Jump to content


Photo

Parker 75 nib/feed separation


  • Please log in to reply
1 reply to this topic

#1 matt

matt

    journeyman

  • Members
  • 1,379 posts

Posted 14 July 2010 - 03:40 PM

I've offered to straighten a bent 75 nib for a friend and I know it would be a heck of a lot easier if I could get the nib off the feed. It seems obvious from Nishimura's 75 nib display

http://www.vintagepe...?id=7651&pics=2

that the indentation on each folded "wing" locks over a raised tab (or the tabs on the wings snap into indentations) in the slot on the sides of the feed. I asked this question some time back on Zoss and one answer was to jam a toothpick in the breather hole to push the nib off, but all I did was break toothpicks. So I'm wondering if I should spread the sides of the nib ever so slightly so that the nib can be pushed forward off the feed and, if so, how?

Oh, wait! Just now, experimenting on my own pen after a soak in the UC to remove the dried ink, I got a good grip between thumb-nail and forefinger just behind the tipping and slowly pulled the nib off. Must have been dried ink or just hadn't been pulling hard enough. And it slid right back on and locked into place and I didn't even snap the tail off the feed! Mine's a broad nib, so getting a grip on the tip was easy; but just to be safe, I'll use a fresh sticky rubber band on my friend's nib.

July 17 update: I can't get a good enough grip on a fine nib to pull it off and I am very hesitant to try even very well padded pliers. Any suggestions??

#2 Joel

Joel

    ADVISOR

  • ADVISORS
  • 2 posts

Posted 19 July 2010 - 01:33 PM

Yup, leave it alone!

I know that's not helpful but I think you were relatively lucky to not damage the feed on the 1st one you did that just slipped off for you. I am guessing that it had been off before and thus the ease in taking it off and repalcing it. The Parker Repair Manual issued in 1993 specifically warns that the nib MUST NOT be removed from the feed. That said, yes, with great effort and determination, the nib can be removed from the feed by inserting a sharp rigid plastic or metal probe and lifitng the edge of the nib from the slot on either side and wiggling and sliding until it separates from the feed. The likelihood of breaking the feed or damaging the nib is pretty high. I much prefer making the repair of the nib (straightenting it - not retipping or welding a split) while still on the feed. With great care, appropriate burnishing tools and nib pliers (round nose and flat) the majority of 75 nibs can be straightened.

Joel




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users