Blade won't release from mixer

My Kitchenaid 6000HD mixer had the flat beater blade stuck onto the turning drive-shaft and would not move up, down, or sideways - like it was tack welded onto the drive-shaft. I tried all the initial recommended steps: oil-soak, hot towels, pouring boiling hot water, etc, - No Joy.

For final success I used a hot air gun - (a hair dryer would probably work) - to heat the socket of the blade where the pin (on the drive-shaft) inserts into the socket of the blade and (when the blade is turned) locks the blade onto the drive-shaft. I then used a small (craft-sized) rubber mallet to tap the outside of the blade socket all around and gripped the bottom of the blade (use a paper towel to guard your fingers from the heat) to turn the blade on the shaft slightly back and forth until it finally turned far enough to allow the pin to mate to the groove inside the blade socket. Then I tapped the top of the blade until the blade slid off.

After everything cooled to room temperature, I used a brass .45 caliber bore brush to thoroughly clean the inside of the blade socket paying special attention to the drive-shaft pin-grooves inside the socket. When cleaned, I then ran the hottest tap water into the socket for a few minutes and then dripped in Dawn dishwashing liquid to soak inside of the socket. I used a cloth with Dawn dishwashing liquid to thoroughly clean the drive-shaft.

I thoroughly rinsed and dried everything and using Olive Oil on my fingers, I lubricated the drive-shaft and pin. I carefully reinserted the blade onto the drive-shaft making sure to check that the blade was not sticking at any point on the shaft. It slid on and off several times with ease.

I then re-mounted the mixing bowl and affixed the blade onto the shaft. I made sure the mixer switch was turned to the OFF position, plugged the machine into power, and carefully turned the machine ON to the lowest setting to verify that the drive shaft was not bent and that the beater blade was undamaged. The machine turned the beater inside the bowl and ran like new.

I recommend that every time you use your mixer, that you use hot water and oil-dissolving dishwashing soap to ensure the inside of the mixer blade socket is clean; and that you thoroughly clean the drive-shaft and pin to ensure no food particles or other material remains on the shaft. Always use a little Olive or Vegetable oil to lubricate the shaft and verify that the blade can be moved onto and off the drive-shaft without sticking before storing the mixer for next use.

To Remove Flat Beater, Wire Whip or Dough Hook
1. Turn speed control to OFF.
2. Unplug stand mixer or disconnect power.
3. Tilt motor head back.
4. Press beater upward as far as possible and turn left.
5. Pull beater from beater shaft.

If the beaters are stored on the shaft of the mixer when not in use, food traces can harden and make mixer attachments difficult to remove. Should this occur, wrap a hot, damp towel around the shaft to heat and expand the area. A small amount of cooking oil sprayed around the shaft may also help. After the beater has been removed, thoroughly clean the beater shaft area with a small brush to remove any food residue.

-Tha Mp3 Doctor

Try to push up while you turn the blade. Don't be afraiid to turn hard.