Fixing a jammed manual pencil sharpener typically involves opening it up and clearing the obstruction.
A jammed manual pencil sharpener is often caused by pencil lead breaking off inside, wood shavings building up, or other foreign objects getting stuck in the mechanism. Fortunately, most jams can be cleared with a few simple steps.
Steps to Unjam Your Sharpener
According to one method, the process involves carefully accessing and cleaning the sharpener's internal parts.
Here are the steps you can follow:
- Prepare Your Workspace: Find a clean area where you can work without losing small parts. You might want to have a small container handy for screws if your sharpener requires disassembly with tools.
- Empty the Shavings Reservoir: First, detach and empty the container that collects the pencil shavings. This might reveal some of the blockage immediately.
- Remove the Top Enclosure: As mentioned in the reference, the next step is to remove the top enclosure. This might involve unscrewing it or carefully prying it open, depending on the sharpener's design. Be gentle to avoid breaking plastic parts.
- Inspect the Cutter Area: Once the top is off, inspect the inside bar of the cutter carrier. This is where the pencil is guided towards the blade. Look for any visible obstructions.
- Remove Obstructions: Remove any foreign objects or debris. This is the crucial step for clearing the jam. You can use several methods:
- Tweezers: Ideal for grabbing broken lead or large wood chunks.
- Toothpick or Small Brush: Useful for gently nudging out smaller debris stuck around the blade or carrier.
- Compressed Air: A can of compressed air can help blow out fine dust and small particles. Avoid blowing directly into your face.
- Careful Shaking: Sometimes, a gentle shake while the sharpener is open can dislodge debris.
- Clean the Blade: While open, you can carefully clean the sharpener blade itself. Use a dry brush or cloth. Be extremely cautious of the sharp edge.
- Reassemble the Sharpener: Once you are confident the jam is cleared and the parts are clean, re assemble the sharpener in the reverse order of disassembly. Ensure all parts are properly seated and screws are tightened if applicable.
- Test: Insert a pencil and try sharpening it slowly to ensure the mechanism is working smoothly again.
Tools You Might Need
- Small Phillips head screwdriver (for some models)
- Tweezers
- Toothpick or small brush
- Optional: Can of compressed air
Taking your time and being gentle throughout the process will help prevent damage to your sharpener while effectively clearing the jam.
