The Fresh Loaf

A Community of Amateur Bakers and Artisan Bread Enthusiasts.

Berkel Bread Slicer Handle/Lever pin Removal

Levixmo's picture
Levixmo

Berkel Bread Slicer Handle/Lever pin Removal

Hi,

Does anyone know how to remove the pin of the lever/handle of a Berkel MB Bread Slicer? (Please see attached picture)

The handle/lever of my slicer is broken, I ordered the spare lever thinking it was going to be an easy task, but I was wrong. I have been trying to remove the pin with a pin punch and a hammer, but the pin hasn't moved at all.  Berkel's manual doesn't provide instructions for this fix, and I couldn't find anything on it on the web.

I called Berkel/ITW directly to request guidance, and they referred me to their local office in Houston which was reluctant to offer instructions over the phone, instead, they offered to send me a technician to change the handle for me for only $300 ($160 for the visit, plus $147 per hour of labor minimum).  I was left speechless...

Thanks!

 

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

You must be happy they did not round up labor to $150 an hour - you save $3.00 for every hour he is there.

I am not familiar with the slicer, but have taken apart lots of things, put most of them back together, and on a few occasions ,  didn't even have any left over parts.

 

First step is to confirm it is a pin, not some other fastener.  I checked a parts list, and they list both a roll pin and a taper pin and it seems like the diagram shows that as a taper pin.  https://static-pt.com/modelManual/BER-MB_pm.pdf?v=1532002562676   So  I would orient it vertically, then hit it with PB Blaster penetrating or similar,  then tap the end of the handle towards the machine -  put a socket over the protruding shaft so the pressure is on the handle not the shaft, to try to get some movement of the pin laterally, which may allow it to break free.  If it is a taper pin, not a roll pin, it will only go out in one direction, so you may try to tap from the other side. 

Don't completely rule out the possibility that someone replaced the pin at some point in the past and used a different fastener.     Good luck.  

Levixmo's picture
Levixmo

Thank you for your guidance Barryvabea. 

It is part No 31 on page 16 of the Berkel document you linked. So, it is a Pin - Taper #2 x 1.  Upon further inspection I noticed that the pin has some sort of welding or metallic paste on the bottom side of the lever that is keeping it from coming out when I punch it from the top side.

I had no idea that going from slicing bread by hand to a owning a machine was going to be this difficult :-)  LOL 

Rock's picture
Rock

Good advice from barryvabeach, especially using the PB Blaster oil.

If his suggestions won't help, a less conservative method might be to try to drill the pin out using an undersized drill bit. Hit the center of the pin with a punch to give the undersized (smaller than the pin) drill bit a place to grab and then carefully and slowly drill into the pin. You may be able to gradually use slightly larger drill bits to remove the pin or you could try to find a small "easy out" bit to twist the pin out. This video may give you an idea as to this process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMrDYJvY0Ts&ab_channel=UltimateHandyman

Once the pin is out check a local hardware store for a suitable roll pin (spring pin).

Dave

barryvabeach's picture
barryvabeach

Since it is a taper,  it will only come out one way, though  I would try from either side to loosen it up.  Another method is to use a C Clamp with a very short pin placed against the taper in, and a block of soft wood on the other side, as you tighten the clamp, it may push the pin into the soft wood.  Generally, once you get it started, it should come out without much trouble, though getting it started can be very tough.  Dave's idea would definitely work if you can't get it moving. 

Levixmo's picture
Levixmo

Thanks Barry, this is a unique wat out. I know I have a C clamp somewhere, I will give it a try too. 

Levixmo's picture
Levixmo

Thanks Dave. 

Great video. I will definitely keep this solution in my back pocket.

Levixmo's picture
Levixmo

Thanks Dave. 

Great video. I will definitely keep this solution in my back pocket.

 

retired baker's picture
retired baker

They might have inserted it with red loctite , a good blast with a propane torch will soften it.

If you try an ez out and it breaks, which it will because they are brittle hardened, you will be in a mess.

Levixmo's picture
Levixmo

These are all great ideas I couldn’t have come up with on my own.

Thanks Retired Baker. Whatever is holding the pin in place has a grey metallic color, I even thought it could be a bit of welding, at least that is how it looks to me. But it could also be Loctite or some other type of putty. I don’t own a torch, but I can try to borrow one. 

Rock's picture
Rock

JB Weld usually dries to a gray color. A very strong epoxy. Heat may still work on it and would be a good first approach.

Dave

retired baker's picture
retired baker

Just buy one, home depot has very cheap propane torches, epoxy turns to mush under heat, its flammable.

Over the yrs I had to buy all sorts of tools to avoid repair calls, if you own machinery you need tools.

as a last resort I'd take it to a small machine shop, they will do stuff like that cheap.