6 replies to this topic

[johnmc2]

I received one of these leverless pens today from the UK.  It had miraculously survived the 13,000 mile trip, protected only by a single layer of tissue paper and an envelope

Fantastic large pen with a flexible #4 nib.  

 

My questions:

What size sac should I use?

Is the section friction or threaded fit?

 

Thanks in advance

 

Edited by johnmc2, 14 June 2014 - 12:52 AM.

[Widget]

Section is friction fit but I suggest you watch Grandmia vid on U Tube for instructions on how to repair.  Ideally you need a necked sac and it's 1 of the few repairs where the sac should touch the sides of the barrel.  You also have to knock the nib out to get the sac in but watch the video and all will become clear.

[Deb]

A size 22 should do the trick.  Remove the section from the barrel and clear out the remains of the old sac.  Check that the pressure bar rotates freely.  Knock out the nib and feed, measure the sac and cut to size.  As Widget says a necked sac is best but if you can't get one shellac a straight sac: then wind cotton thread tightly around it.  That's a bit of a hack but it works.  Leave it until the shellac is fully set, then, using a dowel to keep the sac straight, slide into the barrel.  Reset the feed and nib.

[johnmc2]

Thanks to both of you!  The biggest sac I had to hand was a #20 and it seemed a goodish fit.  I watched the grandmia video, but I'm reluctant to knock out the nib and feed unless absolutely necessary, and the #20 sac just slides in OK with a bit of talc.  I know it won't hold as much ink as the #22 but it does work, and I don't need to write large amounts with it.  Next time I make a sac order I will get a larger size or two.  

The idea about the cotton, Deb, was excellent, thanks.

regards

John

[Deb]

I hope it works for you but I rather suspect it won't.  It is essential to knock out the nib and feed and it's equally essential that the sac fills the barrel completely.  If it "slides in OK with a bit of talc" it will also slide away from the pressure bar.  The sac has to fill the barrel to the extent that it cannot move away from the pressure bar and is compressed when the bar is turned.  The only way to get a sac that big into the barrel is by removing the nib and feed so a dowel or some other straight inflexible rod can be used to stop it crumpling and bending back in the barrel.

Properly re-sacced, a Leverless will hold a great deal of ink.  Re-sacced as if it was a lever filler, which is what you have done, it performs inefficiently or not at all.

[johnmc2]

I hope it works for you but I rather suspect it won't.  It is essential to knock out the nib and feed and it's equally essential that the sac fills the barrel completely.  If it "slides in OK with a bit of talc" it will also slide away from the pressure bar.  The sac has to fill the barrel to the extent that it cannot move away from the pressure bar and is compressed when the bar is turned.  The only way to get a sac that big into the barrel is by removing the nib and feed so a dowel or some other straight inflexible rod can be used to stop it crumpling and bending back in the barrel.

Properly re-sacced, a Leverless will hold a great deal of ink.  Re-sacced as if it was a lever filler, which is what you have done, it performs inefficiently or not at all.

 

I am going to order a necked #23 x 2.5" sac which should do the trick, do you think?  It was the closest I could find.  The ID of the barrel is 49/128"

Once the new sac arrives I'll remove the nib and feed and do the job correctly.  The present arrangement is just pro tem

regards

John

[Deb]

It's a size bigger than I use for that pen but I don't think that will matter.  Good that you're getting the necked one as it's a better fit.