB card or something and told my brother (who works in IT). His reaction was; 'Did you open up your computer? I have worked in IT for 25 years and I have never opened a computer.' Apart from the case screws holding down the power supply, expansion cards and hard disks and motherboards (and maybe other stuff) everything else is just about a matter of joining up different sorts of connectors or plugs. Its hard to think of any other product which has ever been made which was deliberately designed so as to be so easy to assemble. The same may still be true of Apple except unlike PC's you're limited to fitting proprietary parts as a matter of policy. michael adams .... |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
In article , Martin Brown
writes On 18/08/2020 12:04, Dave N wrote: Our toaster (a cheap 12 year old Philips model HL-5224) has died and I've been looking at taking it apart in case there's a simple repair possible such as fixing a loose connection. Depends how it fails. The last one to go on me the magic smoke a huge bang and shower of sparks came out after the element blew and the then much shorter live loose end sub element touched earth. Can anyone suggest how to remove the cover without breaking it, or am I on to a loser? You need to figure out exactly how they put it together and work back. Did you write Haynes manuals in a former life? Chances are the right screwdriver head and sufficient torque will get it or sheer off the head to allow you to get in. The chances of a successful repair are slim and a cost effective one even slimmer. -- bert |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Wednesday, 19 August 2020 15:18:40 UTC+1, bert wrote:
In article , Martin Brown writes You need to figure out exactly how they put it together and work back. Did you write Haynes manuals in a former life? Lol |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
You need to figure out exactly how they put it together and work back.
Did you write Haynes manuals in a former life? Lol "Reassembly is the reverse ..." etc... :) Anyway, looking as closely as I can at the fixing, it still looks like some kind of star washer arrangement rather than a security screw, so it seems to me that the only likely ways to get the cover off are to drill the fixing out or break the washer off somehow - both options pretty unappealing. I thing I'll just have to splash out £30 for a new toaster. Many thanks to everyone for the suggestions and comments - I managed to find our old toaster in the loft today (a Braun model, c. 1995) so at least have something usable (it doesn't do thick bread or crumpets, though, which is why we got a new one), and note that the bottom panel is metal and fixed using screws.. Clearly there are some ways in which technology has gone backwards... |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Wed, 19 Aug 2020 14:52:39 -0700 (PDT), Dave N wrote:
I managed to find our old toaster in the loft today (a Braun model, c. 1995) so at least have something usable (it doesn't do thick bread or crumpets, though, which is why we got a new one), ... Er isn't that what a grill is for? Ah I guess with a modern worktop hob and a builtin oven you don't get a grill... ... and note that the bottom panel is metal and fixed using screws.. Clearly there are some ways in which technology has gone backwards... In more ways than one. -- Cheers Dave. |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 11:09:42 PM UTC+1, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Wed, 19 Aug 2020 14:52:39 -0700 (PDT), Dave N wrote: I managed to find our old toaster in the loft today (a Braun model, c. 1995) so at least have something usable (it doesn't do thick bread or crumpets, though, which is why we got a new one), ... Er isn't that what a grill is for? Ah I guess with a modern worktop hob and a builtin oven you don't get a grill... Well, we've got a built-in double oven; the top oven can be used as a grill but it's a horribly inefficient way of making toast, takes ages to get to temperature, only does one side at a time and will carbonise your toast in the blink of an eye if you're not watching it like a hawk. -- Halmyre |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Wed, 19 Aug 2020 14:52:39 -0700 (PDT), Dave N
wrote: snip Anyway, looking as closely as I can at the fixing, it still looks like some kind of star washer arrangement rather than a security screw, so it seems to me that the only likely ways to get the cover off are to drill the fixing out or break the washer off somehow - both options pretty unappealing. Or just undo the screws. ;-) To fasten anything with any form of snap washer would first have to insert some form of pin into the plastic and that's not as easy as just having a hole and putting a(n anti-tamper) screw in there. I thing I'll just have to splash out £30 for a new toaster. Many thanks to everyone for the suggestions and comments - I managed to find our old toaster in the loft today (a Braun model, c. 1995) so at least have something usable ;-) (it doesn't do thick bread or crumpets, though, which is why we got a new one), That's party how we winded up with what was probably the cheapest 4 slice toaster in the Argos catalogue, a white plastic 'Coolworks' thing and it's probably 10 years now and used very regularly. Why on earth would you want or anyone make a toaster that *doesn't* handle something as basic as thick bread or crumpets!? ;-( We also like the layout with all the controls at the end. and note that the bottom panel is metal and fixed using screws. Clearly there are some ways in which technology has gone backwards... But safety has gone forwards. It means 'most people' won't be able to get it to bits, not without getting, making / adapting some tools anyway. ;-) Cheers, T i m |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Thu, 20 Aug 2020 00:40:35 -0700 (PDT), Halmyre wrote:
(it doesn't do thick bread or crumpets, though, which is why we got a new one), ... Er isn't that what a grill is for? Ah I guess with a modern worktop hob and a builtin oven you don't get a grill... Well, we've got a built-in double oven; the top oven can be used as a grill but it's a horribly inefficient way of making toast, takes ages to get to temperature, ... Do you preheat your toaster? Or just bung the bread in it a press "go". Kitchen timer 6 mins for our grill. ... only does one side at a time ... True enough but that doesn't bother me. B-) ... and will carbonise your toast in the blink of an eye if you're not watching it like a hawk. So would your toaster if it didn't have an automatic (but unreliable) built in timer. "Unreliable" in that a second toasting straight after the first "will carbonise your toast in the blink of an eye if you're not watching it like a hawk". B-) -- Cheers Dave. |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Wed, 19 Aug 2020 14:52:39 -0700 (PDT), Dave N
wrote: You need to figure out exactly how they put it together and work back. Did you write Haynes manuals in a former life? Lol "Reassembly is the reverse ..." etc... :) Anyway, looking as closely as I can at the fixing, it still looks like some kind of star washer arrangement rather than a security screw, so it seems to me that the only likely ways to get the cover off are to drill the fixing out or break the washer off somehow - both options pretty unappealing. I thing I'll just have to splash out £30 for a new toaster. Many thanks to everyone for the suggestions and comments - I managed to find our old toaster in the loft today (a Braun model, c. 1995) so at least have something usable (it doesn't do thick bread or crumpets, though, which is why we got a new one), and note that the bottom panel is metal and fixed using screws. Clearly there are some ways in which technology has gone backwards... Have you tried using an Allen key? As they are 6-sided perhaps one would jam into the six gaps between the pins? -- Dave W |
Fixing a toaster - am I on to a loser here?
On Sun, 30 Aug 2020 18:29:08 +0100, Dave W
wrote: snip Have you tried using an Allen key? As they are 6-sided perhaps one would jam into the six gaps between the pins? I think it's one of those optical illusion things Dave, where you can see the head of the screw as a hole or a dome. https://photos.app.goo.gl/UVzMuB43adyfNWJ58 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:B...ollow_Face.jpg If you look at is as I believe it is, a dome, then the tool to turn it wouldn't go in but 'over' the dome with inward facing 'splines' to engage with the 'slots' in the screw head, like this: https://www.i-sells.co.uk/images/100...IVER-BIT-1.jpg A diy solution would be to find a fairly fine flat-bladed driver that will fit in the recesses the screws are normally set in and grind a slot out of the middle, the depth of the slot the height of the dome and the width the distance between two opposing grooves. Then hope it's strong enough to undo all the screws [1] without breaking. ;-) Cheers, T i m [1] There is normally at least *one* that won't budge. ;-) |
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