Capt. Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure

[Larry Barrieau]

Hi,

 

I just got some of this stuff and would like to know how to use it with pens. I have a few Esterbrook pens with loose clips. Where and how much should I apply? Does the excess just wipe off? Do I reapply? The instructions are for rougher applications and I want to be careful.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Larry

[Ted A]

Maybe try the repair forum. There might some experience there.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Loose Esterbrook clips can be tightened up. Look on the pen repair.

There is no reason to glue them, like you wish.

Bad idea really.

[Ron Z]

Topic has been moved to repairs.....(which is where you are reading it)

 

Tightening an Esterbrook clip can be a difficult challenge. The inner cap has to be pulled out, which can be a challenge because some of the inner caps are quite brittle. Then you need to push the button out from the inside. Once the button is out, you need a tool to stake the rivet that holds the clip onto the cap to tighten it. The tool needs to have a short stem the same as the inside diameter as the rivet, with a curved shoulder to flair out the end of the rivet, backed up inside with a piece of steel rod. Once the rivet is tight again you can try to reinsert the rivet without cracking it, and put the inner cap back in.

 

Or if it just spins a bit, drip some Captain Tolleys in under the clip right at the top and around where the cap and rivet meet. Wipe off the obvious excess, and let it dry for about 24 hours. Dried CT can be removed with a paper towel dampened with naphtha.

 

This is one of the reasons why I don't replace clips on Esterbrooks. There are so many in circulation, and their price is so low that I can't bill out enough for the time necessary to go through the whole process and supply a clip.

[OcalaFlGuy]

If you can't lay your hands on the Naphtha, With a qualifier, you can remove the CTCCC with a paper towel moistened with the 90+ proof rubbing Alcohol. The qualifier here is that Estie plastic is especially tough but even It isn't fond of the high proof Isopropanol. I keep two pieces of paper towel nearby, one moistened with the Isoprop for the first wipe and a water moistened one to wipe After the alcohol wipe.

 

[EDIT] I have used the Alcohol wipe/Water wipe on Estie plastic and Hero plastic (cause well, it's Hero plastic ). I am not a chemist by any stretch, but I Especially Would Not use the Alcohol on any real Celluloid.

 

To slightly elaborate on El Zorno's response, CTCCC doesn't really have much real adhesive strength, so you aren't So Much "gluing" the clip (or cap band where I usually use it) down, you are more Filling Up the available space the part has to move Within.

 

If there is enough play such that the clip or cap band is a Real Spinner, the CTCCC if it works, probably won't work for long.

 

Bruce in Ocala, Fl

Edited July 30, 2014 by OcalaFlGuy

[Larry Barrieau]

Thanks guys I appreciate the information.

 

Larry