This is my latest item and it is black (same material, just a different color for sake of variety, the Batman version!). This is my third ebay auction and I have made mods to the listing in hopes to make things go smoother. Here is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130415227748

I have found a forum that is full of people asking for this part. I have received no feedback from my posts there. Many of the people posting have not registered so I am not able to contact them so I set up this blog in hopes they will find it.

My goal is to continue to provide this for whoever needs it. Models 17 and 19 are still slated for support too. I have noticed that there are 'watchers' on my auctions and that is terrific but I have tried to make the shipping and buy-it-now options very reasonable.

No items will be listed for auction prior to availability for shipping. If anybody has questions or feedback or a special need (i.e. quantity) contact me here or via ebay.

Production forecasting

The first auction for a Model 18 gear is going well and there will be more available.

item for sale on eBay

I'm listing my first Boston Model 18 gear on ebay...we'll see how this goes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=130412030798&Category=25341&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26its%3DI%26otn%3D1

Parts for Model 17 and Model 19 still in the works...

Boston Pencil Sharpener Model 18 Large Gear

If you found this blog then chances are you have a Boston Electric Pencil Sharpener - Model 18, and let me guess, it was working great for years until one day, the large gear broke.





This happened to my Dad. I had no clue why he wanted to repair it...why not just buy a new one? After seeing how sturdy this sharpener was built and what a perfect point it makes, I now 'get' why he doesn't want a newer different one.

I searched for parts and no luck. I did have plenty of luck finding other folks online who are in the same boat. Their large gear is broken too... some have even purchased new sharpeners but would still rather have their Model 18 working again.

I will for now spare the boring details about all the experimentation it has taken (and small investment!) but the bottom line is, I was able to reproduce the gear. The copy is made of tougher material, and I am able to make spares as-needed.

The image shown is a pair of repro gears, arranged to show the front and back details of the part. On the front side of the part (right side of photo), the mounting hole for the shaft is a detailed copy of the original. The gear will fit on to the shaft assembly just as the old one did. On the rear side of the part (shown on left side of photo), the center hub spacer and edge detail match the original.

These are working prototypes and have some minor flashing on the back edge of the gear. That does not affect operation and I am working to elminate that. I am re-working the mold to eliminate air bubbles, but that has been minor and non-critical to operation also. These prototypes are made of stronger material than the original and will be available for about 12 dollars.

next...

The next phase of this project is to continue improvements on the casting process and then work on replacements for Boston Model 17 and Boston Model 19 gears.