How to Calibrate
Your Vintage Sunbeam Mixmaster's Speed
(Models 5 - 12 and 70's models with removable cords - MMA, MMB,
1-7A, etc)
One of the last jobs to do when reworking or
repairing a vintage Mixmaster, or after replacing its governor resistor,
is setting its speed adjustment.
(Any time a mixer is disassembled, and especially whenever a
governor
resistor is replaced, this adjustment should be rechecked. Resistor
values vary widely, and affect low speed rpm)
This is set with the mixer set to speed #1 on its dial. You'll find a
tiny hole in the dial on most models, designed to line up with the speed
adjustment screw when the dial's set to #1. This allows a tiny Allen
wrench (1/16" on models 3-12, 5/64" on 70's mixers) to reach in to turn
the adjustable-length screw or pin that determines when the governor
contacts open.

("Off" is straight up on all of these knobs)
In some of the earlier models, particularly the model
12, the Sunbeam medallion covers this hole, and will have to be pried
off using a sharp knife. In 70's mixers, the knob is pried off the
center of the dial to get to the adjustment hole. That can be a bit
tricky to do without snapping the knob's two somewhat fragile retainers.
To remove the knob, carefully insert a pin or small eyeglasses
screwdriver alongside the chrome knob's hooks, at about 11:00 and 5:00,
to release the hooks and pry it off. Proceed slowly and gently; as the
hooks are extremely brittle and easily broken off.
Once the hole is visible, with the mixer unplugged, insert the correct
size Allen wrench and "feel" for the screw. Turning the knob back and
forth a bit helps to locate it. Once the wrench is engaged with the
screw, leave it there, and plug the mixer in. Turn the screw slightly
one way, then the other, to get a feel for how the adjustment works.
Then unplug it again. I don't like to run one on speed #1 for an
extended length of time, as they generate a lot of heat. But they're
engineered to handle that, so I'm just being overly cautious, I guess.
The setting we're after on speed #1 is 200-300 rpm. Once that's set, if
the rest of the mixer is in good condition, the other speeds will be
correct, by design. If, after setting this, the speed doesn't vary
fairly evenly from one end of the dial to the other, there's another
problem with the mixer - binding spindles, etc.
I use an old hand-held mechanical tachometer that I've modified for
quickly setting this, and it works really well, but it's not absolutely
necessary. Back in the day, before I had the tachs, I simply put a piece
of black tape on one beater blade, then counted how many times/second it
went around on speed #1. 4 revolutions per second will get one close
enough - it doesn't have to be exact. I was always surprised by how
close you can get one this way, though. After you set a few, you can get
them really close "by ear", too.
Once that's set, remove the Allen wrench, run it up to high speed and
back a few times, snap the medallion/knob back on if applicable, and
you're done!
For downloadable service manuals for your Sunbeam,
visit this page.
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