Good morning,
I have a 58 where the tab has broken off the end of the lever. I still have the tab, and have been told that it could be "laser welded" back on to the lever. So far, I have not found anyone who can do this work, so I'm wondering if having the lever replaced is a better solution. If so, is there a source for old levers other than finding a donor pen? Is the process of replacing the lever difficult?

Thanks for any advice or leads. Best regards, greg

Sorry to hear about this. Judging by the very helpful responses I got in my thread about restoring a #58, a donor pen is normally the best thing. But ask around some of the recommended dealers/restorers who may be able to help (perhaps some other may be able to list them, as I don't have any info with me). But, as my #58 restoration has been a failure so far what with combination of nib damage and clip missing, I feel your pain and did a quick search. I have found this: http://www.1001pens.com/ProdDesc.asp?cat=27&id=pn1211

Don't know what you think of the price but it may be a good backup plan to nick the lever off it (I think it's a Conway 58? It doesn't say, just says #58, but it looks to be one).

Also, the lever may be the same as other models to give you a larger choice of part to hunt down. Again someone else may help here...

Also spotted this: http://www.1001pens.com/ProdDesc.asp?cat=27&id=pn0223 It's a cheaper 28 barrel, but when I asked a dealer about a #58 clip I was told that clips from a 28 (and other models) should fit - so perhaps a 28 lever would fit.

Also, don't rule out eBay. As for the process of actually replacing a lever, I have no idea but I don't think it would be very hard.

Hope some of that may help...
Patrick

Greg,

I would say welding is totally out of the question, given the relatively flimsy nature of the material and the high stress of raising the lever. Replacement is the best option but donor pens are generally required and much sought after. However, this may be your lucky day, depending on how fussy you are about condition! I have a spare 58 lever and pivot ring but the plating is not in great condition (wear along the edges and high spots of the tab), though if you wanted you could get it re-plated. E-mail me with your address if you would like it.

Replacement procedure is basically simple but may need a little practice! First remove the section (friction fit), then remove the pressure bar, which should be a floating bar held onto the lever by flanges on the lever running in channels each side of the bar. To remove it, grasp it with long nose pliers and pull it firmly straight out. The lever pivots on a sprung ring that sits in a groove inside the barrel. To remove the lever, use a pair of fine nose pliers to push down a little on the lever and rotate it through 90 degrees. This will free the pivot ring from the groove and allow you to remove the assembly through the cut-out. Replacement procedure is just the reverse of all the above steps making sure you get the ring back into the groove correctly.

Andy

Hi Greg,

The levers from several models will fit the 58, off the top of my head the 76 & 55 levers will fit and probably several others, there are several spares dealers in Uk who carry spare levers, Magna Repair Services for one but they are not cheap (about $20) although if you ask a few people you might find one at sensible money, I have looked but I don't have a spare just now.

The lever is held in place, not by a single strand of steel wire but by several turns of thinner wire and this can be a little more difficult to extract from its groove but the technique is much the same.

Cheers, John

Thanks to everyone for the advice and to Andy for the part. I'll let you know how it goes.
Best, greg