So before I go to the garage workshop and stick in in the Record Vice and use an oil filter wrench

I am aware that the nib on a Sonnet unscrews complete with feed? But just trying gently on my original Sonnet, light force does not seem to budge anything. So does this need a bit of heat, soaking in water or what.

I plan on buying a new nib for one Sonnet, but want to use the nib from that in another pen. Nothing wrong with the nibs, just want a change to an Italic.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

PS I have a bench grinder in the garage too, would you use the fine or the coarse wheel to grind the nib with?

Hi Jim. I bought a couple of nibs for my Sonnets from Parker in Janesville, WI. Each nib came in a tube that also acts as a nib wrench. One end cap of the tube is for removing, the other is for installing. I didn't have to soak or heat anything to do the exchange. Good luck.

Larry

That's a no brainer, Jim. The coarse wheel, of cource. You don't want to spend all day at the job do you?

Hi,

I would not use a bench grinder, much less the coarse wheel. If that is the case, your nib will be gone lickety-split.

Dillon

Residual ink causes the Sonnet nibs to get stuck.
Usually soaking would work.
Heat might help to as it helps expand the section first.
A section pliers might help distribute the load a bit better.
Good luck

az

I suggest using your teeth. They are a handy-dandy wrench, bottle opener and in a pinch they can probably take the place of that bench grinder!

Just kidding of course. I think soaking is prudent. I soak just about everything when I work with pens (haven't run into any exotic 'plastics' yet). I know this is "bad form" but it hasn't gone wrong for me yet. Not to hijack a thread, but can anyone tell me what conditions make soaking contraindicated?

Casein and hard rubber are the two that come immediately to my mind.

OK so it is in for a good soaking in plain filtered water in a plastic mug so nothing gets damaged.

I am ordering a medium Italic nib unit and hope it comes with the gadget that Larry got, else it will have to be a handful of tissue and ever so gently. Might give it a bit of warm up with the hairdryer first though.

But if that fails I have a Bullfinch gas torch in the garage, now surely that is gonna shift something? Also can you use a MIG welder to retip a nib and if so what wire/gas combo is required?

Jim

PS Thanks for all the serious help folks!!

Hi,

I think this is getting a little drastic... Grab the nib in a piece of cloth and turn it 35 degrees. That should loosen it, and no, I you cannot retip nibs with a standard welder. The material used for tipping is Ruthenium. If you want to get it tipped, send it to John Mottishaw. Grinding nibs starts at 2500 grit at least. Grinding is done on micromesh film, not a bench grinder.

Dillon

Psst...Dillon...he's just kidding

Hi,

I know...just trying to scare him.

Dillon

Can I come out from the cupboard under the stairs now?

J

Our little niece grinds her teeth at night, which makes all my muscles contract when she sleeps over at our place (you can hear it two rooms far, doors closed)

Now... that threads makes me want to try to slip a few nibs between her jaws at bed time next time, to see if she can stub them