Welcome Chris, 'near Liverpool' is my original part of the world (born in Bootle, lived most of my formative years in Southport).
Two suggestions for learning more about restoration if your tool kit proves to be not up to the task...
Firstly, the Marshall-Oldfield book (3rd edition when it is available, see topic in repair section) is a must have.
Secondly the Writing Equipment Society run pen repair classes, either face to face or online more information from the WES website here
And if you can get down to the wicked South this weekend, the London Pen Show is on Sunday, by far the biggest show in this country, this can be a good place to buy restoration supplies and handle a bewildering range of pens. There are smaller pen shows around the country throughout the year, probably your closest show is the Northern which was previously held in Lytham but I seem to remember it may be moving to Chester next April.
Andy
Hello
Looking at the prices of the book and courses, I think that's a little out of my price range ( the average price of the pens I have is only about £4). My plan is to learn by my own mistakes, although there shouldnt be many of them if tap into the collective wisdom of the FPB
Cant make it to London for the show, but I will start saving up my pennies for the Northern show next year
Hi Chris I'm from near Liverpool as well and I love restoring old pens. Please try not to break any by taking things slowly and gently. My favourite site for restoration is Richard Binders. I still use it all the time. I can't wait for his book to come out. He sets things gown almost like a cooking recipe. This is what you need now on to the method. He also gives explicit warnings of the pitfalls. I now repair levers, buttons, vacumatics, snorkels and touchdowns thanks to Richard. I've just completed repairs for a fellow collector/user and he says he's delighted. Can't say I enjoyed it though I was so nervous. Totally different than working on your own pens. This site has some really serious collectors and they really know their stuff. Andy poster above is our Conway Stewart expert and Deb, who also posts knows an incredible amount about early British pens so it's not all Sheaffers and Parkers (my area of interest along with CS). If you need any advice there are some brilliant minds on this site.
Hello
One thing Ive already picked up on already is "Patience is the most useful tool in your toolbox" . Im looking forward to seeing what I can do to some of the cra.... poor quality pens Ive picked up
Ive had a browse around the richardspens site, and if Deb is Goodwriter Ive skimmed through there as well, both great sites.
Edited by chrism, 01 October 2013 - 07:15 PM.
The pen is mightier than the sword... except in a swordfight...then definitely pick the sword.
