1 reply to this topic

[pen-deco]

Hey all,

 

Dunn-Pens are very cool vintage Made in America pens. Problem is, they didn't exist long they're known to be weathered and often break during disassembly.

 

I've had this big Dunn Camel for a while, waiting for the chance to dig up some original spare parts to replace the filling system. I needed everything. From the breather tube to the little red handle. When I originally found this pen it; the back end of the feed was pushed through the section and someone had put a sac on the end of the feed. The sac extended all the way down to the hole where you'd normally see that distinguishing "little red handle." Maybe someone during this pens time had thought to try it as a blow-filler, or something else. Either way the pump unit was gone.

 

I got tired of waiting for parts to be available. So here's what I did so that the pen can work while I wait.

 

[attachment=1171:photo 1.JPG]

 

- "inner" tubing is from an ink refill

- took a red section that I had lying around, plugged one end, hammered on top of the clear tube

- breather tube to extend down the barrel

- o-rings for the packing

 

Here's a picture of what's going on inside.

 

[attachment=1170:photo 6.JPG]

 

Here's where it took some creativity!

 

- Brainstorming

 

[attachment=1174:photo 8.JPG]

 

- see this, it's the mouth piece from an electronic cigarette, and the threading is perfect.

 

[attachment=1173:photo 4.JPG][attachment=1172:photo 5.JPG]

 

- epoxy threading to fabricated red handle and we've got a snug fit, no leaks

----- I will note that the tube is buried into the red handle, you would want to do this as another way to be sure the pen does't leak

 

[attachment=1167:photo 3.JPG]

 

[attachment=1169:photo 2.JPG]

 

It was fun to do. I know there are purists out there who may not agree with this, but keep in mind that I do intend to find original parts. They're just hard to find, and I would like to enjoy this pen while I'm young.

 

[attachment=1168:photo 7.JPG]

Thanks for taking a peak.

[ihimlen]

Not bad for a quick fix, at least you can now fill the pen and write with it - and it's a repair that can be reversed if necessary. But if for some reason you never come across the correct parts and feel like taking this project a bit further, here's what you can do for even better results - you will pretty much restore the pen's original looks with modern, more durable materials.

 

You will need:

 

1) black plastic tubing of the right diameter (just google for plastic tubing and you'll find plenty of suppliers)

2) a red acrylic rod for the 'li'l red handle'. Again, you ca find many suppliers out there, this is what I could find here in UK - pretty close match, and it won't crumble/haze from use like the original casein handle - just make sure you get the right diameter to match the pen (and save yourself a lot of work)

3) a dremel, some Dremel sanding bits

4) some medium and fine sand paper (various grit), assorted Micro Mesh sticks and a good polishing compound.

5) a small saw blade (or dremel cutting bit), exacto knife

6) a screwdriver drill + a drill bit corresponding with your tubing (you can even get away with dremel drill and some assorted burrs).

7) vise/clamp

8) Wear suitable eye protection!

 

Brief instructions:

 

1) Measure and cut off correct length of the tubing.

2) Clamp the acrylic rod in your vise and drill a bore corresponding with the tube diameter to the correct depth (use your judgement based on the original handle's length). Deburr. Do not cut off the end of the rod yet.

3) Check the length and profile of the original red handle (you can check your other Dunn pens or... ask someone who has this  model) and mark the length with Exacto knife. Clamp the rod in your vise and use Dremel with a sanding bit (at low speed!) to give the end of the rod the correct profile. Go slow.

3) Release the rod and use assorted sand paper to refine the profile and smooth the surface.

4) Cut off your red handle with a saw blade and use sand paper to refine and smooth the butt of the handle.

5) Use Micro Mesh and a polishing compound to give the red handle a nice glossy finish.

6) Fit the O-rings and assemble the pen. The tube and the handle should be press-fitted but you might want to use some epoxy if you got a loose fit.

 

In reality this is much easier to do than it looks, I reconstructed quite a few clear Waterman butts using these tools and some acrylic stock I got locally (it is a similar kind of job, the only difference is the fit of Waterman butt vs. Dunn's Li'l Red Handle).

 

I'm not saying this is the best method to get this done (a lathe would be much more efficient but I have no space for it in my apartment!), but it works for me. Obviously getting the correct components is always preferred, but sometimes going the "if-you-need-it-and-don't have-it - fake it!" route can also be quite rewarding. Plus, if it takes you another couple of years to get the right parts, you might as well consider some DIY  And the best thing - in this case the repair is still reversible.

 

Enjoy

 

i.

 

(edit - formatting).

Edited by ihimlen, 01 September 2014 - 03:20 PM.