Hi folks! I've had a bash at trying to work out what's wrong with my Andrew James mini chopper. In the pic you'll see a half gear on the left, the one on the counter fits on the spindle next to it with the wide base uppermost. However, I can't work out how to place it so that the gearing spins without letting go completely of the lower half gear. I've taken out most of the lubricant so you can see what's going on.

The motor is working fine - the chopper just wasn't chopping. There's a slight crack in the half gear and I don't know if it was already there or if it's what caused the gearing to stop working.

I would have phoned the company's tech team but unfortunately they've just gone into administration!

All advice gratefully received! Thank you.

 

If the gears don't stack properly I would look for any spacers or E clips that might have fallen out to allow the loose gear to position at the correct height. But, unless you have replacement gears it's a moot point since the gears you have are broken (one already broken and another cracked).

 

The "half gear"on the left is broken and half of it is missing.
It needs to be replaced.

 

Maybe coffee hasnt kicked in, but not understanding this statement!

As noted replacement parts?

A lot of times these things are staked in place so service is impossible, I see one C-clip on the left, the right nothing, the center one may just float held in place by the cover!

Just guessing!!

 

I am with GregH, the left hand gear is broken.
Getting a replacement gear odds are somewhere between slim and none.
In other wards what you have here is garbage.

 

Thanks all. It's very weird because the other half of the gear wasn't in the little compartment when I opened it up, and it was the first time I'd opened it up. It hasn't fallen through any gaps. How very strange!

Yes, the middle gear wasn't held with any clips and was held in place by the gears on either side. The middle one lifted out very easily.

Right. I'm going to see if I can find a replacement gear for the one on the left and try that. If not, then yes, it's garbage.

[Edit] I'm an utter idiot. The other half was in the base cover, covered by some lubricant. *blush* Off to find a replacement.

Again, many thanks.

 

Welcome to the forums from the UK.

We don't have that unit here in the States.
You'd need to check with a local parts company in your area for parts.

 

Thank you, Pete!

Yes I'm chatting to a 3D print company here in Scotland to see if they can help - after an exhaustive search I can't find an exact match on the net or in any of the DIY outlets over here.

What a great forum, and thanks again for the input everyone!

 

If you have both pieces of the broken gear you might be able to make a new one using something like InstaMorph moldable plastic. Make a mold of silicone and cornstarch (Google those words for info and videos.) There are kits but also DIY recipes.