Jump to content


chrism

Member Since 29 Sep 2013
Offline Last Active Oct 12 2013 11:23 AM
-----

Posts I've Made

In Topic: "noob" question No.1

06 October 2013 - 09:53 PM

From the replies I`m assuming that at some point in the past the pen as got soaked and softened , the j-bar then forced the barrel out before the pen shrank back again (the cap ring is also very loose which I think supports the swell/shrink hypothesis) .

I`m going to try and get my hands on some picks and forceps to drag the J-bar out, then try forcing the barrel back into shape by the judicious use of my daughters hair dryer combined with brute force (possibly involving a mallet).

In Topic: Happy David

02 October 2013 - 06:14 PM

Surely the definitive line up would be:

Sean Heyes
Will Sasso
Chris Diamantopoulos

.............I`ll get me coat.

In Topic: Hello

01 October 2013 - 07:04 PM

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.