Repairing A Handmade Fp

[DrRoger]

Some time ago I bought a beautiful hand made homage to a WE gold seal - yesterday it broke. The (acrylic) barrel has snapped into two pieces but while I can fix it back together I don't know if shellac or another adhesive would be best. I haven't repaired a pen barrel before so advice would be gratefully received (I love the pen & don't want to damage it.) If pictures would help I can try to add later.

Thanks,

Roger

[DrRoger]

This is the pen

[duncsuss]

Roger,

 

Irrespective which type of glue you use (and I'd be inclined towards CA), the cross section of the barrel is a very small surface area. My approach to fixing this would be to insert a tube or strips of thin metal (e.g. brass), kind of like a stent or internal splint. That would be much stronger than just a lick of glue and press the two parts together.

 

HTH --

 

Duncan

(ps ... greatly relieved to see it wasn't the pen I made for you)

[watch_art]

That Sheaffer acrylic is some fragile stuff. A brass tube like mentioned above, or a new barrel, would be the way to go.

[DrRoger]

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate your help and time. Thing is, a piece of brass inside would leave very little room for the convertor so I guess a new barrel may be the way to go: would anyone be interested in making one? Please.

[duncsuss]

I'd offer to make a replacement barrel, but I don't have any of that acrylic, nor do I know for certain that I have the tools to create the 2 screw threads to exactly match the section and cap.

 

I will certainly attempt a repair on your broken barrel -- whether or not you're able to find somebody who can make a new one for you. I've got some thin strips and tubes of brass that could still allow clearance for the converter.

 

Feel free to send me email or PM.

 

Duncan

[watch_art]

The brass tube wouldn't need to be very thick. His idea of the strips sounds good though. You should go for it.

[DrRoger]

Hi,

I just found an issue that might mean a brass tube or strips of brass would not be possible- the break is very close ( <1.5mm) from the threads that secure section to barrel. I'm guessing that this would not be enough to secure across the break. I hope that is an adequate description (I don think my camera will photograph closely enough to show what I mean. Guess the best I can do is glue the pieces together or put the nib in a different pen. Duncan and Shawn, thanks for your advice - I really appreciate it.

Roger

[watch_art]

I've got plenty of that material around if you end up wanting a new barrel. I could cut whatever threads are on it, easily, too.

[3rdlakerobert]

Roger, I'll take care of the problem for you. As the maker, I feel a responsibility. The material is notoriously fragile, I found out too late. I'll do it asap and for the cost of postage. PM on the way.