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The Fountain Pen Community -> Esterbrook -> Estie noob - some questions: loose j bar, split nib and replacing pen cap jewel
Post Info TOPIC: Estie noob - some questions: loose j bar, split nib and replacing pen cap jewel
jack25


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Estie noob - some questions: loose j bar, split nib and replacing pen cap jewel
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So I picked up 3 Estie pens: 1 transition and 2 J's and I have some questions that I am hoping some you more expreienced people may shed some light on.

One one of my j pens, the nib is a 2668. Compared to the other two (one is a 9668 and the other a 1550), the 2688 doesn't feel as good. It's more scratchy and sometime as I write, the nib point splits. Also, occassionally, after carrying it, I see a smal glob of ink on the shiny face of the nib. Is the nib defective?

On my transition pen, the j-bar is loose. Do you think the existing j-bar is salvageable or would I need a new one?

On the second J pen, the pen cap jewel is chipped (about 1/5 is broken off). Do they sell replacement jewels and how do I go about changing it?

Lastly, what do I use to clean the outside of the pen. Alcohol wipes?

Thanks all for your help.

IMG_20120604_214412.jpg

 



-- Edited by jack25 on Tuesday 5th of June 2012 08:54:11 AM

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grandmia


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Hello...The nice thing about the Esterbrook pens is that the nib units are easily replaced therefore you may consider changing it ?The J bar should not be loose has the bend to the bottom of the J broken off,if so it will need replacing.J bars are easily available and easily replaced.

Jewel replacement is a bit of a job to do.I drill the old jewel out (as it is broken anyway) and try and find a donner cap with a good jewel which i also drill but you have to be careful as you need to retain as much of the stem of the jewel as possible.Therefore i drill just a little and then try and knock out the jewel from inside the cap.All in all a bit of a job to do.

Cleaning the outside of the pen depends who you ask and what condition the pen is in.Personally for a bad example i use my micro mesh sheets first,followed by my own special potion then a final polish (some pen people use Simichrome polish) and in some cases i will finish with my Carnouba wax all done by hand.

I hope that helps a little.



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DWL


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Hi Jack, a couple of answers for you.

'the 2688 doesn't feel as good. It's more scratchy and sometime as I write, the nib point splits. Also, occassionally, after carrying it, I see a smal glob of ink on the shiny face of the nib. Is the nib defective?'

Look at the nib slit with a loupe, does the split extend past the breather hole towards the section? If so, it's cracked & it's time for a new nib. Re the ink drops, it's possible there is a pin hole in the sac allowing it to drip a little, OR it could be your ink. Are you using Noodlers or another heavily saturated ink? These are famous for 'nib creep' ink wicking/gathering on the top side of the nib. Could be either one.

'On my transition pen, the j-bar is loose. Do you think the existing j-bar is salvageable or would I need a new one?'

Carefully wiggle/pull the section from the barrel, grab the J bar with a pair of hemostats & pull it out. Now bend the J end open some and make sure the straight portion of the bar isn't bowed up or down. Adjust as needed, replace the bar and check for filler lever play/wiggle. If there is some, adjust the bar again until it's tight.

'On the second J pen, the pen cap jewel is chipped (about 1/5 is broken off). Do they sell replacement jewels and how do I go about changing it?"

You can chip off/drill the old broken jewel out. Find a parts/donor pen and drill out the rivet from the inside. pop out the new jewel and install it in your project pen. You may need to use a good strong adhesive so there isn't any play in the new jewel.

OR Talk to Brian Anderson at Anderson Pens, he is THE estie authority, and see what he says.

For cleaning/polishing get yourself a tube of simichrome. It's the best stuff I've found ion 16 years of playing with pens.



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Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito
~Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them

Frank


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Welcome Jack!
Nice Estie collection!

You already got great advice from DWL and Grandmia!
You can check with Brian for spare jewels and j-bars!

www.andersonpens.net

Remember that 2xxx nibs are not as good as 9xxx nibs.
When you do a direct comparison, you can feel the smoothness factor in the iridium-tipped 9xxx nibs!


Enjoy!
Frank

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jack25


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Thanks fellow board member for the advice. I've been familiarizing myself with the andersonpens site. I actually took apart the blue Esterbrook that wouldn't suck up ink and the sac was completely severed (don't know if it came apart as I took the pen apart or if it was like that when I bought it). I guess I'll have to re-sac the pen. Now to get supplies. This is a great hobby. I have two more Esterbrook coming in the mail, a silver one and an SJ green one. My wife gave the ok on the green one.

For the black and the red pens, I think I'll just leave them be for now but one day when I am brave enough, I'll try to repair them. For now I'll concentrate on the re-sac project. Thanks again guys.



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grandmia


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Hi Jack

The secret is not to tell the wife...



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Frank


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grandmia wrote:

Hi Jack

The secret is not to tell the wife...

 LOL!! 

Frank



__________________

"When, in the course of writing events, it becomes self-evident that all pens are not created equal" (Federalist Frank)

We sell quality, known brands at reasonable prices!!

Visit our Store Federalist Pens and Paper!  (TFPC Sponsor!)

(5% Discount for Forum Members! Use Code "FPC" at Checkout!)

Follow our discussion group(s) at www.linkedin.com!  (Fountain Pen Community/Federalist Pens)

Like Us on Facebook!-  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Federalist-Pens-and-Paper/821331454601577?fref=ts

 
DWL


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What she doesn't know can hurt you. (if she finds out)..lol

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Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito
~Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them

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