17 replies to this topic

[JonSzanto]

I recently picked up a nice Conklin pen, apparently a second-tier variation on the Endura Symetrik. The pen is actually in excellent+ shape, with just one tiny thing to fix (besides a new sac): the lever pin is gone.

It appears that when the lever was up it might have gotten whacked sideways, as the tiny hole on one side of the barrel where the end of the pin would be, has had a little bit of the plastic pulled out. It doesn't appear that the pin broke through the entire plastic, maybe just took a tiny piece on the way out. I've located some piano wire that seem like a good fit in the two holes of the lever, with just enough play for it to work easily, but the holes in the barrel are tight enough that I can't push the wire through.

Any tips on doing this kind of operation? I'm assuming that, once I'm ready, I should cut the pin/wire to length *before* inserting, or should I put a long piece in and then - somehow - trim it? Also, with the barrel holes tight, would I consider heating the wire a bit and then push it through, softening the hole, or ???

If anyone has any ideas, let me know. Thanks!

[Teej47]

I'd try to locate a finer gauge wire before resorting to enlarging the pin holes. It's much easier to make a hole too big than it is to make it smaller again. Then I would cut to length prior to insertion so as not to inflict any scars trying to cut the wire flush with the barrel.

Hope this helps.

Tim

[JonSzanto]

I'd try to locate a finer gauge wire before resorting to enlarging the pin holes. It's much easier to make a hole too big than it is to make it smaller again. Then I would cut to length prior to insertion so as not to inflict any scars trying to cut the wire flush with the barrel.

Tim, I initially thought of that as well, but being that the holes in the lever itself are already there, I don't want to make the lever too loose. I think it may be very close at this point, in terms of diameter of the wire. Ron Zorn has suggested making sure the wire has been smoothed/de-burred where it has been cut, to make sure it goes smoothly in the body of the pen.

But, what the hell, I'll look for some wire just a little smaller and see how it goes. Nothing is permanent until I make it permanent. Thanks!

[Hugh]

Hi Jon,

I'd likewise recommend finding a smaller piece of wire, the plastic around that area (if it's smaller than the Endura line) is pretty thin and breaks out easily , the one major weakness of those pens. The side with the bit missing is probably fractured so try to reduce pressure on the hinge point when filling.

Regards
Hugh

[JonSzanto]

Thanks, Hugh. I feel a consensus forming...

[FarmBoy]

Thanks, Hugh. I feel a consensus forming...

I'm in the smaller wire camp as well. Since you have access to the orchestra pit, go two notes higher, no one uses B# anyway.

If the lever pin hole is blown out it can be fixed but I'd call it an advanced solvent weld/infill project.

Likely someone tried operating the lever against a fossilized sac.

Todd

[JonSzanto]

@Todd: I have wire cutters and a viola player at work I'm not fond of. Rehearsal/concert in about 5 hours. Do the deed.

Yeah, the remains of the sac were pretty crunchy, but I never thought it would be stiff enough to pop the wire/pin out through the plastic, thin as it is. I'm cautiously optimistic that it didn't pull open the entire hole through the barrel, but as the pin deformed it may have just taken a chunk out from the inside edge, in the cutout for the lever. I need to up the magnification.

Thanks. I think the path is clear.

[Procyon]

Jon,

If you are successful in your endeavors here, I hope you will let us know how you did it. I also have a pen with this problem that has been sitting there for several years.

[JonSzanto]

Years!!!??? Holy shit, Allan, you just cut me a LOT of slack!

But, yeah, somehow I want to make this happen, so I'll try to say on it. Honestly, at this point, what I really need to ramp up is a better magnification system. It is one thing to look at tiny objects with a loupe in one hand, but to actually do work with both hands on very, very small objects and areas, I'll have to go to another level.

I'll keep you posted. Please, I beg you: don't hold your breath. Or any body parts, for that matter.

[Jim B]

Years!!!??? Holy shit, Allan, you just cut me a LOT of slack!

But, yeah, somehow I want to make this happen, so I'll try to say on it. Honestly, at this point, what I really need to ramp up is a better magnification system. It is one thing to look at tiny objects with a loupe in one hand, but to actually do work with both hands on very, very small objects and areas, I'll have to go to another level.

I'll keep you posted. Please, I beg you: don't hold your breath. Or any body parts, for that matter.

My link

These are great and you can use both hands. Get the maximum magnification (10x i think).

Edited by Jim B, 23 May 2013 - 12:49 PM.

[Deb]

My link

These are great and you can use both hands. Get the maximum magnification (10x i think).

I'll second that! Mine is only 5x, but it has made many fiddly jobs a lot easier.

[JonSzanto]

Thanks, Jim and Deb. Looks like OptiVisor only goes to 3.5x, but also has an add-on loupe for super teeny bits. Bookmarked for future purchase!

[Deb]

Thanks, Jim and Deb. Looks like OptiVisor only goes to 3.5x, but also has an add-on loupe for super teeny bits. Bookmarked for future purchase!

It looks like the 5X is no longer available, but 3.5X should be fine. The more powerful a headset is, the more disorientating it gets as you flip it up and down while you're working.

[Hugh]

Hi Jon,

I've used small hypodermic needles before ( for pen repairs...not personal use...), being SS quiet strong and a bit of shellac holds then in place nicely. Those smaller pens are very prone to lever pin damage, it's just the amount of plastic holding them yet on the full size ones I've seen the lever busted off inside the pen with no damage to the plastic !!

Regards
Hugh

Edited by Hugh, 23 May 2013 - 10:55 PM.

[Ron Z]

Jon. The reason I said to remove the burrs on the end of the wire is that they increase the diameter of the wire at the end. Not the same as making it a point. You may in fact have the right size but it won't go through the barrel hole because of the burrs. Pen manufacturers tended to make the hole in the lever pretty close to the diameter of the wire. If the wire is too small it, as Hugh pointed out, is weaker. It also allows the lever to wobble on the pin. If there is a spring loaded J bar inside the lever can shift off of the J-bar, which is annoying.... and the wire can fall out of the barrel. It's also possible that there's still rust or schmutz in the hole, making it smaller. But hey, it's your pen.

re. the binocular magnifiers. More power (I'll take the pun) to you Jim. I can't use them - they make me dizzy and give me a headache. The single eye loupe that attaches to my glasses works best for me.

[david i]

Thanks, Jim and Deb. Looks like OptiVisor only goes to 3.5x, but also has an add-on loupe for super teeny bits. Bookmarked for future purchase!

It looks like the 5X is no longer available, but 3.5X should be fine. The more powerful a headset is, the more disorientating it gets as you flip it up and down while you're working.

My visor has multiple lenses which can double (3.5 and 2 in series iirc) with bright LED light

regards

d

[gweddig]

Just picked up the 3.5x with some birthday money Jon. That will cover you, also picked up an LED light that clips in place, might be worth the cost once I put brighter LEDs in the unit. --greg

[JonSzanto]

Wow, thanks again, everyone. At first I thought this query wouldn't get any response at all. Now I've almost got more than I can think about!

Ron, I will take a good look at the ends of the wire; IIRC when looking through my 10x loupe it seemed smooth, but I'll do my due diligence. Also: I don't mean to take away any work from talented repair people such as yourself. I just thought that, since I know how to re-sac a pen, if the only thing was getting the lever wire/pin happening, I should at least give it a go (while doing no harm). Believe me, I leave the really complex stuff to the experts. And most all of my pen purchases (including from you) are already restored.

Again, thanks. FPB rocks, frequently.