Link updates for current eBay listings

4/23/2012 - The job for Model 17 and Model 18/19 replacment gears is currently being re-tooled. A small batch of each will be listed again soon.

2012 Update

Happy New Year! It's been a long time since I've updated this blog and a reboot is long overdue on ebay listings and info here at this blog too.

We will soon have video instructions for repair and maintenance, a FAQ, and also will attempt to keep current info on what's available.

This post has been updated on 2/9/2012 and here are the current items listed on eBay:

Replacement part for a Hunt Boston Mode1 17 Sharpener:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130645939804

Replacement part for Boston Model 18 or Boston Model 19:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/140700426726

Don't throw that sharpener away!

Production has been slow last month but stock is now available again on eBay.

Production and Availability Update

There have been many requests on availability for the Model 18/19 gears and the Model 17 gears. This is a home-brew effort and periodically the setup/trial-and-error has to be re-approached from scratch. Also, nothing is listed until available and all items are tested before shipping. For these reasons there may be a short runs until the wheels are turning again so keep checking here for updates.

Jan 28th - After many delays, both gears are now available on ebay again. I am going to remove references to any inactive auction numbers to prevent confusion. Both listings can be found by searching for "boston pencil sharpener gear" on ebay.

Sorry to anybody who was not updated yet, I was not aware that ebay limits how many messages you can send in one day (grrr). I will try to catch up on notices until those are finished.

More info will be posted soon and I will continue to make this available for as long as there are requests.

Boston Model 17 Sharpener Pictures

These pictures are to help identify whether you have a Boston Model 17 electric pencil sharpener. You can click on any image for an enlarged view.

For starters, note that the brand name on the front cover (this pulls out and is the shaving's tray too...) bears the brand name Hunt Boston.



The length of the unit from the edge of the faceplate / tray is about 7 and 15/16 inches. The width is about 3 and 6/16 inches.








Centered on the back of the unit is a case screw.









On the bottom of the unit should be (unless it fell off or was removed) a label with the model number, serial# and other information.








Note there are two case mounting screws (missing in this photo) in the center also to hold the sharpener case closed and suction cup feet to hold the sharpener still if on a flat surface.

Model 17 Gear Close-Ups

Here are some comparisons of a Model 17 replacement gear (green) and an original part (that funky burnt peanut butter color)

Note : You can click on any picture to see an enlarged view

This view is of the 'front' side. The cutter shaft of your sharpener goes into this end of the gear.

This view shows the back side of the gear side-by-side. Note that the replacement is simplified, there are no pegs as on the original, and the back is solid, does not have the cutaway that the forms an edge and hub.

These are made to press fit does not require a clip to secure the gear to the shaft.

The thickness of the replacement gear (edge of front collar to back surface) is an approximate match to the thickness of an original part's (edge of front collar to edge of hub and gear on the back). Pictures are not zoomed to the same size (note to self use a tripod) but the caliper is the same setting on both pictures.

Model 18 Gear Replacement Instructions

Notice: These directions are for a Model 18 sharpener. Models 19 and 17 are generally replaced the same way - directions for those models will be added too so that the specifics and photos match and cover anything that is different on those types of sharpeners. You can click on any of these photos for a close-up. At any time when you are handling the blade assembly, take measures to protect your hands! (guideline suggestions for this are in step 5)

Step 1 - Set up the sharpener as you would when it is ready to use. Tip it slightly forward and tap on the top of the sharpener a few times. This is to shake pencil shaving into the bin. Remove and dump the bin. Unplug the sharpener (safety first!) and turn it over as shown in the picture. Remove the 3 screws from bottom of the case. Yay! somebody already did this one for me! (heh..ok..that was lame)

Step 2- Remove the bottom cover from the case and put it somewhere safely out of the way. Put the mounting screws in this cover (turn it up with the feet down and use it like a holding tray). If you replaced the shavings bin (as shown in the picture), remove it and set it aside until after the repair is complete. Make sure you keep the screws separate from the housing cover screws (will be removed later). Putting the wrong screws in the wrong place can lead to a loose fit and your sharpner may buck and kick instead of running smoothly.

Step 3 - Lift the sharpener assembly out of the case. The center plate holds the motor on one side (right in figure shown) and the sharpening blade and housing on the other side (shown at left). For this repair, you will NOT be removing or loosening anything from motor assembly.

Step 4 - Remove the screws shown and set them aside so they will not be exchanged with the screws that hold the case cover. Pull the blade housing gently back and let it lay to the side while you swap (or install) the replacement gear.

Step 5 - Here is a front view of the blade housing removed and set t0 the side, wires still connected. In view are the blade assembly and a blade assembly guide. This guide has gear teeth that match the a gear that is part of the sharpening blade assembly.

In this side view, you see the blade gear, the blade assembly guide, and the blade assembly. Again, if you are replacing a gear that has completely broken, you may be removing pieces from inside the case rather than just swapping the gear.

Using a cloth or thick wrapping of paper towel or a work glove (make sure you do something to protect your hand from getting cut by the blade), get a grip on the blade assembly and pull it back to remove it from the sharpener. It may take some force to do this if there is still a gear or portion of the gear intact.

Notice that the shaft on the blade assembly has some flat side sections on it near the end. If you examine the shaft-mount on the gear, you will see that it also has flat portions in the end face that match up with the shaft . This locks the shaft in and keeps it from free-spinning so the gear will drive the blade assembly when it is turned by the motors main drive that engages to this gear.

Step 6 - Do a test fit of the blade assembly to the gear. This step does not take long and will familiarize you with what it takes to get a proper fit and aligment of the parts when they are replaced into the sharpener.

Step 7 - if the blade assembly guide came out when you removed the blade assembly, mount it back to the plate. Notice the proper direction and flush fit to the center plate as shown in the figure.

Step 8 - work the blade assembly shaft partially back into the guide and through the hole in the center plate. Place the replacement gear with it's collar section and shaft mount facing the center plate. Turn the blade assembly and match it up to the shaft mount in the gear's collar, then snap it fully into place. This should align the gear so it meshes with the small drive gear on the motor.

Step 9 - Replace the blade assembly cover back over the blade assembly. Fasten it back to the center plate with the mounting screws. Re-assemble the sharpener by working your way backwards through steps 3, 2, 1 and you should have lift-off!