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[turner]

My poor mixer has been a little ill lately.  I'm not finding the model number at the moment, but it's just a standard lift model.  I'd imagine they all have the same locking parts.

Anyway, it doesn't lock solid anymore.  When locked, it has a bit of a movement where it can pop up and down.  Maybe about 1/4" of play or something like that.

Anyone else have this problem?  Is it common, or am I an odd ball.

Thanks

[pacoast]

I haven't run across this problem myself, but it's probably a loose or worn part in the cam mechanism. If the mixer is under warranty, call Kitchen Aid. Might be worth a call in any event, if it is a well-known problem they might repair it free even out of warranty. If you are a DIY'er, you can find the service manual (& buy parts) at http://store.mendingshed.com/kamisc.htm With any luck, it's just a few loose screws inside the pedestal.

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[turner]

Thanks for the link.  I spent a whole day finding that pdf once.    Sadly, they don't really go over the locking mechanism that well.  I know I can order a new lock, but I just wish I knew exactly what was failing.

It's way out of warranty.  Cash is a little short, or I would just send it in for a repair.  I was hoping others maybe had the same problem and knew what the problem was, cause I could afford a part and I can work on it.

I skipped the starter mixer, but it's NOT high end at all.  It's just a 300 watt one.  I think they start at 250 watt.  It's has plenty of power for single batches of pizza, but all that mixing as stressed the locking mechanism.  I took it apart once, but couldn't really tell what failed.

[pacoast]

You might want to post this question over at the KitchenAid forum too.
http://www.kitchenaidconversations.com/forums/default.asp
Hopefully, someone here (or there) can offer you more specific advice.

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[turner]

Thank you for the link.  After waiting for a few days to even be able to activate my forum account, and waiting for a response to my problem, I was informed that I could send it off to a authorized repair center.   

In the end, I'm afraid it will be a new mixer.  I'm not leaning to kitchen aid.  At the moment, it's not even the product, it's the lack of support.  The main plastic gear is suppose to be the weak link in that thing.  I took it apart and the gear looks perfect.  I'm not over working it, but for whatever reason, the top won't lock down properly and I seem to be the only one.

So, what other good mixer are on the market? 

[pacoast]

Depends on your budget. More or less in the same price range as the Kitchen Aids are the Electrolux DLX, Bosch, Viking & Cuisinart mixers. If you search this forum or Google you will find various reviews & opinions on these. A lot of people seem to like their DLX's. If you are looking at used mixers, you can sometimes find a decent price on a baby Hobart which were built like tanks.

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