What's the best way to un-jam it? I've been fighting with this one for a couple of hours now and can't seem to make any progress other than jacking up the ferrule (which won't seem to loosen up).
For reference, this is a nice example of a chased sterling silver pencil that takes 1.1mm lead. It's one of the ones where you can propel the lead, but can't retract it.
I'm hoping that I don't have to resort to drilling it out, just because I'm leary of messing with the internals of the ferrule. Any suggestions to gently "un-gunk" the business end would be very helpful.
Full Version: Eversharp Pencil: Jammed up pretty good...
Ultra sonic vibration... turn the lead to dust?
Been there done that - after 15 minutes' worth in the bath, I decided that the pencil has (for the moment) won. More news forthcoming. I've got a Dremel sitting on my desk and that lead has a date with doom. That pencil WILL write again (and I will look very stylish doing it!).
Hi Ryan,
forget the Dremel for now but keep a drill in hand, literally. Find the drill that is a clearance fit in the ferrule i.e.<1.0mm, if you have a spare chuck or similar or even wrap tape round the shank to increase its diameter and give you some grip, insert the drill in into the ferrule and start rotating it, every so often take the drill out and turn the pencil point down and tap on a sheet of paper, on top of a piece of card if you are using a metal worktop. Gradually the lead will fall out as dust, it sounds labourious but unless you are going to mount the pencil in a rigid carrier in a vise so that you don't ding or crimp it and use the Dremel or even then better than that a hand drill it is safer for the pencil and your fingers.
As there is nothing plastic in the pencil and as you are going to get it apart anyway, put it in a ziploc, squeeze the air out and immerse the whole thing in very hot water, this might loosen the ferrule enough to unscrew.
Best of luck with it.
Cheers, John
forget the Dremel for now but keep a drill in hand, literally. Find the drill that is a clearance fit in the ferrule i.e.<1.0mm, if you have a spare chuck or similar or even wrap tape round the shank to increase its diameter and give you some grip, insert the drill in into the ferrule and start rotating it, every so often take the drill out and turn the pencil point down and tap on a sheet of paper, on top of a piece of card if you are using a metal worktop. Gradually the lead will fall out as dust, it sounds labourious but unless you are going to mount the pencil in a rigid carrier in a vise so that you don't ding or crimp it and use the Dremel or even then better than that a hand drill it is safer for the pencil and your fingers.
As there is nothing plastic in the pencil and as you are going to get it apart anyway, put it in a ziploc, squeeze the air out and immerse the whole thing in very hot water, this might loosen the ferrule enough to unscrew.
Best of luck with it.
Cheers, John
What John says.
(See adjacent thread on my similar problem with a Yard-O-Led silver pencil).
Use a 1mm drill (commonly available size).
Pencil lead is just graphite in china clay - soft stuff - and can be drilled out easily by hand. Use a pin vice if you must. 15 minutes should do it.
(See adjacent thread on my similar problem with a Yard-O-Led silver pencil).
Use a 1mm drill (commonly available size).
Pencil lead is just graphite in china clay - soft stuff - and can be drilled out easily by hand. Use a pin vice if you must. 15 minutes should do it.
Thanks for the suggestions, gang. I don't have a 1mm bit, but I'm fixin' to get one soon.
Here's another one. I think that the top cap of the pen separates into two pieces, to expose the eraser?
For reference, the pen is nearly identical to this one.
Here's another one. I think that the top cap of the pen separates into two pieces, to expose the eraser?
For reference, the pen is nearly identical to this one.
Hi Ryan,
The top mushroom unscrews to expose the lead magazines and the shell of the mushroom pulls off but it can be a very tight fit and on one or two it just doesn't want to move at all,on these there doesn't appear to be enough depth between the visible bottom of the inside threaded hole and the outside of the mushroom (4mm) to fit an eraser.
When pulling or attempting to pull the mushroom shell off hold the lead magazine between finger and thumb but don't grip the shell to hard as these can be a bit thin and delicate.
Cheers, John
The top mushroom unscrews to expose the lead magazines and the shell of the mushroom pulls off but it can be a very tight fit and on one or two it just doesn't want to move at all,on these there doesn't appear to be enough depth between the visible bottom of the inside threaded hole and the outside of the mushroom (4mm) to fit an eraser.
When pulling or attempting to pull the mushroom shell off hold the lead magazine between finger and thumb but don't grip the shell to hard as these can be a bit thin and delicate.
Cheers, John
Worked on it for an hour yesterday, but to no avail. Can't get what's left of the lead out of there, either. Haven't found a 1mm bit, either. Frustrating, but in the end, I know it'll be worth it (it'd better be!).
Tried the ultrasonic trick for another 40 minutes yesterday too, but that lead is the toughest stuff I've ever seen.
Tried the ultrasonic trick for another 40 minutes yesterday too, but that lead is the toughest stuff I've ever seen.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.