What's Wrong with My Toaster?

[Bill]

Both sides are all the way up. I see thetrip assembly for the bread but don't see how it attaches to the bail. I can manually push down the bail on each sid they seem to go down in tandem, and back up as well.

I'm assuming that screw right smack in the center, between the two bails is the adjustment screw? I guess I'll try that next.

The trip mechanism on the one slice side is very easy to push down, but the weight of the bread slice doesn't move it down by itself. Still, if this was the problem, wouldn't manually forcing the bread slice down until the trip mechanism is touching the bail get it to go?

[GTOguy]

Haven't seen a slot head screw on an appliance in decades. Probably USA made, and definitely worth trying to fix. PM Yadkin for pro tips.

[Red Baron]

...

[Bill]

Originally Posted by Red Baron

...

My toaster seems to be frigid.....no love.

[Red Baron]

Originally Posted by Bill

My toaster seems to be frigid.....no love.

Maybe it wants a thicker slice?

[CurtP]

Originally Posted by Bill

Both sides are all the way up. I see thetrip assembly for the bread but don't see how it attaches to the bail. I can manually push down the bail on each sid they seem to go down in tandem, and back up as well.

I'm assuming that screw right smack in the center, between the two bails is the adjustment screw? I guess I'll try that next.

The trip mechanism on the one slice side is very easy to push down, but the weight of the bread slice doesn't move it down by itself. Still, if this was the problem, wouldn't manually forcing the bread slice down until the trip mechanism is touching the bail get it to go?

By bail, I mean the zig-zag piece that's on the one-slice side - it's what trips the toaster to operate. It should spring up against a hard stop to reset. The lift should be all the way up against a hard stop too. Both will be springy, but should not flop. If the mechanism doesn't reset, then forcing the lift down won't trigger it to operate.

Yes, the screw in the middle is the tension adjustment screw. Don't go nuts on it. A couple videos that may (or may not) help:

YouTube

YouTube

This is mine. I took a picture to show the orientation of the bail and the lift:

[Bruze]

This seems appropriate . . .

[Bill]

So I don't see any switch the bail would contact. Do I have to remove the chrome shell to see it? I've tried putting some upward pressure on the bail, not too much, and I don't feel any kind of reset, or bumping a switch.

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

He only works in increments of 1/8ths... likely due to only having a 1/8th grade education

was it PE?

[PLRX]

Originally Posted by CurtP

Don’t throw it away. You won’t find a better toaster. Mine is a T-20B from the 1950s. Still works great.

that piece of crap was found in an estate sale among used underwear, and 8mm tapes.

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

Haven't seen a slot head screw on an appliance in decades. Probably USA made, and definitely worth trying to fix. PM Yadkin for pro tips.

Use a hollow ground screwdriver to avoid "camming out" of a hard to turn slotted screw.

https://www.graceusatools.com/produc...crewdriver-set

[higgyburners]

Originally Posted by GTOguy

Haven't seen a slot head screw on an appliance in decades. Probably USA made, and definitely worth trying to fix. PM Yadkin for pro tips.

Originally Posted by Yadkin

Use a hollow ground screwdriver to avoid "camming out" of a hard to turn slotted screw.

https://www.graceusatools.com/produc...crewdriver-set

the worst ally up i have ever seen....

[ZipZap]

If you are interested in keeping your toaster, which is pretty cool, then just open it up and clean it with a soft brush. If it hasn't been used in a while, it's likely mechanical. There should be a switch on the bread trays that sense when to start a cycle.Ensure it moves freely, as should the trays.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by PLRX

was it PE?

well, it wasn't wood shop.

[CurtP]

Originally Posted by Bill

So I don't see any switch the bail would contact. Do I have to remove the chrome shell to see it? I've tried putting some upward pressure on the bail, not too much, and I don't feel any kind of reset, or bumping a switch.

No switch. I was just trying to convey that there should be no upward movement of the bail. If there is, then the pretension needs adjustment. I believe the first video goes over the mechanism and adjustment.

If you do take it apart, remove the knob first. Adjust the knob to the middle setting before pulling it off so you know what position to put it back. The knob is what stops the movement and you can recalibrate by reindexing the knob.

If you were local, I’d fix it for you.

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by higgyburners

the worst ally up i have ever seen....

Attachment 100544

Rent free, Himey.

[ZipZap]

Originally Posted by CurtP

No switch. I was just trying to convey that there should be no upward movement of the bail. If there is, then the pretension needs adjustment. I believe the first video goes over the mechanism and adjustment.

If you do take it apart, remove the knob first. Adjust the knob to the middle setting before pulling it off so you know what position to put it back. The knob is what stops the movement and you can recalibrate by reindexing the knob.

If you were local, I’d fix it for you.

Agree, but I'd go ahead and clean it first to make sure it isn't just gummed up with pop tart frosting.

[Louie Detroit]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

If you are interested in keeping your toaster, which is pretty cool, then just open it up and clean it with a soft brush. If it hasn't been used in a while, it's likely mechanical. There should be a switch on the bread trays that sense when to start a cycle.Ensure it moves freely, as should the trays.

A can of compressed wouldn't hurt either.

[Bill]

Originally Posted by ZipZap

Agree, but I'd go ahead and clean it first to make sure it isn't just gummed up with pop tart frosting.

It was pretty clean, I did actually try and blow it out with the leaf blower while I had it in the back yard. It was clean, nothing blew out. Hasn't been used in at least 10 years, before that, probably another 10 years. And those times, it wasn't used regularly, just as a conversation piece, really.

Everything looks exactly the same as the pics Curt posted, and I tried everything suggested, cleaning, manipulating the bail, turning the adjustment screw, turning it upside down, etc., with no joy.

[CurtP]

Originally Posted by Bill

It was pretty clean, I did actually try and blow it out with the leaf blower while I had it in the back yard. It was clean, nothing blew out. Hasn't been used in at least 10 years, before that, probably another 10 years. And those times, it wasn't used regularly, just as a conversation piece, really.

Everything looks exactly the same as the pics Curt posted, and I tried everything suggested, cleaning, manipulating the bail, turning the adjustment screw, turning it upside down, etc., with no joy.

Then there's probably something inside that needs to be addressed. Could be a broken power wire, could be something got knocked loose either from rough handling or getting hit with the leaf blower. I don't recall there being a fuse inside, but mine is an older model.

If you're looking to have it fixed: https://www.davesrepair.com

He has service manuals for them: https://www.davesrepair.com/pdfmanuals/T20svc.htm

I'd suggest sending him an email, tell him what's happening, what you've done and see if he can help: [email protected]