Many of you know that last Summer I picked up a scarce No. 8 hammered waffle iron base with an incorrect pair of 151N paddles with coil handles. I just picked up the proper base for these irons and have started to clean everything up.
It dawned on me that folks ask how to take the handles off but I don't recall a photo of this particular version. These are what I consider to be the latest version of the coil handle. They just screw onto threads cast onto the paddle (Orange Arrow). Very simple and quick to install (aka, saving labor cost.)
The first picture shows the handles sitting next to the threaded shank. I use a 1/4 inch pin punch to carefully tap the coil to remove (Yellow Arrow). You can't just grab them and twist off as they tighten up when you twist. They will easily twist back on and the coils will loosen a bit as you twist.
Now what is the Red Arrow pointing to? It's pointing to a thin, raised fin on the shank. What could be the purpose? It is to help level the paddles. The shank sits on the flat of the shank rest on the base. The fin serves to lock it into place.
Now look at the second photo of the 154 base. The Red Arrow points to the notch in the flat shank rest. Some people think that any late, low 975 base will work with these paddle. Not so. They need the notch.
(As a side note, I did notice that the early 151 paddles (no letter following the pattern number), still use the long bolt screwed into the paddles to hold it into place. This also tells me why there is a rectangular hole in the shank just in front of the ventilation holes on my 151N paddles, but this note is already too long to explain that.
Just FWIW, I always like to understand the production process and reasons behind design changes.
Tom
