How to replace a J-bar?

[ayjayar]

Now the pen is apart. Sac is wasted (twisted). Clearly, whoever replaced the sac knew nothing about it, didn’t use talcum to make it slide in, therefore the sac twisted. Now it’s useless. I am sure I can replace the sac easily, by following Richard Binder's exquisitely detailed instructions http://www.richardspens.com/?page=ref_info...replacement.htm

 

Now as to the J-bar. The spring seemed corroded. It moved OK, all the way to 90 degrees, but looking at it with a thin penlight, I saw corrosion, probably from leaked out ink. Who knows when this pen was used last? I pulled it out with needle-nosed pliers. All yucked up with corrosion, just as I thought. I see some replacement springs at Fountain Pen Hospital, but they come in 3 sizes. I thought they were are the same. So how do I know which to get? The pen is a "J." Also, does it need a spacer, or pushing the spring all the way to the bottom until it stops will do?

 

PS. Just as an aside. I don’t mind doing the repairs. Love to learn new things about my hobbies. Fixed pens 40 years ago, no reason why I shouldn’t now. Right? BUT, caveat emptor!! Now I see the wisdom of buying these things from our friends here, rather than eBay. The description for this pen was:

 

"Vintage Esterbrook fountain pen. 2314-M stub nib!. Largest "J" size. Working!!

Nice Esterbrook fountain pen. New sac and ready to write.

Nice nib marked "Esterbrook 2314-M Relief Medium Made in USA". Hard to find stub nib!

Pen looks great; trim looks great. Looks almost new."

[Gerry]

You'll want to remove the old one, and measure it to find the size. I don't remember exactly, but I think all Estie's use the same size J bar. If in doubt, give Martin a call at Wood Bin - he sells the bars, and will advise the one required to fit your J.

 

If I don't miss my guess - 52mm will be fine...

 

Gerry

[ayjayar]

If I don't miss my guess - 52mm will be fine...

Thanks, Gerry. The Wood Bin site demonstrates how to measure the J bar. Indeed, mine is the 52 mm, as you suggested.

 

I appreciate your help with this.

[Kat]

Would this apply to all of the J series then? I have a J I got at an antique store that needs a new pressure bar, but the reason it needs it is that the old one is broken--hence no measuring!

[Dillo]

Hi,

 

I guess so, just grab a 52MM J-bar and get off to work!