Figure 1 - Problematic Pencil Sharpener

If you have an electric pencil sharpener like the one above (maybe without the clock which is an optional feature...this is a Model # 7845 or Item 773-122 with the name FORAY on the side) and it is has stopped working, then check out the fix below.

The typical problem is that you stick your pencil into the insert and nothing happens (no grinding noise or nothing).  Another problem could be that there is the noise of the motor working, however, the pencil sharpener seems to not be grinding and sharpening the pencil (....this problem is addressed towards the end of the instructions).
 

Theory of the Problem

There is a switch within the pencil sharpener that is activated once you insert the pencil to be sharpened.  That switch connects the power to the motor and gets the motor turn (for grinding the pencil tip).  After numerous use, the switch tends to get pushed so that it doesn't make contact when a pencil is inserted.  These repair instructions show how to locate this switch and fix it so that it will work again.

This an easy fix and while most people would just throw out the pencil sharpener and buy a new one, I hope these instructions would encourage you to at least consider the possibility of fixing the sharpener, saving space in the landfill.

The tools you will need for this repair are shown in Figure 2 below:

Figure 2:  Tools Needed for the Repair

Tools needed (as shown in Figure 2):

1) Regular Philips screwdriver.

2) Small (jewelers) philips screwdriver.

3) Needle Nose Pliers (optional, but very helpful).

 

Figure 3:  FIRST - UNPLUG!!!

UNPLUG THE PENCIL SHARPENER BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH ANY OF THESE INSTRUCTIONS.  WORKING ON A PENCIL SHARPENER THAT IS PLUGGED IN IS A SERIOUS HAZARD WHICH COULD RESULT IN INJURY AND/OR EVEN DEATH.  One more time, UNPLUG THE SHARPENER!

 

Figure 4:  Remove 4 Screws from the Bottom

If you think about it, you may want to empty the tray of any shavings before proceeding...it will make for a cleaner repair process. 

Also, you may want to get a blank sheet of paper and roll some tape to make it double-sided.  Use the double-sided tape pieces on the blank sheet of paper to hold the screws you remove.  It will help you keep track of the screws.

Take the pencil sharpener and turn it over to expose the bottom.  Remove the 4 screws as shown in Figure 4.

 

Figure 5:  Remove Shavings Drawer
 

With the 4 bottom screws removed, flip the pencil sharpener right-side up and remove the shavings tray as shown in Figure 5.  Place the screws on your blank sheet of paper with the double-sided tape.

 

Figure 6:  Lift up to Remove Top Cover

The top cover should lift up with the screw removed as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7:  Remove Two Small Screws of Switch

Using a jeweler's phillips screwdriver, remove the two screws of the switch (as shown in Figure 7).  Place the screws on your blank sheet of paper with the double-sided tape.

 

Figure 8:  Remove Switch Cover

Remove the switch cover (shown in Figure 8) and set aside.

 

Figure 9:  Switch Mechanics

With the switch contacts exposed, you can see how the switch works.  When a pencil is inserted into the hole, it pushed up the plastic wedge (item 1 in Figure 9) which pushes the lower contact piece up to contact the upper contact of the switch (item 2, the circled area of Figure 9, shows the two contacts, where the lower one should push up and touch the upper contact when a pencil is inserted...without a pencil inserted, the two contacts should not touch) .  What happens is over time, the upper switch contact will get further away from the lower contact and will eventually get too far away to make contact when a pencil is inserted.

Figure 10:  Adjust Switch Contact

Using a pair of needle nose pliers, you can slightly twist the the upper contact to move it closer to the lower contact.  CAREFUL, you do not want to twist it too much as it will make contact all the time...make small adjustments to get the upper contact close to the lower contact, and then test to make sure that upon inserting a pencil, the contacts touch...AND make sure once you remove the pencil, the contacts don't touch (if the contacts are too close, sometimes, they will not separate all the way when the pencil is removed....take patience to adjust properly).  If you don't have  a pair of needle nose pliers,  you may be able to make the adjustments with the small screwdriver, using the tip to make the small adjustments in the upper contact's position.

After making the necessary switch adjustments, you may start to reassemble the unit. 

Replace the switch cover using the small screws (Figure 7 and 8).

 

Figure 11:  Make Sure Gears are Engaging

With the switch cover in place, you may want to make sure that the gears are properly aligned.  I had the experience that after making the switch adjustments, the gears got out of alignment.  When this happens, once you get the unit reassembled, the motor will run, but there will be not grinding or sharpening of the pencil.  What I had to do was use a small screwdriver to move the gear on the shaft of the motor (small gear pointed to by the arrow on the right in Figure 11) to mesh with the mating larger gear (pointed to by the left arrow in figure 11).  Just make sure the gears are properly engaging.  If you turn the larger gear by rotating it, you should get resistance, as you push, from the gear attached to the motor. 

If the gears look worn or are not meshing/catching enough to turn each other, you may be at the end of life for your pencil sharpener.  With these plastic gears, they will eventually wear out and grind themselves smooth.  Once they wear out, it would be time to throw it away and get a new one...but hopefully this is not the situation.

Figure 12:  Replace Top Cover

As you continue the reassembly process, make sure that the wires don't get in a position to bind with the motor (again, another situation I have experienced....upon putting a pencil in to sharpen, I would just hear a hum...the wires were binding with the motor/motor shaft). 

With the caution above, replace the top cover.

Replace the shaving tray (Figure 5).

Flip the pencil sharpener over on its top, and replace the 4 screws on the bottom (Figure 4)

Flip right-side up and plug in to try out.

Hopefully you have fixed your pencil sharpener.  Congratulations if you have had success.