How to disassemble and repair the Toastmaster 1B14 Toaster

This video walks you through the disassembly & repair of a Toastmaster Model 1B14 from 1952. I’ve included a close-up high-speed clip of the bimetallic strip to show you the working mechanism as the toaster heats up and then shuts itself off. I’ve also included a close-up slow-motion clip of the release mechanism in action. Warning - this is a boring video, but it will be very useful if you're trying to repair or restore your old Toastmaster toaster!

Here is an age guide for Toastmaster Model 1B14 toasters based on the serial number stamped on the bottom plate:

Serial numbers (Manufactured dates)
100,001 to 995,105 (July 1947 to September 1948)
995,106 to 1,571,799 (September 1948 to April 1949)
1,571,800 to 1,800,724 (April 1949 to June 1949)
1,800,725 to 2,376,475 (June 1949 to January 1950)
2,376,476 to 3,780,999 (January 1950 to April 1951)
3,781,000 to 4,006,800 (April 1951 to July 1951)
4,006,801 to 4,320,599 (July 1951 to November 1951)
4,320,600+ (started using new elements) (November 1951+)
6,259,300+ (started using new springs) (Early 1956)
Stopped using serial numbers on all domestic toasters on July 24, 1956

[DobeyChru]

Thank you for this video. Hail the silent warriors that will do this kind of work and share to the world.
I love old things and appreciate the 50s aesthetic. I found this exact toaster at an antique shop and love toast and the Internet is an amazing place: vuala here is a video on it. Amazing. Thanks again.

[analogdesigner-Jay]

Thanks for this video. Mine is from 1950 and the dashpot needed a bit of silicone spray, now it works well again!

[johnmeyer]

I couldn't figure out the lightness control until I saw your slow motion. Thank you! The toaster still won't pop up on its own, but now I know what to look for.

[OregonRailfan]

Excellent presentation and explanation. Thank you!!

[SherriTrask-yh]

Good video. I had trouble removing the temp knob, but after I realized you had skipped a step and began with it already loosened, I got out a better light and discovered the tiny screw holding it in place. Everything was a breeze after that.

Thank you for putting together the video.

[peterpitocchi]

These toasters are great. I am in possession of 5 of these, three working and two for parts. A nice desktop project to fix and troubleshoot. I prefer toastmaster as I believe they never used asbestos in the heating elements, only mica.

[Ralphie]

I have this exact same model . .
Works good, just need to replace the power cord soon .

[jamesklinckman]

Thanks so much for your video. Just a little note, I’ve gotten pretty fast putting all 16 bread spacer rods back in, lots of of exsperence.

[jimbuettner]

This is a great DIY video, with one exception. The little knob that regulates the darkness of the toast has a very small screw in the center of the knob that first needs to be removed before the knob can be removed. Learned the hard way. I too am attached to the toaster. I grew up with it and I am now 68 years old (2021). Still works perfectly. Needs new cord.

[pnwperson]

thank you!!! mine is still running great! been in the family since day 1

[kimbrown]

This video was helpful to see the innerworkings of the toaster. Thanks! Do you have a video showing the replacement of a power cord? I have a Toastmaster model 186 that needs a new cord. I've gotten differing opinions on the type of cord it needs and I'm intimidated by all the screws on the bottom of the toaster.

[kathleengrainger]

I have my grandmother's 1B14 which I love but it has an element in the left slot that is not working. I loved your instructive repair video, but don't feel confident I can do this as I would hate to do anything to compromise this "treasure" from my Grandmother. It's the only toaster I have ever had, and I'm extremely sentimental and would love to see this toaster continue as long as I do and beyond! Would you consider repairing this for me? Thank you for your consideration.

[andreasvogel]

Thank you for the wonderful and helpful video.
I love this toaster. And I'm glad to see that I'm not alone.
I have a problem with my identical model: when I test the housing with a voltmeter, there seems to be about 80 volts there. The current-carrying metal parts inside do not touch the housing at all. What is going on? Do the inner walls of the housing need insulation with a mica plate?
Thank you for sharing your experiences.
Best regards from Switzerland: Andreas

[dannyworthington]

How do you fix a spring that has come off from the lock that holds down the toast? Ideas ?

[richardwolfe]

Under the cover on the control side, there is a vertically mounted brass piston. Is it there to make the toast rise smoothly? And is that little nut on top of the piston there to adjust the airflow, and thereby control how smoothly the toast rises?

[andreah]

Do you have any vids of the Automatic version of this toaster? Mine prematurely lowers before I put toast in and intermittently raises/lowers a bit after. Thanks!

[joekremer]

Can I ask where you found the cloth insulated power cord? The toaster get quite hot, worried that a generic power cord may melt insulation, but I’m not sure where to find a replacement.

[quitodbq]

Thanks for your great video. We obtained the 3-slot version but it doesn’t heat up when you push the lever down. Would this likely be a straight forward fix? Thanks again. PS It says model 1C5.

[leahstrothman]

Thank you for this video. I took a peek inside my toaster and it appears that the heating strips are all attached, but my toaster still will not heat up. Any ideas what would cause that?

[TheManusimpson]

Hello Sir,

You seem very knowledgeable, so I figured I’d ask you: my toaster is not popping the bread out. Meaning when the toasting is over, I hear the “CLUNK”, the lever is free to move but the bread won’t come up. I have to manually help the lever to have the bread come out.

I checked the main spring (big one) and put max tension on it - nothing chances. I even tried pulling it further with pliers, to see if additional tension would solve the issue. It does not. The spring seems OK, and K have no idea where to look.

Any idea? You’d be a lifesaver