Hi,

Recently bought a Pelikan 400NN cheaply on Ebay has a fine nib and wondered how it would write with a medium one. Anyway the nib unit seemed quite stiff when I tried to unscrew it, so soaked it for a while and tried again.

This time the nib started to move, but after a few turns, the nib and feed came out leaving the collar still firmly screwed in the neck of the pen. I managed to push/twist the nib and feed back in, filled up and got too much ink flow, the pen flooded badly. After a few attempts I managed to remove and adjust the nib and feed so that at the moment it seems to be writing OK (but will have to use a bit more to see if this is a 'permanent' fix).

If it carries on working OK, I wil probably leave well alone, but just in case, does anyone know a way of unscrewing the collar from the pen, so that I can either fit it to the feed or replace the nib with another one. I don't think that it will come out with the nib/feed as it seems fairly solidly seized.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Hi Andy,

I think some of the old 400s don't have a screw fit, but a friction fit; also, if I am not mistaken, Rick Propas is all for removign the nib by pulling it rather than screwing it out. The collar around the nib and feed may actually break from too much strain if ink has clogged the threads up.

So, pulling them out, and reseating them properly, friction fitted, which, as you found out, is a bit of a pain, is apparently the recommended way sometimes.

Warm regards, Wim

Wim,

Thanks, it still seems to be working, no flooding anyway, so I will probably just leave it rather than risk breaking the pen and only try to remove the nib again if it stops working.

Andy

I had a similar issue with a fleabay 400 NN - the collar stayed and the nib came out - I ended up removing the collar (it was right there and visible - so this one was not a friction fit - rather just a plastic collar), The collar was broken. I took a 200 series nib - removed the metallic collar and gave it to the 400 series nib. worked out rather nicely. BTW - the collars are not easily had, and the cheapest way is to buy 200 series nibs and use their collars for this purpose.

badrsj,

How did you get your collar out? It looked like there was something there, looked as if it might have had a seam or a split in it. I will probably leave it alone so long as the pen keeps working, but keep thinking I should be able to get it out and put in another nib.

Thanks for the tip about the collar from a 200 nib, I was thinking about getting another 14ct for one of my 200s which has a steel nib at the moment and could use the collar from the old steel nib.
.

I got the collar out essentially by inserting the nib and the feed again - and then twisting it out - with the collar - which did not come out all the way - as it was cracked in the 1st place. Note also that I use a small dab of silicone grease on the threads of my Pelikans and Esterbrooks. The ink can act as a good adhesive - over years and the threads can get damaged.
In the above case lots of soaking in warm water about 1/2 a cupful preferably with a couple of drops of detergent (the dish washing type) may help loosen the threads. Note that the water should not be too hot or will damage the plastic section. Also you are very right in leaving the pen well alone if it is working fine for now

Thanks,

If I have any problems, I will try soaking again, must admit I have already started using a dab of silicone grease on y other Pelikans, although this is the first I have had any problems with.